How to Coach Yourself and Others Techniques For Coaching | Page 264

To face not being'
(To be peaceful and
satisfied with one's
life and efforts, and
to be accepting that
life will end.)

Later Erikson dropped the word 'Ego' (from
'Ego Integrity') and extended the whole term to
'Integrity v Disgust and Despair'. He also
continued to use the shorter form 'Integrity v
Despair'.
Integrity means feeling at peace with oneself
and the world. No regrets or recriminations. The
linking between the stages is perhaps clearer
here than anywhere: people are more likely to
look back on their lives positively and happily if
they have left the world a better place than they
found it - in whatever way, to whatever extent.
There lies Integrity and acceptance.
Despair and/or 'Disgust' (i.e., rejective denial, or
'sour grapes' feeling towards what life might
have been) represent the opposite disposition:
feelings of wasted opportunities, regrets,
wishing to be able to turn back the clock and
have a second chance.
This stage is a powerful lens through which to
view one's life - even before old age is reached.
To bring this idea to life look at the 'obituaries'
exercise.
Erikson had a profound interest in humanity
and society's well-being in general. This crisis
stage highlights the issue very meaningfully.
Happily these days for many people it's often
possible to put something back, even in the
depths of despair. When this happens people

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