Why Have Integrity?

I believe that one of the best self-interest attributes a person can possess is integrity. A lot of people may not see it as a principle of self-interest because there is so much corruption where people make a lot of money and gain a lot of power.

I pose the question, “What is in your best interest?” I continually learn the lesson that by doing what I say I will do, I gain more in life than when I do not. Not only do others trust me more, I trust myself more. I improve my opinion of myself.

How Does Integrity Help Me?

When I trust myself, I feel more empowered to try new things. I can take risks that I might not otherwise feel that I can take due to fear of how others or I look at myself. Having the surety that I know I do what I say propels me forward. As I choose to do what I say I will do, I learn to follow a path of action. I get more done.

Learning to trust myself, I also learn to forgive myself when I come up short. If I tell myself constantly that I do what I say I will do, I do it. I know that mistakes happen, but that is not who I am. Mistakes stop defining my life, they define the path I follow to what I really want.

Feeling comfortable with myself helps others to feel comfortable around me. You know what it is like to be around someone who is confident in himself. He is not arrogant, he just knows he can get things done. It is a pleasure to be around someone like that. At least if you have trust in yourself. When you lack that trust, confident people can really get under your skin.

If you find yourself in that situation, recognize it and acknowledge that you have something to work on. It does not mean that you are bad. Stop that thinking now. Recognition is an awesome tool in your tool-belt of success. You cannot change what you cannot see. As you seek to see where you are today, you will find things in your past that have formed those patterns. Congratulations! You are now seeing more clearly and can grasp a new opportunity.

Take Control

Now, are you going to tell yourself that you are not good enough to change that, or are you going to tell yourself that you have the integrity to do it right next time and then assess how you did? Just because you fall short today does not mean that you are a failure. Failure is defined by you quitting. If you don’t stop, you have not failed. You are still working to get the goal so long as you don’t stop. There will be mistakes along the way, but you do not have to own them as who you are, only as where you have been.

Think of it this way. Integrity means owning that you made a mistake, but it does not mean that you are a mistake. In fact, it would mean that you recognize that you are not a screw up. You are magnificent. No matter what mistakes you make in life, you are still magnificent. You have the ability to change and you can choose today to change and then act on that choice. That is extremely powerful. Will you choose to see yourself that way? Will you trust yourself enough to actually do something about it? Do you need support to develop that mindset?

As I observe the lives of my two grandfathers, I see two different mindsets. One never got past how he and others saw him. The other got past the mistake and tragedies that beset his life to create a pretty wonder life and family. I honor both of them for the examples I have gained from them. The choice over which path I follow is mine, just as my father and mother chose. I like digging for those lessons in my family as they make the steps I take more clear and profitable.

Seek Help

If you recognize that you want to take steps to change what you are doing in your life, seek help. Mentors are great at helping to create the mindset of success that gets you out of the rut of repeating the same mistakes. I highly recommend that you find one and start your transformation. If you would like my assistance to start or continue your path to success, let me know. You can contact me and let me know what you are looking to accomplish. I would love to help you.