INTEGRITY.
What a great word.
But what is integrity? How does it impact your life and others around you?
To me, integrity is “being your word.”
If you say you’re going to do something, do it. If you say you’re going to be somewhere at noon, be there at noon. If you say you won’t cheat on someone, don’t cheat on someone. #beyourword
But what does it really take to bring integrity into your life?
It means not only DECIDING to live with integrity, but also CHOOSING integrity in each moment.
But let me be clear.
When I use the word integrity, I’m not talking about the “moral” use of the word. You get to be the judge of that. I’m simply talking about doing what you say you’re going to do no matter how small it may seem.
So, let’s try for just a week. Let’s try for one fabulous week to do EVERYTHING you say you are going to do. If you say you’re going to work out every day, do it.
If you say you’re going to be on time to meet your friend, leave early enough that you won’t be late even if there’s traffic.
And most importantly, do what you say you’ll do FOR YOU! It’s easier to hold yourself to your word when someone else is involved. But be truly mindful of the things you promise yourself, and then do them.#personalintegrity
Here are six little ways to up your integrity game this week:
1. Show up on time. For heaven’s sake, be where you say you’re going to be when you say you’ll be there. Even being five minutes late can throw off an entire day of auditions. If you can’t be on time, at least call to let the party know. But actually showing up on time is a lot easier. As a matter of fact, why not give yourself an extra 10-15 minutes to get somewhere this week? You might even show up early. And when you do, you will notice how much calmer you are. #bepunctual
2. Commit to not talking about others. Commit to a full week where you do not say a single unkind thing about another person or the business or your spouse. Gossip is rarely true, and even if it is, you don’t know the full story. Remember there is ALWAYS more than one side of the story, so don’t create another story about it. #gossipfreelife
3.Tell the truth. Don’t say, “Hey, let’s get together for coffee!” if you have absolutely no intention of doing it. The other person will certainly appreciate you saying, “I’d love to get together; however, this week I’m committed to finishing the screenplay I’m writing.” Not only will they appreciate your honesty, maybe you’ll even inspire them. (And then, actually spend the time writing that screenplay.) #sticktothetruth
4. Pay your bills. When you signed up for that credit card, you promised to pay it off. But of course the credit card company is hoping you won’t so they can make lots of money off of you. Paying your bills on time is crucial to be in financial integrity, and it’s important for your credit score too in case you want to borrow more money someday. So this week, pay any bills you owe… even if its just $20 to a friend who spotted you for lunch last week. #financialintegrity
5. Make this week a “complete” week. Use this week to finish all the things you started this month and didn’t actually finish. Complete every single one of them. Remember you said you going to _________. Do it. #completeweek
6. Make one direct commitment to yourself. Choose one thing you are going to do every single day this week that is totally for yourself. It might be that you are going to meditate for 15 minutes every day. Or that you will clean the dishes before you go to bed. Or you will not have a sip of alcohol or you will run one mile every day. Whatever. Choose something that is only for you and maintain your “word” to yourself. #committoyourself
For real accountability, write what you are committing to below.
Leslie Becker is an award-winning Broadway actress, writer and creator of The Organized Actor® and is passionate about inspiring, entertaining and educating others. www.OrganizedActor.com.
