What are your values and why does it matter? This has been a very thought provoking class for me. The basic premise of the class is that you need to be aware of your values and live your life according to them in order to live the happiest, most intellectually/emotionally comfortable life. If you become misaligned with your values then you risk feeling unhappy with the direction of your life. This all sounds a little bit touchy feely doesn't it, the moment where lots of high achievers likely switch off. However I think there is actually some merit in it and if you indulge me for a few minutes and read the rest of this post, then you could also come to the same view and more importantly it could help you make decisions to improve your current quality of life.
So what is a value? According to the Oxford Concise English dictionary there were 2 definitions which seemed most applicable in this instance. i) moral principles or accepted standards and ii)Desirability of a thing. My immediate association when I heard the word values in the coaching context was more in line with the first meaning, but I think that coaches also uses the word values in terms of the second. So a value is probably a core principle, something important to us, an ideal or belief that helps shape our behaviour. Some of us may instantly know what our core values are, but others may find it more difficult to identify them. A list of 5-8 is probably appropriate when thinking of what is most important to you. If you can create a list of these values, prioritise them and then define each one as it applies to you, you can subsequently consider whether you are living your life according to them. If you are having trouble deciding what yours are, or how to prioritise them, you may find it useful to either search for a comprehensive list online, or take a value test at the following site ; www.coachlee.com. After you have done this you may then like to consider what your life's purpose is. Again that sounds like another very grand question, which you may balk at answering. If you do consider the question though it might help you readjust your direction, and the way that you are spending your time. You can then look at your life's purpose, create 5 or so goals around that, and then construct some action steps to get there. Go on, have a go, the result might fill you with renewed energy, and excitement to start achieving the things that you want and that are in tune with your core values. It may also help to explain why you have been feeling uneasy in an area of your life, for example your sales job may not quite be in tune with your value of honesty and so you don't fully enjoy your job. Clarifying your values and life purpose may also assist you in making key decisions in your life.
To help you out, I outline below an example of what this exercise may look like:
An example of core values might be : Family, Integrity ,Motivation, Achievement, Passion, Financial Independence.
An example of life's purpose might be :Living life meaningfully
An example of goal's to reach that purpose might be; i)Caring for and Spending time with family,(ii)Creating a successful career, iii)Strong relationship with a spouse, iv)Active leisure time, v)Relaxation time.
Behavioural changes necessary to achieve the purpose: Laugh more, Shout less, Reduce alcohol, Exercise more.
Action steps - would need to be specific and quantifiable. I'll leave that to your imagination.
Have a go!!
No comments:
Post a Comment