The way of integrity

The question that has me thinking this week, from James Clear: If I keep doing what I am doing today for the next five years, will I end up with more of what I want or less of what I want? It aligns nicely with Martha Beck’s (my life coaching program teacher) latest book, called The Way of Integrity, which I’m currently studying.

One way to guarantee that your life is heading in the right direction is to give yourself an honesty challenge or what Beck calls “an integrity cleanse.” 

Step 1: Pay attention to everything that comes out of your mouth. How often is what you say a lie...maybe a small one, like “I’m great, thanks!”  or “Sorry, I was in a meeting!” 

Step 2: Stop lying, if not out loud, then at least to yourself. This will shine a light on what is not quite right in your life. Being  honest does not mean being hurtful. Consider the saying, “Say what you mean... Mean what you say... and don’t say it mean.”

Step 3: Commit to a time frame. “I will not tell one lie for the next 20 minutes.” Or, “I will not tell a lie for the next year.” 

Step 4: Begin living a more authentic version of your life.