Reflection: What would it mean to you to uncover your Standards of Integrity and Life s Intentions?

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1 Finding Meaning and Relevance: Your Standards of Integrity and Life s Intentions People tend to be most fulfilled in their life when they are living in accordance with their values and purpose. When we don t do this, we often feel frustrated and dissatisfied with ourselves and our life. Through coaching you will uncover your values and intentions, and develop and accomplish goals that are a reflection of what has meaning and relevance for you. Two ways to discover what has meaning and relevance are through our Standards of Integrity and our Life s Intentions. What are Standards of Integrity? Standard has two meanings: 1) Something of value. 2) A type of flag or banner that you fly in front of you. It s what you stand for. Standards of Integrity are the core values that you cherish and reflect who you really are. They are the basic desirable qualities you possess that give you meaning and relevance. You don t have to invent them because they already exist within you! When you act in accordance with these qualities, you feel a sense of well being. You experience satisfaction and fulfillment. Integrity means to be whole. Therefore, when your actions reflect your Standards of Integrity, you have a sense of wholeness. You know that all is well. What is a Life s Intention? An underlying direction, aim, or purpose that comes from deep within you and is the living spirit behind your goals and dreams. It is a longing to be known for something that you contribute to life. Examples: To be financially successful To be an adventurer To be a creator of beauty To be a loving partner Your Life s Intentions give a clear, pure focus to energy. Our Life s Intentions rouse us forward on our journey, calling us to grow and develop. In our coaching, through specific exercises, you will discover your Standards of Integrity and your Life s Intentions. You will begin to notice where in your life you are aligned with your Standards of Integrity and Life s Intentions and where there is a gap. This awareness will enable you to close the gap and formulate goals that will bring your dreams into physical reality and that express your authentic self. Reflection: What would it mean to you to uncover your Standards of Integrity and Life s Intentions?

2 Your Standards of Integrity These are your personal keys to excellence. Your Standards of Integrity are your core values. They are the basic desirable qualities you possess that give your life meaning and relevance. You don t have to invent them because, like your power to be willing, they already exist within you. Your job is to uncover them and then contribute them to others in your life. Standards has a double meaning. First, it means values. A second meaning is that it is a flag or banner that you fly in front of you. It s what you stand for. A) To Do: List in the box below all the people who have qualities you admire. Write their names. Take your time and reach back into your past. B) To Do: Survey your list. Look at each name, starting with the first and working down. In the box below, record the qualities or traits you admire about the person. A quality is something that inspires you, such as loyal, intelligent, adventurous, courageous, creative, truthful, and so on. Go to the next person on the list. If that person shares qualities with the first, simply put a check mark next to that attribute. List any additional traits not found in the first person. As you proceed you will develop a list of qualities, with check marks that indicate when that quality was noted more than once. People I Admire The Qualities I Admire In Them 8 DO NOT DUPLICATE

3 C) To Do: Starting from the top of your list, look at each trait. Spend a few moments contemplating each attribute. Ask yourself does reading this word, aloud or to myself, warm my heart, if only for a moment? Do I like being in the presence of people who have this quality? Repeat this process until you have contemplated each word on your original list. Write the ones that resonate with you in the box below. You may find you have transferred all or just a few of them. Quantity is not important. What matters is that you are willing to see what touches your heart. If one or two other traits occur to you as you do this, write them down as well. Qualities That Warm My Heart D) To Do: Each trait you list in the box above has significance and meaning for you. That is because you possess the receptor site for it in your heart. What you have before you the list of your Standards of Integrity is the blueprint for your personal power. You possess the qualities you listed. They are part of your nature. You can t get rid of them, no matter what you do. Take this list and print it on a three-by-five-inch card or use the sheet provided on the next page. At the top of this list, write: These are my Standards of Integrity. At the bottom of the list, write: I know these are mine because I see them in others. Keep this card with you and look at it often.

4 These are my Standards of Integrity I know these are mine because I see them in others. Follow-up Practices: To Do: Take your integrity card with you and read it at least once a day for one week. Become familiar with your Standards. Get used to the possibility that they really do describe your authentic nature. After a week, ask yourself if you have noticed any changes in your relationships with others. You may see a subtle shift in your behavior, mood, and conversations. To Do: Record your observations about yourself in your notebook. When you are aware of your Standards of Integrity, is it easier to communicate with others? Do you think before you speak? Do you let them in a little closer? Observe yourself. If you do, you will be practicing a skill that is essential to the hero s journey.

5 Life s Intention Inventory Using this form, please look at the intentions that are currently important to you. Five (5) is very important and one (1) is relatively unimportant. Please remember that this is only a snapshot in time, a reflection of where you are now. Your rating of these intentions could change at a later date. My Intentions are to be: Financially successful Physically fit and healthy A successful artist, sculptor A successful musician, composer A successful author, playwright, poet A contributor to my community A visionary leader A great (loving) family member* Spiritually developing A well-respected professional An effective manager An effective teacher Well-educated A creator of beauty An effective coach A successful business owner An effective healer Well traveled An effective mentor A successful entrepreneur An adventurer An effective therapist An effective minister Politically active A successful communicator * Fill in the blank here. Examples include: mother, father, aunt, uncle, grandmother, grandfather, sister, brother, partner, husband, wife, friend.