What is congruency, and why should it be important to each one of us? It’s integrity, but more. It’s being intentional, and more. It’s about who we are as a person, the values we hold, and the actions we choose to take. It’s the ultimate core value, the congruency between our actions and our words.
A person who lives a life with congruency as an integral part of them is that person who others are drawn to–who I am drawn to–both in life and in business. These people are real. They are honest and full of joy, and they get things done. There is total congruency. It’s who I strive to be, but I’ll be the first to admit I’m not perfect.
Growing Up
Congruency is something that has been steadily building in me from the time I was a young girl. I didn’t know it at the time, but looking back, I can see the roots there in my childhood.
As a little girl, who happened to be the only girl and the youngest child, I was exposed to amazing books. At that time, I didn’t understand how helping others to achieve their dreams could help me to achieve my own. I didn’t understand the concept and thought you just work hard for your dreams.
As I grew up, I continued to be encouraged by my parents and those around me, growing this value of congruency. It was further instilled by books like Dale Carnegie’s book, “How to Win Friends & Influence People” and other principles I was learning about, experiencing, and adopting.
Six People and a Wall
How can you tell if someone understands and values congruency, even if they call it something else? Think of it this way. Pick six people and line them up against a wall. They are of different races, gender, religion, height, size, and probably don’t speak the same language.
Can you tell by looking at them if they are a grateful person? Do you know what they believe in? What their values are? If their actions support their words? No. The only way you know if they represent gratitude in their community or in their life, if they exhibit congruency of actions and words, is if you are able to observe them in their daily life.
If you observe them for a period of a week, then you’ll be able to say, okay, based on the actions and based on the series of patterns that this person exhibits, I can assume that this person (of the six lined up) is the most grateful because I see them execute that in their daily life. I see that they are grateful. I see their daily interactions, and they take the time to say thank you, to write thank you cards.
There are a lot of fakes out there. Those who would pretend they are congruent in their lives. However, the more I am told at, the more skeptical I become, and the closer I pay attention to their words and how their actions align. Those alone will tell me whether they align their words and actions. In other words, if they are authentic.
An Invitation
This issue of congruency is something that has been brewing inside of me for a long time, and I would love to have you join me in not only seeing the value in it but making it a part of you, too, if it isn’t already.
I make mistakes along the way, and so will you, but I am very intentional about being congruent. I know that I exhibit what I believe in and who I am through my actions. If I truly believe in gratitude, I need to think about how I am going to deploy actions that show my gratitude to the world.
Will you join me?
Jacqueline Camacho-Ruiz is the CEO of JJR Marketing (www.jjrmarketing.com) and Fig Factor Media LLC international book publishing company (www.figfactormedia.com), founder of The Fig Factor Foundation (www.thefigfactor.org), creator of Today’s Inspired Latina book series and international movement (http://www.todayslatina.com), author of thirteen books (www.jackiecamacho.com), international speaker, and pilot. Jacqueline speaks to hundreds of audiences about marketing, servant leadership, finding your passion, and achieving success in business. She has addressed the United States Army, BP International, United Airlines, Allstate, and Farmers Insurance among other corporations to share her inspiration.
If you or an organization you know needs as speaker, please get in touch with us at http://www.jackiecamacho.com/contact.