Value: The importance one puts on something.
Core Values: Guiding principles that dictate behavior and action.
I have come to learn through personal experience (my own and others) that assessing, understanding, and living one’s core values is the key to a successful, well-lived life. When I use the term “values” with my clients they “kind of, not really” know what I mean. Words like morals, beliefs, and standards come to mind. These are part of, but do not complete, the whole value picture.
Origin of Our Values
We have many values in life. Often times our values are shaped by our home of origin. Our parents teach us a certain mode of living that, like it or not, we adopt in some form or fashion. When we leave home we go through a filtration process of determining the values we continue to support and the values we leave behind. This is usually an unconscious process that leaves the individual with a hodge podge of values that is undefined and cluttered. The individual then settles into a pattern of living that dictates life’s direction. This casual approach eventually leads to an absence of motivation, fulfillment, and peace.
Core Values
Part of “growing up” is making a conscious decision on what we want from life and who we want to be. This process requires strength, independence, and confidence as we separate ourselves from family and friends and decide what is centrally important to us (not them). This conscious assessment is how we identify our core values. Core values are limited to 3-5 values upon which a focused, fulfilled, and happy existence can be achieved. These values are customized to each individual and must be discovered on one’s own and not forced upon them by society, religion, and/or family. The more we personalize and own our core values the more we can contribute to society, religion, and/or family.
The Power of Core Values
Core values have the power to take us where we want to go. We stall in life when we aren’t clear in how we want to live. Once this clarity is achieved our core values become the northern star that helps us navigate through the stormy seas of life.
Although core values can be deeply felt, they often require sacrifice, diligence, and persistence to live. When such effort is put forth a deep sense of fulfillment is produced and seeds of purpose start to sprout. The more we nurture these seeds through living core values, the stronger our purpose becomes. When we neglect to care for and maintain core values (due to laziness, busyness, short-term gratification, or fear) the seeds of purpose start to whither and we find ourselves purposeless, empty, and/or lost.
If you find yourself lacking motivation, passion, peace, and progression then core value identification and realization is just the prescription you need to remedy these ailments. How do you start? I have included a value assessment worksheet I use with my clients to start this process. This exercise helps the individual identify important values and their life’s alignment with these values. Further exploration in writing, conversation, and thought will further clarity on core values; values that produce focus, purpose, and progress. There are other powerful ways one can use this worksheet but for now this is a great start. Enjoy!
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