Have integrity

As a coach, I often work with clients to identify their values and to find ways to live and work in accordance with them.

Values matter. They represent you at your very best and so they offer a Framework For Being that feels real and rich and honest and accessible and deeply satisfying.

Sometimes, operating in alignment with your values is easy: maybe you’re on holiday, spending time with friends and family, listening, playing, reading, running, connecting. But other times it can be really, really challenging: you’re under extreme pressure at work, the kids are sick, you lost the document, you hardly remember that mythical thing called sleep, you’ve received some scary test results and the car just broke down. Again.

Having integrity, being true to who you are and showing up as the person you want to be, is important when it’s easy. It matters every bit as much [perhaps more?] when when the choice to do so is much harder:

• You value kindness: so treat yourself gently, even when you make a huge mistake
• You value authenticity: so write your own words, even if it would be easier to take theirs
• You value time with family: so decide to put your phone away, even when the kids are really driving you crazy
• You value honesty: so have that difficult conversation, even when it might leave you feeling vulnerable
• You value commitment: so keep working at the relationship, even when it’s a slog
• You value courage: so keep visiting them, even though you cry every time you leave

Living by your values takes effort. Most [read: all] of us won’t get it perfect every time. And that’s ok.

Just knowing what your values are, keeping them front of mind so that you can consciously and consistently make choices that align with them is enough. More than enough.

Tags: life-coaching, Melbourne