Your core values drive you subconsciously in most of your decision throughout the day. That is you going on auto-pilot.
I have a simple and quick exercise to help you get past the sense of overwhelm when asked to do overly complicated exercises in identifying core value. I recommend that you do this exercise on a regular basis as you will adopt slight shifts in your core values due to new perspectives and life experiences.
Why do we do a Core Value Analysis?
This self awareness is important so we understand ourselves better. Not knowing our values is like not knowing why we do what we do. Why do I say that?
Although most of us are not fully aware of our core values, these underlying values guide our decision-making process from the food we eat to the actions we take; from the jobs and friends/partners we choose to the level of honor we exhibit in tough situations. They help establish our goals and give us the sense of purpose; they are the unwritten criteria for our daily actions and choices.
Every action we take or not take with regards to time management, relationship and health can be traced back to our core values. Whether you realize it or not, your life is guided by your set of underlying fundamental core values.
What are Core Values?
These are your ethics, underlying beliefs, guiding principles, ideals, your moral compass or code of honor for which you live by. You formed these values while growing up; and you also adopt new values as you learn through life.
How do we identify our Core Values?
Write down all the traits and values that you admire and respect. Let your pen do the writing and do not stop until you have a list of about 30 or more. This is your list of core values. Your list is not comprehensive so feel free to add in any that you have not listed here. To identify your core values, just follow the steps below:
1. From your list, choose 7 of your most fundamental core values
2. Describe and define what they mean to you in your own words
3. On a scale of 1 to 10 describe how aligned you are with these 7 values
4. Choose and prioritize the 3 that you want to work on for the next 3 months.
This is a simplistic way of getting some awareness of what you may be driven by. So now you are aware of the areas of your life that you want to pay more attention to. If you are not sure how to do this, no worries.
I have compiled a report with table and text that will help you do this exercise and you can download that report at the end of this article. The challenge comes when there is a conflict among the different core values. And this happens all the time; working mothers know this very well for they need to juggle work/career while taking care of children, spouse/partner, parents, in laws, and community. Often there is no space left for the self.
What would you choose when there is a conflict of values between loyalty and justice, of family and work, or of self and community?
Not an easy question to tackle. Most people find it helpful to work these work with a coach or mentor.
Surely the answer lies not in ignoring, nor denying. Compromising is not going to be helpful either in the long run.
Most tension and pressure can be traced to these conflicts. The more we understand our top values and the dynamics of how they work within us, the better we can handle that conflict and thus our stress levels, productivity and sense of fulfillment.
So now do you know why you feel stressed out or on top of the world? If you are still not sure of the answer, do not worry, just get yourself a free strategy session of coaching with me and we can sort this out.
If you want the free guide sheet for the core values exercise above, just let me know where to send this to and I will get this to you as soon as possible
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