Values are those qualities or aspects of life that are most important to you. So, for example: kindness, honesty, family, wealth etc.
Before I started my journey in self-development, I was not at all aware of what my values were and it was quite a novel and interesting task for me to find out exactly what they were.
One method is to simply sit and write down all of items that are important to you, another (easier in my opinion) method is to go through a pre-determined list and identify the relevant ones.
But then, the next challenge (and it can be a real challenge), is to rank these values in order of importance. Sometimes this requires quite some thinking and putting yourself in various situations in order to determine just exactly what it is that is most important.
On his website, Steve Pavlina has an extensive list of values that you can use. However, as you go along, you may find that there are others you wish to add. Fee free, the list is a basis.
So, why find out your values? Surely not just for the exercise? No, there are a number of benefits:
- If we are not living in line with our values, there is often discord in our lives. Knowing our values enables us to identify where the issues are and set about changing them. For example, for someone it may be incredibly important to have children, but her partner is not interested. How strong is this value? Enough to leave that person? Or can she adapt to it?
- If your goals are not in line with your values, it is unlikely that you will achieve them. For example, if your top-most value is wealth, yet you set a goal to serve people and you take a low-paying job with a community centre, or spend your spare wealth-generation time assisting others, you are not going to achieve true service. You will no doubt be bitter, impatient, dissatisfied.
- Knowing your values can often assist with making decisions. For example, say you have the option of taking a high-paying job but with long hours versus a lower-paying job with much shorter hours. If wealth is a top value, you would probably be better off taking the former. If family-time is highly important to you, you would probably be better off taking the latter job.
- Time is a scarce commodity, if we prioritize our activities according to our values, we will experience a more fulfilling life.
But, one thing to remember is that you are finding your current list of values. As we move through life and grow and change, so too do our values alter. It is, in fact, beneficial to regularly undertake this task of determining your values as it is a driving factor for a harmonious and successful life.
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When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.
Roy Disney
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Take a look at our Values Affirmation List to get examples and ideas for creating your own values affirmation list.
Newsletter subscribers can use the Affirmation Lists URL provided in each newsletter. Please contact us for any queries.
Why do think it is important to know your values? What other methods have you used to determine your values?
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