How Integrity Can Make You Happier, Healthier, and More Successful

Hello wonderful people!

This blog post is on integrity, as it is such an important value/principle - especially if you want to live your Best Life.  

Integrity is a word that we often hear, but what does it really mean? And why is it important for living your Best Life?

What Is Integrity?

Integrity is the quality of being honest, trustworthy, and consistent in our actions and words.  It means that we act in accordance with our values and principles, even when no one is watching, or when it is difficult to do so.  It also means that we admit our mistakes, take responsibility for our choices, and respect the rights and opinions of others.

Integrity is not a fixed trait that we either have or don’t have.  It is a skill that we can develop, and practice over time.  It is also a choice that we make every day, in every situation, and with every person we interact with.

The Benefits of Integrity

Integrity has many benefits for our personal and professional lives, including: 

• Integrity builds trust.  When we are honest and consistent in our words and actions, we show others that we are reliable and trustworthy.  Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship, whether it is with our family, friends, colleagues, or customers.  People who trust us are more likely to support us, cooperate with us, and recommend us to others.
• Integrity boosts confidence.  When we live with integrity, we know that we are doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.  We don’t have to worry about being exposed, or ashamed of our actions.  We can be proud of ourselves, and our achievements. Confidence is a key ingredient for success in any endeavor, as it helps us overcome challenges, take risks, and pursue our goals.
• Integrity enhances happiness.  When we live with integrity, we are more likely to be satisfied with our lives, as we are living according to our values and purpose.  We are not compromising our true selves, or betraying our conscience.  We are also more likely to attract positive people and experiences into our lives, as we are radiating authenticity and positivity. Happiness is not only a pleasant emotion, but also a state of well-being that benefits our physical and mental health.
• Integrity improves performance. When we live with integrity, we are more focused and productive, as we are not distracted by guilt, fear, or doubt; we are more creative and innovative, as we are not afraid to express our ideas and opinions; and lastly, we are more resilient and adaptable, as we are able to learn from our mistakes and feedback. Performance is not only measured by our results, but also by our own personal growth and improvement.

How to Cultivate Integrity

Cultivating integrity is not always easy, especially in a world that is full of pressures, expectations, and distractions.  However, there are some steps that we can take to cultivate integrity in our daily lives, such as:

• Identify your values and principles. The first step to cultivating integrity is to know what you stand for, what you believe in, and what you care about.  You can do this by reflecting on your past experiences, your role models, your aspirations, and your moral dilemmas.  I have created a free mini-course (4 short modules) which can assist you in clarifying your own values and principles.  Journaling may also assist with clarity if you are unsure.  
• Align your actions and words with your values and principles.  The second step to cultivating integrity is to act and speak in ways that are consistent with your values and principles.  You can do this by setting goals that are aligned with your values and principles, by making plans and strategies to achieve them, and by monitoring and evaluating your progress and outcomes. You could make notes in a journal each night to help keep track of progress.  This could also be helpful to review over time.
• Be honest and transparent with yourself and others.  The third step to cultivating integrity is to be truthful and open in your communication and behavior.  You can do this by admitting your mistakes, acknowledging your feelings, expressing your needs, and sharing your opinions.   You also need to avoid lying, exaggerating, or hiding the truth, even if it is uncomfortable or inconvenient.  For example, if you make a mistake, admit it and apologize, instead of denying it or blaming others.
• Respect and appreciate the integrity of others.  The fourth step to cultivating integrity is to recognize and value the integrity of other people.  You can do this by listening to their perspectives, understanding their motivations, appreciating their contributions, and supporting their choices.

How to Practice Integrity

Integrity is not something that we are born with, or that we can buy.  It is something that we develop and practice through our choices and actions.  Some ways that we can practice integrity in our daily lives include:

• Be honest.  Honesty is the foundation of integrity, and telling the truth, to ourselves and others, as noted earlier.  Honesty can help us avoid conflicts, misunderstandings, and regrets, as well as build trust and credibility.  To be honest, we need to be aware of our thoughts and feelings, and express them clearly and respectfully.  
• Be consistent.  Consistency is the evidence of integrity - acting in accordance with our values and principles, as mentioned earlier.  To be consistent, we need to follow through on our clear and specific intentions and plans, as well as aligning our thoughts, emotions, and actions, and not being hypocritical or contradictory.
• Be respectful and compassionate.  Respect and compassion are the expression of integrity.  It means treating yourself and others with kindness, respect, and compassion, and taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional health.  Respect and compassion can help us improve our relationships, resolve conflicts, and enhance our self-esteem and happiness. To be respectful and compassionate, you need to be empathetic, and attentive to the feelings and needs of yourself and others, and respond appropriately.  For example, even if you dislike or disagree with someone, if you have a different opinion, you can share this politely and constructively, instead of being dismissive or unkind.
• Be courageous.  Courage is the catalyst of integrity.  It means doing the right thing, even when it is difficult or unpopular.  It also means standing up for what we believe in, and not being afraid to voice our opinions, or challenge the status quo.  Courage is not only about facing our fears, but also about following our dreams.  It means pursuing our passions, and not settling for less than what we deserve, and aiming toward living our Best Life.
• Be humble and open-minded.  Humility and open-mindedness are indicators of integrity, as they mean being modest, and willing to learn from yourself and others.  Humility and open-mindedness can help us grow and improve, accept feedback and criticism, and embrace diversity and change - as well as prevent arrogance and ignorance.   To be humble and open-minded, we need to be aware of our strengths and weaknesses, and acknowledge them honestly.  We also need to avoid being defensive or stubborn, and be open to new ideas and experiences.  For example, if you don’t know something, admit it and ask for help, instead of pretending or assuming.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this blog post, expanded on your understanding of integrity, and learned how we can cultivate and practice integrity to help us live our Best Lives.  Integrity is a quality that we can consciously choose to practice – by being honest, trustworthy, consistent, respectful, and courageous - in our words and our actions. 

Integrity is one of the most important values that we can have, which can affect every aspect of our lives.  It is also a powerful tool that can help us live our Best Lives, by building trust, boosting confidence, enhancing happiness, and improving performance.  By following the tips in this blog post, we can start maintaining and enhancing our integrity today, and be ready to face any challenge that life throws at us.

Our free mini-course The Values Code: Unlocking Your Best Self goes further into core values -  including the basics of what they are, and how important they are - as well as how you can consciously choose your own values, and then align your life with them, so you are living your life according to your own consciously selected core values.  It is a great a chance to review and refresh your values, and learn how to utilize them to your advantage, on your Best Life journey.  

If you'd like to receive more hints and tips on how to live your Best Life, please subscribe to my newsletter.  You’ll also get access to exclusive content, offers, and giveaways that I only share with my subscribers.  Don’t miss this opportunity to join a community of like-minded people who are passionate about living their Best Life.

You might also like some of our other blogs, for some additional tips and information to assist us on our journey to living our Best Life.

- How to Set Boundaries with Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere: A Kind and Gentle Approach 

- How Helping Others Can Transform Your Life and Relationships

- Master Your Mind: Easy Tips to Cultivate a Positive Mindset 

Thank you for reading, and I hope your life is filled with love and laughter until I see you in my next blog!

References/Further Reading 

https://www.wikihow.com/Show-Integrity

https://www.success.com/9-tips-to-help-you-strengthen-your-integrity/

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/integrity-at-work

https://www.michaelpage.com.au/advice/career-advice/productivity-and-performance/what-integrity-workplace

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hope-resilience/202104/becoming-people-and-leaders-of-integrity