The basic ingredients for growth and development are food, water and rest. These elements fuel, nourish and propel your physical needs. Proper amounts of each contribute to physical development and support mental functioning.

Just as these are essential to physical development, integrity is the psychological foundation of the behavior system. It sets boundaries and guides interactive decision-making choices in life. Well-defined and consistently executed, integrity assists efficient, effective and productive management.

Since each of us is unique, the amount of food, water and rest is independently dependent on one's need or want. When you are deprived and find yourself weak, your need for these elements increases. If you overindulge, you may find yourself uncomfortable, wishing you had monitored your intake. Hopefully, you are able to pace and monitor yourself, managing your needs and wants appropriately.

Integrity also requires attention so as not to suffer from deprivation or indulgence. Behavior contacts can be extremely changeable, infuriating, pleasurable and/or mystifying — any of which can be experienced in a short period of time.

It is not unusual to have integrity limits tested. Emotions triggered by interactive contact with family, friends, business relationships, watching television or other reactive thoughts can impact decision-making, especially if integrity is threatened. These are trigger points making us aware of potential foundation breaches.

Case in point, if you are frustrated, angry or feeling exhausted, you are pushing your integrity limits. No matter how hard you try, progress is blocked. Emotions restrict change or adjustment, energy is expended, and a loss of control threatens your ability to manage.

Returning to intellectual thought understanding integrity limits allows you to adjust and improve your behaviors and positive solution efforts. Instead of reacting, asking what you can do right now is your best preventive move. It organizes your thoughts and brings you back to doing what you can do well.

Integrity is a beacon that guides you to improved positive solutions. Active thinking quiets emotional reaction, producing positive, productive results.

Progress in our interactive world today is often automatic. Decisions are based on past experiences and established behaviors. Your integrity interplays by directing decision-making as it keeps you on the proper field of play.

For example, if you receive an overabundance of information, rely on your basic integrity to guide you. Pace yourself and maintain an "inbounds" position. Staying inbounds, you have an opportunity to continue play, thus managing and guiding yourself to higher levels of productivity.

Feeling overwhelmed is an emotional reaction, so let integrity be your guide. Evaluate your field of play, and make sure it is the appropriate field for the game being played. In other words, don't try to play football on a baseball field. You may be familiar with both games, but the rules and field marking are different for each game.

Here is an example to which most of us can relate, often found in working relationships. You find yourself being criticized for a procedure or event that has created a problem. The criticism is leveled at you, but you have no understanding of what happened. Confusion and emotion invite you to react.

Stop! Slow down the pace. Stay in bounds and respond with a question: "What's happening here?" Help others to reorganize their thoughts, but most importantly maintain your composure and do not react. This keeps your integrity intact, and you maintain a position that is manageable.

In efforts to keep pace with change and technological upgrades, engaging the unfamiliar may be your best strategy. Waiting to make the "right decision" may prevent exploratory opportunities to move ahead. Use these times to open discussion. Keep control and abate emotional reactions by asking questions.

Your integrity is your best guide to set boundaries and keep the process in control. Great minds can play on the same field when emotions are contained. Managed discussion allows for productive solutions to be explored and redirection established.

You are your integrity. Never compromise its value, and your strength will be maintained. Continue to build and maintain your foundational base, and it will serve you well in life's pursuits.

"As you think, so you go" is a slogan to help maintain focus. Controlling thoughts is a task worthy of consideration and effort. It keeps you on the proper playing field, inbounds and moving toward productive results.