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About How to Create a Personal Code of Ethics

A personal code of ethics is a way to explore the way you see yourself in relation to the world and other people, the beliefs you hold about living a good life, and how you would like to make sure you make good decisions and take good action on a daily basis. Creating one is not difficult, but to make it effective it must be meaningful enough to remember and follow.

Things You'll Need

  • Pen
  • Paper
  • Computer
  • Printer
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Instructions

  1. Using Self-Reflection to Create a Code of Ethics

    • 1

      Remember that Saint Thomas Aquinas said "...the perfection of virtue must be acquired by man by means of some kind of training." Reflect on the thought that a code of ethics will "put into writing those ideas and philosophies that are an essence of your life...a document which you can look to each day..as a reminder of what you believe in." Choose the paper and font you would like to use, or if you would like to handwrite it, and decide what place of importance you will want to store your code.

    • 2

      Write down who you believe yourself to be on scratch paper; if this is too difficult, write down how one of your good friends or family members would describe you. Write it in the third person and use affirmative sentences, such as "Michael is a hard-working and intelligent man who treats his clients like family."

    • 3

      Write down your personal beliefs on the same scratch paper. Decide what human characteristics are important to you: perhaps trust, integrity, and diligence.

    • 4

      Write down why you think you believe in these things as the last point on your rough draft notes. Think about where your ethical beliefs stem from--the Bible, Buddhist teachings, science, a specific book--to understand "how important each of your beliefs are to you." Quote from your source of inspiration and use it in your own code.

    • 5

      Create your own code of ethics as a clean, well-organized document that carries an air of importance. Use "I will" statements, such as "I will treat my clients with honesty and provide service to them as if they were family." Tailor your statements to your specific needs, goals and objectives.

    • 6

      Print out your code of ethics and keep it in a special place that you can return to easily. Read it as often as you need to reinforce these beliefs in yourself. Print several copies and keep them around you at all times if you find it especially hard to stick to your goals.

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