The values we hold in side of us are what motivate us to move in a certain direction. Values are also the private rules by which people live their lives. The set of values a person holds to in a certain area of life is like the little motor, so to speak, which propels the boat of a person’s life. When people disconnect from their values or don’t honor them, the boat of their lives simply goes adrift on the sea of existence.
Values are not what we want, but something intrinsic which you absolutely need in your life in order to be true to yourself. – Cherry Claus
What Is the Role of Our Values?
Think of your values as a GPS – when you wander off the path or lose direction, they bring you back on track. When you are fully clear on these values, you attract to yourself people of like mind who share the same desire to lead a purposeful, authentic life.
- Our values or perhaps the ‘personal rules’ which we choose to live by, influence our emotions and behaviors, and have an enormous impact on what we do and what we say.
- Values are the supporting framework for our beliefs and are strongly connected to our identity.
- Our primary principles and way of life are controlled by our values.
- They furnish us with direction and motivation to accomplish tasks or challenge situations.
- Our values impact every angle of our lives and the lives of those we interact with.
- Values are what give meaning to our lives.
- Values are closely linked to our vision, of what’s possible, or what we can become.
- Values stimulate our vision of what we want.
If someone had set goals in the past which they firmly believed they were capable of achieving, and yet they haven’t achieved them, it’s very possible that the goals may have not been congruent with their values.
These three being in alignment – goals, vision and values – is what makes life worthwhile and worth living.
Becoming aware of your personal values helps you make important life decisions, and gives you confidence.
It helps you make the best choices you can, spending your time and money on things most important to you and those in your life. It also helps you know what you stand for, who you are as a person and what are the things you believe in.
When faced with a choice, you simply ask yourself:
How does this action align with my values?
If it does, you do it. If it doesn’t, you don’t. Knowing your values helps you quickly know what are good choices for you and what are not.
The added benefit of focusing on your core values is to distinguish them from the goals that other people in your life want you to achieve. Knowing your values helps you Live with integrity. Integrity here doesn’t mean honesty or honor. Integrity means wholeness or completeness – being a whole person. Nothing left out. Being true to yourself.
