The Power Of Integrity

Every day, you face the same two choices, over and over again:

1. I made a promise. Will I keep it?

2. I know what’s right. Will I do it?

When you answer ‘yes' to these questions, you’re living with integrity.

Integrity is one of those words: we all know what it means, but it's tricky to define. It's stumped scientists, too. A group of them analyzed all of the ways that integrity has been defined, finding at least five different definitions!

Eventually they settled on this definition: integrity is the alignment between your words and your actions.

It turns out that your choice to live with integrity affects your health and happiness, too.

A recent Harvard study found that people who live more moral lives actually have lower odds of depression! People who act with integrity have lower risk of lung disease, along with fewer limitations in mobility and daily activities as they aged.

To more deeply understand integrity, we can look to its origins. It is derived from the word ‘integer,’ meaning a whole number — not a fraction. If breaking promises, or saying one thing and doing another, fractures you, then integritykeeps you whole.

As you go through your day, ask yourself: Am I keeping myself whole?

Know that when you say yes, it matters. It adds up to great, positive changes in the world. I love how the poet Kenneth Koch describes its power:

AESTHETICS OF INTEGRITY

For every star in the sky

Someone is holding his ground.

To those who choose to hold your ground today, thank you for illuminating our world tonight.
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How To Figure Out Your Values In Life

Figuring out your values is one of the most important things you can ever do. Your value are like your compass in life. They guide you towards what matters most to you.

If you feel stuck in life… figuring out your values will help.

If you’re unhappy with your life… figuring out your values will help.

If you’re feeling lost… figuring out your values will help.

When you know what matters most to you, it becomes so much easier to change the way that you live, both on a daily basis and as you pursue your long-term goals. It helps you to identify what changes need to be made and how to do it. For example, if you value ‘relationships,’ but spend most of your time devoted to your career, you will likely experience unhappiness. Without knowing your values, though, this would be difficult to figure out.

This shift will bring you a sense of greater happiness, fulfillment, and meaning in life.

Below, you will find a list of values. We’ve also created a very special Values Wheel exercise that is designed to help you easily find your own values.

Download The Values Wheel PDF

A scientist named Shalom Schwartz has identified that there are ten universal values in life: Conformity, Tradition, Security, Power, Achievement, Hedonism, Stimulation, Self-Direction, Universalism, and Benevolence. I have grouped specific values underneath each of these.

To identify your values, start by selecting those that matter to you. Then, try to narrow them down, selecting no more than five and ideally two or three.

This new clarity on your values will help you to craft a happier life.

(For more insight into how to live by your values, you might enjoy our book NEW HAPPY: Getting Happiness Right in a World That’s Got It Wrong.)

Conformity

• Accountability

• Courtesy

• Meeting Societal Expectations

• Obedience

• Politeness

• Self-Discipline

Tradition

• Community

• Faith

• History

• Humility

• Legacy

• Loyalty

• Respect for Others

Security

• Approval

• Balance

• Belonging

• Fairness

• Harmony

• Health

• Stability

• Wealth

Power

• Authority

• Competition

• Control

• Fame

• Recognition

• Reputation

• Status

Achievement

• Accomplishment

• Competence

• Mastery

• Success

Hedonism

• Abundance

• Amusement

• Bliss

• Enjoyment

• Pleasure

Stimulation

• Adaptation

• Boldness

• Challenge

• Confidence

• Courage

• Creativity

• Determination

• Exploration

• Novelty

• Vitality

• Zest for life

Self-Direction

• Assertiveness

• Autonomy

• Authenticity

• Choice

• Freedom

• Focus

• Honesty

• Imagination

• Independence

• Open-mindedness

• Passion

• Self-awareness

• Self-respect

Universalism

• Accessibility

• Acceptance

• Awe

• Consciousness

• Diversity

• Environmentalism

• Heroism

• Inclusion

• Impact

• Interconnectedness

• Joy

• Justice

• Nature

• Peace

• Selflessness

• Transcendence

• Thoughtfulness

• Wonder

• Wisdom

Benevolence

• Affection

• Altruism

• Charity

• Compassion

• Forgiveness

• Giving

• Gratitude

• Kindness

• Teamwork

• Thoughtfulness
  
  

Once you have identified your values, write them down on a piece of paper or on your phone. It’s very important to keep them visible so that you can adjust your behaviors accordingly.

It can also be helpful to look at any gaps between your values and your current life. If you feel dissatisfied or frustrated with your life, it might be because there is a gap between how you want to be and how you are currently being. Look at how you spend your time: are you able to devote yourself to your values in a meaningful way? What might help you to move closer to embodying these values?

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A groundbreaking new approach based on a decade’s worth of research and brought to life with beautiful artwork, New Happy shows you the proven path to happiness.

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