The concept of congruency has intrigued me for years. The word congruent is actually quite an old word and comes from the Latin congruus which means “to come together” or “to agree.” This is a great word to use when evaluating goals and direction in life. I do this by asking myself one simple question.
Are my current habits congruent with my future goals?
This is the question I have learned to ask myself on a weekly basis. It is like a rubber band that pulls me back when I’ve wandered off course. The question of personal congruence brings to the surface hidden tendencies that distract me from what I have previously decided are important goals.
The reason this word is so important to me is that it has to do with personal integrity. Integrity is at the top of my personal values. I believe that if you say you’re going to do something, you should do it. Congruency is about aligning what you are doing with your decisions and direction. If you have decided to pay off your debt and you believe that it is important, then you need to ask yourself, “Are my current financial decisions congruent with my decision to pay off my debt?”
Of course, there will be times when you’ve made a poor decision and you need to repent of that decision. This is also in line with congruency. If a decision you’ve made is not congruent with your goals and personal convictions, the sooner you shift direction, the less painful it will be. I have had to do this many times in my life. It is always painful, but always worth the pain.
William Knelsen 