Does integrity mean just telling the truth?

When I was in my early thirties, I decided to take up the game of golf. During my first year on the golf course, my scores were sometimes almost twice as high as those of some of my playing partners. Since I was the ultimate perfectionist, this was extremely embarrassing to me. As we called out our scores after each hole, I would be tempted to lower my score by one or two points so that it wouldn't sound quite as bad as it was. A tempting voice inside me would say, "Make up a number. They probably can't count that high anyway." I would think about it and finally answer the voice, saying, "But I would know it, and I am the one who has to live with myself."

What does integrity mean to you? In the case of my golf score, I considered integrity to be an honesty issue. Although honesty contributes to integrity, there are more aspects to integrity than just telling the truth. Integrity is unique for each of us.

As you are thinking about your level of integrity, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I tell the truth?
• Is my word my bond?
• Do my promises have value?
• Do I do what I say I am going to do?
• Am I committed to commitment?

According to the late Thomas Leonard, founder of Coach University, integrity is the result of having the following three conditions in one's life:

• Resolution of all important matters This includes the correction of any wrongs, making any personal changes necessary to ensure one's life works well, and fully handling every task and job that one decides to do.
• Alignment and balance in life Alignment, in this case, means that our goals are aligned with our values and priorities, our actions are based on what is true for us, and our commitments are aligned with our vision or purpose in life.
• Responsibility In speaking about integrity, the word "responsibility" means being responsible for that which occurs in one's life. This includes handling whatever happens and making necessary adjustments to prevent this type of problem in the future. Thomas Leonard said that responsible people do not blame, complain, or point fingers at other people. They just handle the situation. I agree.

The following exercise will help you to work on and increase your personal integrity:

Make a list of the ways that your life is currently "in integrity." Pat yourself on the back, because you are on your way to success as you strengthen your personal integrity.

Make a list of the ways that you are not now "in integrity." In addition to thinking about honesty, ask yourself questions like the following:

• Do I pay my bills on time?
• Do I do what I say I will do? (For example, if you tell someone that you will call him or her, do you make that call?)
• Do I meet my time commitments?
• Am I working at the right job for me?
• Am I associating with people who are uplifting and positive?

Analyze the source of each item on your list from number 2 above. If these items are important to you, be sure to resolve all of them before moving to the next step. You might start by listing the consequences that result from each of them. Then write the changes you would need to make in order to eliminate the consequences and bring integrity to these parts of your life.

Make a commitment to start living a life of integrity, as you define it. Your integrity is unique to you, and you are the one who will decide what it means for you. You need to commit to commitment.

Let go of at least ten "shoulds," "coulds," "oughts," and "wills." In doing this, realize that it is impossible to be all things to all people.

Involve a coach or another strong person to help you. Find an individual who is interested in partnering with you to help you to improve your personal integrity. This should be someone who truly cares about your well-being, wants the best for you, and is willing to tell you the truth.

Stop spending time with people who are not the best role models. You know who these people are. Concentrate on spending your time with those people who are uplifting and from whom you receive the gift of positive energy.

Develop a realistic action plan for improving your personal integrity. Keep this action plan simple. Include elements that you can actually do, rather than things that might occur.

Personal integrity is a personal choice. The benefits of living in integrity are numerous. As people increase their level of integrity, they begin to become aware of the following in their life:

• More energy
• An effortlessness feeling about achieving the results they want
• Much less stress
• The attraction of more fulfilling people who are consistently reliable, empowering, loving, and inspiring
• A richer and more successful life

In Golden Nuggets, Sir John Templeton says, "Probably the greatest secret to peace of mind is living the life of personal integrity - not what people think of you, but what you know of yourself. If you remain true to your ethical principles, your personal integrity can become an attractive beacon for success on every level. Listen carefully to the inner promptings of conscience and live peacefully."

When I interviewed people for my books on success, I asked them to rate each of my success principles on a scale of 1 to 5, depending on how critical the principle was to their success. They all rated integrity as a “5.”

Personal integrity is of utmost importance to success. It is your personal foundation on which you can build the person you want to be.

What does integrity mean to you?