Integrity can be explained on two basic levels. We all hold beliefs, opinions, values or worldviews about the world. On the most basic level integrity is about making your actions correspond to those beliefs. It’s about being truthful to yourself and others. This stops you from the pain of seeing your actions deviate from what you believe in. Moreover, if others know what you say corresponds to what you do, they can cooperate with you. This is called trust, which is an essential component of doing business or having fulfilling personal relationships.
However, You can see how the above explanation does not involve an assessment of the types of beliefs You hold. So the deeper challenge is about which values You should hold. Thinking about integrity forces You to think about Your values. On a deeper level integrity is about changing Your values to those You believe are worth to hold, contribute to Your well being and society as a whole. Changing beliefs may be easy or hard depending on what aspect of Your thinking you are trying to improve. It can deplete a lot of Your mental energy if you try to devise custom strategies on how to bring those new values into Your life. Integrity is a great value because it offers a sound and simple framework on how to act and introduce positive change. Pick a new belief You believe is sound and valuable and then ask: how can I act in a way that reflects this belief?
Following the principle of personal integrity assures You can live at peace with Yourself knowing the way You act corresponds to how You think. Integrity helps You get people’s trust which vastly improves Your possibilities. Finally, you can live assured that positive change in Your life is possible and simple to do if You change Your values.