When we know our core values life becomes far easier to navigate. If we think about how we live life, in a very stripped back way, it takes the form of a decision tree. Every single day we have to make countless choices ranging from the incredibly important to the mundane and barely noticeable ones that we wouldn’t even categorize as choices. Our decision trees are often highly effective. We adeptly weigh up consequences and outcomes, consider costs and resources and make our choices like the pro decision makers we are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether we realize it or not many of the decisions we make are often based on our values. But what are values? It is a term that gets used a lot but many of us might struggle to define it. Simply put values are our puppet masters. They are core beliefs that underpin and guide our decision making and behaviors. We are often most comfortable, content and without internal conflict when we are able to stick close to our values making the inverse true too. We can feel extremely uncomfortable and unhappy when we are not able to act according to our values. This discomfort can take many forms, from anger to anxiety, and can feel confusing if we\u2019re not aware of where it\u2019s coming from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The benefit of knowing our values is two-fold. When we are clear about our values they offer us a solid and guiding foundation which we can rely on during tough times, when important decisions need to be made or when we\u2019re being tested. They can also help us live well and authenticly. Being guided by values may give us the courage to change situations which leave us misaligned and inspire us to stay true to who we are or who we want to be. So if you\u2019re now sold on the idea of getting to know your values on a first name basis how can you do that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Values tend to be rather stable but they aren\u2019t by any means fixed. Values grow and change with us. Living close to our values is ideal but obviously not always possible. There will forever be people and situations in life where we have to compromise our values or fight to stick by them. Knowing our values, even when we\u2019re not able to live and behave in alignment with them, allows us to know ourselves. At the very least it helps us remain honest and aware and when life’s big decisions come calling for us we can rely on this knowledge. Making those big choices well usually hinges on one main thing; us knowing what we value most<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When we know our core values life becomes far easier to navigate. If we think