The 12 principles of karma are more than just philosophical guidelines—they can serve as practical tools for success in both life and business. They really do help you find creative and new ways to solve challenges. While all 12 principles have their own merit, some are especially relevant for anyone looking to grow as a professional, leader, or parent. Let’s focus on the most applicable ones in my experience (here are all 12 for you perfectionists) and see how they can guide you in work and life.
The Great Law of Cause and Effect: What You Give, You Get
In business, The Great Law might be the most straightforward and widely understood karmic principle: what you give is what you get. This applies to leadership, employee management, and customer service. When you invest in your team, treat customers with respect, and approach business with integrity, you’ll find success.
When I started my own company, I wasn’t expecting overnight success. But by putting in consistent effort (personal time = equity in the early days), being transparent with customers, and building genuine relationships, I saw the return on that investment over time. As a marketer, this principle drives our campaigns. Every piece of content you put out should offer value, because that’s what you’ll get back from your audience: trust, loyalty, and recognition.
The Law of Responsibility: Own Your Role in Success
As a business owner or leader, The Law of Responsibility is non-negotiable. If something in your business isn’t working—be it a broken process or a missed deadline—blaming others won’t get you anywhere. I always hated when a customer heard an Operations person say it was Sales fault. To the customer, it doesn’t matter - it’s the company’s fault. Companies that take responsibility for their outcomes and continuously improve are the ones that win our awards.
As a marketer, you are responsible for how your campaigns perform. If something isn’t resonating, you must own that and make adjustments. Blame-shifting won’t lead to progress—taking responsibility will. Dig in! Maybe ask your product managers for some help!
The Law of Growth: Change Starts With You
The Law of Growth teaches that personal and professional development starts from within. You can’t expect your business or team to grow unless you’re willing to evolve yourself. This applies not just to skill-building, but to mindset as well.
Growth happens when we keep learning and adapting. I have missed too many opportunities to learn new skills. The landscape is always shifting—new platforms, new algorithms, new consumer behaviors—and the only way to succeed is by growing with it. Growth is a lifelong process, and it starts with us.
The Law of Patience and Reward: Stay the Course
In both business and life, nothing worth having comes easy. The Law of Patience and Reward emphasizes that lasting success requires persistent effort over time. When I started my business, there were moments when I wanted immediate results, but I had to remind myself that the journey matters as much as the destination.
In marketing, this is especially true. Building a brand, gaining recognition, and earning trust take time. The most successful campaigns are not flash-in-the-pan; they are the result of thoughtful planning, consistent execution, and continuous improvement. We spend months marketing award programs and only know at the deadline if our work paid off. Nerve racking! Whether it’s developing a product or nurturing a client relationship, the best results come when you stay the course.
The Law of Connection: Every Piece Matters
The Law of Connection is about understanding that everything is linked—past, present, and future. In business, this means that every decision we make today has an impact on the future of our company and team.
Understanding this law is critical when running multi-channel sales and marketing campaigns. No single tactic works in isolation. Your email campaigns, social media efforts, and content marketing must all work together, because they’re interconnected. If one piece isn’t aligned, the whole campaign can fall short. This is a reminder to see the bigger picture.
The Law of Humility: You Can’t Fix What You Don’t Acknowledge
In business, as in life, The Law of Humility reminds us that growth only happens when we acknowledge our shortcomings. This is one of the toughest lessons but also one of the most transformative. If you’re not meeting your goals or if your team isn’t performing, the first step is admitting that something needs to change.
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way more than once. When a strategy isn’t working, there’s no room for pride—you have to recognize the issue, learn from it, and pivot. It’s the same in parenting. You can’t expect to raise responsible children without first recognizing where you might be falling short as a parent. Admitting mistakes isn’t a weakness; it’s the first step toward improvement. And when you fix it and it sticks...priceless.
Karma in Business and Life
By integrating these principles into how we operate as professionals, leaders, and parents, we can create more positive cycles of growth and fulfillment. Remember, every action has a ripple effect. What you put into the world will always find its way back to you! ✌️