Define your Values, Focus your Life! Part 1

Do you know your Values?

Why we need to Define and Understand our Values:

affirmationsWhen you delineate (define)  and comprehend your values, it helps you develop a foundation of self-knowledge, discovery, and awareness in a very concrete form.  We all feel we know ourselves, but when asked to write a description or summarize our strengths, numerous people find it a daunting task. That is because we have a very ambiguous, vague and illusive image of ourselves. Many of us have not taken the time to define who we are and what feels right in our inner core. By defining our central beliefs, we can give our life a personal and comprehensive direction to go.

What are Values?

A value is an internal credence (belief) on what a person deems as the right conduct, ethically good, a priority in your life, or namely what you believe is of highest value. There are religious, cultural, economic or philosophical values. But for the self-awareness that I am encouraging, you will define your values as your top inner belief system not contingent on the outside world. This is what you have defined as important, worthy or exceptionally useful to your self-worth. They are the principles or standards that you hold most dear. It will give you a clarity of your personal identity. Thus, help you ascertain a clear, positive direction for your life.

How can knowing my values help?

Your inner values exist whether you have recognized them or not. When you choose options, plans, or decisions based on your core values, it helps to assure a positive outcome. Ignoring your values causes internal stress and conflict. As an illustration, I do not like to BS (some may say charm) or manipulating people. But my first job out of college was a job selling advertising in a highly competitive sales job. This job caused me internal strife because it was not consistent with my internal values. Now some people flourish in a sales career. They may find it challenging or competitive. Understanding and knowing your values can be used as a gauge to help answer life’s questions. For instance, what career should I pursue or am I making the right move? Values and Priorities help to define the best direction for you. These values are deep inside you and are part of your inner core. You become conscious of your values, you can tap into their core energy. It is part of the power of your personality and motivation in life. Empower yourself by using this info in your current life situation.

How do I define my Values?

family with child smilingTo discover what is meaningful to you, rethink your past.  Identify times you were really happy, proud, felt deep accomplishment or inner satisfaction. Then diagnosis what was at the core of those situations that made you feel like that. This will be a compass to your core values.

Next, I will supply you with a basic list of values. I would like you to read through this list and discover your top 5 Values. To do this, start by crossing off ones you know just aren’t you.  Circle the ones that really resonate (feel right)  within. Realize that there is something about each of the values you may like but you are choosing the ones that are most important to you.

On Friday, 29, 2016, I will pos ta list of values. Then if you continue reading in article 3, it gives you tips for choosing your values and how to implement them into your life. With your new knowledge of your important values, you can align with your core being and have the inside track to inner happiness.

If you would like to read more books on values, check out…. The Value Factor” by Dr. John F. Demartini; “Discovering your authentic Core Values” by Marc Alan Schelske: “From Values to Actionby Harry M. Kraemer or “Teaching your Children Values” by Richard Eyre and Linda Eyre.

If you would like to read more from this author, try: “Empower Yourself to Move Forward in Life…Starting Today”; “Personal Empowerment: Discover your path”; “Personality Strengths: Gain Self-Knowledge by learning your Unique Gifts”; and “Priorities: Discover your Top 5” By Vicki Langemo, LPC, MA.  More articles are found at www.supportivetalk.com