Why Integrity Is Important And Some Examples Of Integrity
- Integrity means being honest with yourself.
- Actions + Beliefs + Values = Integrity
- Integrity leads to high levels of self esteem and self respect!
Have you ever told yourself one thing, and then went on to do something else? If so, then chances are you lack integrity.
In case you don’t know what the meaning of integrity is, integrity simply means being honest with yourself. Or more specifically, doing what you say you are going to do, and believing in what you say you believe in.
For example, if you told someone that you value honesty in a person. But then became upset when they told you their honest opinion of you, that would be a lack of integrity.
Just like telling someone that you believe in treating everyone with respect, and then becoming angry at the sales clerk because they are taking too long with your shopping.
In both of these examples what you said you believed in, was different from what you actually did, and therefore you displayed a lack of personal integrity.
Honesty And Integrity
So the key components of integrity are honesty and congruency. When your actions are congruent (the same as) with your beliefs and values, then you have integrity. When they are not, you lack integrity.
Is there a difference between honesty and integrity? Well, yes and no. You can be honest and say what you believe in, but if you do not follow up your honesty with appropriate action, then you would display a lack of integrity.
For example, if someone asked you if helping homeless animals was a good thing, and you replied “yes, I believe all people should help animals find a home”.
But later you make no effort to help homeless animals when you had the chance to, then you would display a lack of integrity. So whilst you can have integrity with honesty, it is just as easy to lack integrity.
Integrity And Self Respect
So why is having integrity important anyway? I mean after all, if you tell yourself one thing and then go do another, you are only lying to yourself and most likely nobody will find out. So what’s the big deal?
Well the truth is, when you lie to yourself it is a big deal. When you justify lying to yourself by thinking that you are the only person who will know about the lie, you automatically imply that your judgment is unimportant, and that only the judgment of others is counts.
This results in a diminished sense of self respect, and over time you will trust yourself less and less, and eventually not at all.
So in reality the only person you are deceiving, and ultimately harming, is yourself. A loss of personal integrity is therefore self invalidating, and a sign of a mind rejecting itself.
The Social Importance Of Integrity
This last point highlights the social importance of integrity. If you don’t respect yourself, and you can’t trust yourself, then how can you expect others trust or respect you?
Think about the people who you trust and respect. What do they have in common? Most likely they are people who do what they say, and say what they mean. In other words, they are congruent. They are people of integrity.
However, if you meet someone who tells you they will do one thing, then they either never do it, or do something else. How likely are you to trust that person? Probably not very much. This same effect of honesty and congruency that make up integrity, also applies to you.
So if you want to develop self respect and a trust in yourself, stop deceiving yourself thinking you are “getting away with it” because nobody knows your “little secret”.
In the end they will know your secret, because your body language will scream out loud that you lack self respect, and ultimately your actions will show that you can’t be trusted.
Be A Person Who Always Shows Integrity
So just remember, most of the issues of integrity you will face in life will be small. Such as saying you will do something for somebody, or saying you will give them something.
Whether or not you choose to be a person who shows integrity in these situations, may not seem like a big deal at the time.
But throughout your life they will have a cumulative effect, and so all of your actions, no matter how big or small, will ultimately affect your sense of self.
So from now on, make it your goal to be a person who shows integrity in all situations. If you say you are going to do something, make sure you do it.
Over time you will be rewarded with a greater sense of self respect and trust, not only from yourself, but also from others.
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