How values are key to your goals, priorities and
Values are
important in our lives but we probably don’t think about them much.
They are the guiding principles by which we live our lives and give us purpose. They affect our beliefs, attitude and behaviour and the decisions we
make.
They come from your needs and desires and are created from who you are as a person and those around us - our parents, friends, partner and social groups, as well as those we work with.
A starting point to find your values is to ask:
- What do you enjoy most in life?
- When and where do you feel happy, content, comfortable?
- Who or what is important to you?
- When have you felt under pressure, stressed, in conflict?
Your core values tend to remain the same, while some will change over time.
When you compromise your values, it creates stress, overwhelm and conflict on an emotional and physical level.
Values at work
Organisations and businesses
often have values by which they operate to be successful in the way they do business and how they behave in a professional environment.
Many businesses understand the benefits of focusing on their employees and their
wellbeing that you're more likely to find a business that fits with your values.
How do the values of the business you work for or the work you do match your values?
If your business is focused on chasing profits and puts people over profits, the constant pressure on performance and hitting targets might be at odds with your own values.
You might be able to balance the need for hard work with taking time out to enjoy what’s important to you. Equally, you might find you’re constantly feeling stressed by the demands from other people who don’t understand what’s important to you.
Values create self-respect. If your values are being ignored or not met, you need to speak up and be clear about what you want and need.
They help you make decisions. Knowing the impact opportunities or options will have and how they fit with your values can make it easier to choose.
Values such as communication, respect, achievement, recognition, support, growth, security.
Positive shared
values keep you motivated, focused and give you a sense of purpose.
If your values aren’t being met, dissatisfaction and frustration build up. If you’re not prepared to compromise or find a balance, it might be time
for a change.
Values in life
Your values help you to grow and develop in your relationships with friends and family.
Values such as honesty, integrity, loyalty, family, health, community.
Connecting with your values, helps
you make better decisions about what’s important and where to spend your time.
Other people’s values may be very different from yours or they may be the same. They’ll behave in a different way or make different
decisions based on their values or how they choose to practice their values.
Understanding where they’re coming from and what their values might be can help build trust and better communication.
It’s important to communicate what you want or need to be understood and avoid misunderstanding and frustration.
Those closest to you are likely to share similar values.
Seek out people with similar values to create a supportive group of friends with shared interests.
Being in conflict with your deeper core values, puts your happiness and success at risk.
Knowing your real values helps you make better decisions around your work,
career and relationships and gives you a sense of purpose.
Values is something I’ll be covering the Build Better Time Habits course which will be opening up next week.
If you join me for tonight's Masterclass you'll get early access to the course and a Bonus. Register to receive the replay if you can't join me live.
