Most of us first learned the term, congruence, when we learned about geometric shapes that are similar. While some people continue to use the term in the same way professionally, most of us are in careers that don’t regularly involve geometric shapes. The term should still be considered meaningful for all of us in our personal development.
When we are congruent, our various parts are in harmony – our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Congruence plays a very important role in mental health. Intra-personal conflict is an inevitable result of incongruence. If you have strong principles but lack the confidence to act upon them, you are not being congruent. When you accomplish what you set out to do – and then are uncomfortable about taking pride in your accomplishments, you are not being congruent. When you lack congruence, you are failing to maximize your mental fitness. You are also being irresponsible – to yourself.
Nobody can be expected to do one of your most important jobs; the job of being good to yourself. When you bring your thoughts, feelings, and behavior into harmony in a positive manner, you take a major step in the direction of doing that job well. Congruence and self-satisfaction go hand in hand.