Integrity is a word we use to describe a state of wholeness. For example, when a building is built on a strong foundation with plenty of steel beams and high grade materials to withstand virtually any disaster, we say it is a building of high structural integrity. When a person does everything that is in harmony with who they really are, we say the person is a person of integrity. I tell my kids all the time, “your integrity is the most important thing you have and only you can screw it up”.
Integrity is more than just honesty. It’s about more than right vs. wrong. It’s about being integrated, so that all the parts of your life and yourself are cooperating smoothly to honor your best interests. As business leaders and entrepreneurs, it is crucial that we become aware of what integrity is, determine how much we actually need and how to get enough. Businesses run by leaders of high integrity are more sustainable and successful.
Where are you out of integrity in your life? What are the things that are hurting you, holding you back, people or places you are hiding beyond, systems that are missing, things that you are doing that just don’t work, etc. Are you in the wrong job, living in debt, misrepresenting yourself at times, over-promising results, spending time with a community that does not bring out your best?
How can we restore integrity or wholeness? Take a look at these 7 steps and make the time to complete them. It’s the most important thing you can do for yourself, your health, your relationships and your business!
7 Steps to Restore Integrity/Wholeness
- Make a list of the 10 ways you are currently not in integrity
- Get to the source of each and every item, resolve all fully
- Make a commitment to start living in integrity, as you see it
- Let go of at least 10 shoulds, coulds, woulds, oughts, and wills
- Stop spending time with people who are not the best models
- Eliminate adrenaline and other unhealthy “rushes” in your life
- Let go of everything that you know is not good for you
Restoring integrity is a process which adds richness to your life. You will create more energy for yourself, find effortlessness about achieving the results you want, and attract nicer more fulfilling people (and customers!) in your life who are reliable, empowering, loving and inspiring.
To be our best, we must be whole; that is, be responsible for our actions and inactions, respond fully to the lessons being offered to us, honor our bodies and our selves and respect the realities of the physical universe.
Thomas Leonard
Mandy Schumaker, President of Higher Performing People, is a former sales and management executive in the newspaper industry, who has extensive experience in executive coaching, leadership development, sales and marketing, facilitation and team building. She has a gift for helping executives and entrepreneurs maintain their focus and hold themselves and others accountable, which in turn helps them to become more effective, productive leaders. Mandy can be reached at http://www.mandyschumaker.com or 207-653-6977
Article Source: 7 Steps for Restoring Integrity in Your Life
TWA was an airline bought out by American Airlines in 2001. I use to use the letters to illustrate a fundamental aspect of integrity. To walk in integrity our Thoughts, Words, and Actions must be in agreement. In other words, we do not talk one way and then act inconsistent with our speech.
On a side note, I am running posts by other coaches primarily for this reason. A coaching relationship should be a good fit. I know that some people will be coached by me – we click and establish the unique coach and client relationship. This will not happen with everyone and maybe one of the other coaches featured here might be a better fit.
Ah, Integrity! A great word with deep meaning. Recently, I had a conversation with myself. I encouraged myself to use more meaningful words in my conversations — words that would invoke deeper relevance and thought in the minds of the persons I talk to. Words that would express my truest and most honest feelings. This is why I enjoyed this article so much. As stated in it: “Integrity is more than just honesty . . more than right vs. wrong . . that all the parts of your life and yourself are cooperating smoothly to honor your best interests.” One of my great hopes is that I will be an example of this word “integrity”, as well as a role model of it for others in word and deed.