Written by: Jean Fleming, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
There are many definitions of values but fundamentally it boils down to the things that are important to you.
Knowing your values is being clear on what is important to you, what drives you and what motivates you. Working in line with your values gives you energy. When you are clear about your values, decision making becomes easier as your values will guide you.
Values are what sit at your core - they are what you are all about, they guide your thoughts, beliefs, qualities and behaviours. They are a moral compass that can guide what work you do, which people you choose to spend your time with and how you spend your time.
However, when your values are not aligned with what you are doing then it will zap your energy and it will not feel right for you. You will be dissatisfied and frustrated.
And goodness, when someone breaches your core values, you will really know about it!
3 steps to identify your values
Think of people you admire. What are the qualities you admire about them? Make a list. Consider this list and ask yourself which of these qualities are core to you?
Reflect back on a time in your life when you have been at your happiest. What was going on for you? What specifically was making you happy? Were you surrounded by those you love, were you helping someone, were you achieving great things, was it a calm environment, were you having fun – whatever you come up with, think about how these elements were feeding your soul.
Think of a time when you were particularly frustrated or angry. What specifically caused you to feel this way? Had a loyalty been breached, was it someone who didn’t care, was disrespectful, lacked compassion. It is likely that it was a breach of your values.
Don’t overthink – just go with your gut answers on each of these activities. Once you have these 3 lists see what themes emerge so that you can identify the core values for you. If you have more than 6, start to rank them. Identify which could you really not live without so that you land with your core 6.
Ask yourself where are they being met in your life e.g. career, relationships? Where are they not being met as well as you would like? What action could you take to get more aligned with your values.
Living a life aligned with your values is a happier life.
Jean Fleming, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Jean Fleming is an Empowerment and Leadership Coach helping women to create the life they want. With over 30 years of business experience, Jean was the first woman to join the Board of a global company – a role she still fulfills 12 years later.
Jean is an experienced ICF accredited Coach, a DiSC Profiler, an Emotional Intelligence EQi-2.0 Assessor, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Jean uses her extensive range of skills and experience to bring a dynamic and supportive service to her clients to help them identify and create the life they want.
