Do you want to live a life of integrity in which your actions align with your list of values and beliefs?

Exploring your values can be beneficial in various areas of life, leading to a deeper understanding of your priorities and guiding your decision-making process.

Think of it as a needle of your compass, rather than allowing outside influences like media, pop culture, or social environment to shape your life, you can be true to yourself.

Ever wondered what values truly guide your life?

What values do you lean on when life gets tough? And why?

In this article, I will help you clarify your values to gain a clearer understanding of what truly matters to you and how you want to live your life.

There is no Right or Wrong

Everyone’s values are different and there is NO “correct” set of values.

While one person may value their family relationships above all else, another person might value their career.

 

What stands out to you when you think of success?

How do you like to spend your free time?

What activities make you happy and fulfilled?

Being true to yourself

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi

If you’re not clear about your values, you might unintentionally act against them. This can result in feelings of guilt and shame, even if you’re unsure of the cause. People often adhere to values taught by their families or peers without questioning what’s truly important to them.

Feel free to grab a pen and paper and dedicate some time to personal reflection — jotting down what truly resonates with you.

Exercise:

• From the table below, cross out 30 values.
• Examine the values that are left. Consider why these values survived the initial cut.
• Repeat the process of crossing out another 30 values from the remaining list.
• Aim to narrow your list to 5 core values.
• Order by importance. This ranking reflects the hierarchy of your core values.

 

Here are a few guiding questions to start your journey of self-discovery. Your responses can serve as valuable clues in uncovering your core values.

Behaviour: What’s an example of a time when you were fully living into this value?

Authenticity: When Do You Feel Most Like Yourself?

Consistency: Which values have remained important to you over time, despite changes in circumstances or environments?

Alignment: Which values align most closely with your long-term goals, aspirations, and vision for your life?

Emotion: Which values evoke the strongest emotional response or sense of fulfillment when you live in accordance with them?

Conflict Resolution: When faced with conflicting values, which ones do you consistently prioritize or feel most compelled to uphold?

Impact: Which values have consistently guided your decisions and actions throughout your life?

What would my values look like in action?

Knowing your set of core values is one thing, but how do they may show up in your everyday life?

Here are some examples to illustrate how your values might manifest in your daily life:

Family:

Prioritise spending quality time with loved ones

Attend family gatherings regularly

Make decisions considering the well-being of family members

Health:

Engage in regular exercise

Prioritise nutritious meals

Get enough sleep

Seek medical attention when needed for physical and mental well-being

Creativity:

Dedicate time to artistic pursuits (e.g., painting, writing, playing a musical instrument)

Seek opportunities to express creativity in work or personal projects

Visit museums, art galleries, and other creative spaces to inspire and stimulate creativity

Integrity:

Act honestly and ethically in all situations

Uphold principles and values, even when faced with challenges or criticism

Demonstrate transparency in your actions and decision

Personal Growth:

Seek out opportunities for learning and development

Engage in formal education, self-help books, workshops, or mentorship

Remember, these are just a few examples, and your values may manifest differently based on your unique circumstances and priorities. The key is to align your actions with your values consistently, as this can lead to greater fulfillment and satisfaction in life.

Final Thoughts:

Values may change and shift throughout your life, I recommend reassessing your core values. Perhaps instead of New Year’s resolutions, you can review your core values and their alignment with your life and current goals.

If you sense you’ve veered off track or feel utterly disoriented, I’m here to assist you in finding your way back.

Remember: When it comes to core values, there’s no “one size fits all” approach. Everyone is different. Good luck!

For those curious souls who want to explore further, I also recommend visiting: www.brenebrown.com/resources/living-into-our-values