The Power of Integrity: Accelerate and Maintain Achievements by Going Beyond Willpower

After years of teaching success and wealth principles, I have noticed an interesting correlation. Those who are able to maintain success or wealth have fully developed integrity. You may be thinking that you know of successful or wealthy people who are widely considered to be immoral. Please read on. Many, maybe even you, have achieved personal and professional goals only to regress back to undesirable states. One common thread in these regressions is the failure to continue doing basic things that initially led to success. In other words, there is a lack of integrity.

What is Integrity?

Integrity has been defined in many ways. Some say integrity is "honoring your word" or "doing what you agreed you would do when you agreed to do it." More often, I hear it associated with someone who is believed to be of high moral character. In my opinion, these definitions do not help you understand the significance of having integrity or provide real guidance for how to have it. Moreover, I believe integrity has nothing to do with one’s moral character. So, I’ll be using what I consider a more helpful definition.

As I define it, integrity is the conscious decision to set minimum acceptable standards of behavior with regard to a thing or situation. Having integrity means upholding those standards without unconsidered compromise.

How Do You Know If You Have Integrity?

You will know you have integrity when you no longer feel tempted to do or accept less than the minimum acceptable standards you’ve established. Having integrity is important in every aspect of life, from relationships and work to finances and nutrition. It is truly the difference between temporary and lasting success.

How Do You Develop Integrity?

Integrity, as I have defined it above, is not automatic for most. Most are prone to accept "less" when it is convenient. Some will fold at the slightest challenge. How do you begin to develop integrity so that you don’t settle or fold at a challenge? It starts with the use of willpower coupled with the intention to develop integrity.

Willpower, according to Webster’s dictionary, is the "ability and strength of mind to carry out one’s decisions." How is willpower different from integrity? Willpower is what you are using when you feel tempted, but don't do something that is contrary to a decision you’ve made or a principle you have. Integrity is what you are using when you don’t feel tempted in the first place.

Caution! Caution!

Willpower gets you started on the path. However, without having the intention of developing integrity, continued reliance on willpower can lead to feelings of deprivation. You are more likely to "cheat" when you feel deprived. The longer you feel deprived, the more significant your "cheating" may be and the harder it will be to get back on track. This is why having integrity, not willpower, must be the ultimate goal.

It is integrity that transforms your actions into a lifestyle. It is your lifestyle that maintains or destroys your success. So, set your intention to go from willpower to integrity. You’ll be transformed. I guarantee it!

Until my next post, keep making great decisions!
Sherrin

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