Clutter Busting Coach

...clearing clutter from your mind, body and space

The Importance of Integrity

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I am more than halfway through my year with integrity as my focus word.

I wish I could say that I have been working on this daily or even weekly, but if I did, I would be lying.  Life gets in my way, yet I keep recommitting to this because not only is the idea/goal of my annual word focus something that I believe in there is also the reality of life and that we need to keep trying.

There are so many reasons why integrity is important for us and in life in general. While integrity does still exist today, it is not as prevalent as it was in times gone by. Integrity could be defined by saying it is the type of person you are in your inner self when no one else is looking. It is the essence of who you choose to be when hard choices press you and there are some choices that may not be as moral. Let’s talk about some reasons why it is important. [Read more…]

Integrity Check in

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Happy May! Another month and another chapter. An opportunity to bloom where your or planted or move you roots.

As Jim Rohn says, “If you don’t like where you are, move! You are not a tree.”  I love that quote. It reminds me that I have choices and that it is up to me to take action. That is what a new month also does for me… It helps me acknowledge the possibilities of what is yet to come.

In an article posted by Live Your True Story four simple habits were shared for living with integrity.  There were two that stood out for me which are making better choices and keeping your agreements.

I have no issue with keeping promises made to others, but I have always struggled with keeping promises to myself. This is especially true when it is about self-care and commitments that I have made to live a healthier life.

As for choices, it is always easier to make the choice in the moment for instant pleasure versus pausing to consider the long-term outcome of that choice. An example is choosing not to exercise today for any number of reasons or overindulging (substances, food, screen time, etc.).

So, I said that each month this year would have a theme around integrity. For me, this month it is focusing on keeping my commitment to myself by making better choices that support my agreements.

Also, this month I mentioned a paper purge challenge to start today. I must be honest that I got a bit of a head start last month when we had an opportunity to take part in a free shred event. And while a lot of decisions were made that allowed a big purge of financial papers, there is still more to do related to all the career and reference material I have on hand.

Join me this month in purging papers and getting control of paper clutter. And while we are at it lets commit to keeping agreements to ourselves.

Keys to Living with Integrity

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In  a previous post, I discussed the notion of “come as you are”. Is that living with integrity or is that being authentic? Or Is it a bit of both?

I came across this inspirational message about living a life with integrity. It is about living your life based on your values and keeping your commitments. It is about doing what is right and not what others think is right.

What commitment do you need to work on now?

Come as You Are

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Different. I have always felt different. The odd “man” out. Singled out as “teacher’s pet”, the “smart one” and “Miss Goody Two Shoes”.

I have felt alone (but not lonely). I have felt on the outside looking in. Trying to fit in or find my place. An introvert that likes her space and to be in control is a tough combination and can be perceived by others as being too good or aloof. Throughout high school, I shifted from one group to another, never feeling secure in my position in each. I acknowledge that much of this has to do with my insecurities, being a people pleaser and the challenge of being double promoted. In college, living at home while attending classes and trying to find my place there was the same thing. I just never felt “comfortable”. In retrospect I always felt judged…for being who I am…good at school and an overachiever (to people please). I felt like I needed to make excuses for being me.

At work, I have been in a lone position my whole career.  Always focused on achieving my goals and performing well in my role, I was challenged to make time to form work friendships. Over the years, I have been blessed to have several relationships that have developed from work, but in many ways, I still try to be the friend they want me to be. In full disclosure, I do have one true friendship from high school. I think because we both were islands in a sea of others.  Yet it is that type of relationship that you can go for years without talking and pick up where you left off. So, to me that is different than this. [Read more…]

Authenticity versus Integrity

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According to WikiDiff, “As nouns the difference between integrity and authenticity. is that integrity is steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code while authenticity is the quality of being genuine or not corrupt from the original. “

The definition of authenticity according to WikiDiff is below as compared to the definition of integrity given previously.

Authenticity

Noun

  • The quality of being genuine or not corrupted from the original.
    • I hereby certify the authenticity of this copy.
  • Truthfulness of origins, attributions, commitments, sincerity, and intentions.
    • The authenticity of this painting is questionable.
  • (obsolete) The quality of being authentic (of established authority).

So, integrity is the active pursuit of one’s self-beliefs and making the choice to uphold them. Being authentic is being true to yourself…being you.

I thought it was worth sharing this as I went through some discernment in selecting my Word for 2021. I decided on integrity because I felt the need to review my mission and look at who I am and who I want to be…. who knows but it is looking like authentic might be the 2022 word?