Values

aboriginal dot painting graphic - links to values page

If goals are our road map to a particular 鈥渄estination鈥, values can be the compass we use to get there.

If we think about it, values really shape the kind of people we want to be and strongly influence how we think, perceive and behave in the world. For example, curiosity, respect, openness, authenticity and fairness are common values that people often identify as being important to them. If our actions (or behaviour) is consistent with who we want to be (our values), we are generally quite resilient in the face of challenge and difficulty. They can help give us a sense of purpose, stay focused, make difficult decisions and build positive self regard.

Blocks

Below you will find three common blocks (barriers and misconceptions) that can prevent us from being true to our values.

  • When values conflict

    鈥淚 really want to get this assignment done on time (punctuality) but I need to take my grandmother to the doctor (care/responsibility)鈥. Being pulled between actions that connect with important values can be tricky to navigate. Acknowledge the conflict, ask for advice from someone you trust and be realistic about what we can achieve. Being open about the conflict can also help us see it from another perspective and lead us to come up with a 鈥済ood enough鈥 alternative.

  • Not on your radar

    When we are really busy 鈥渄oing鈥, it can be hard to stop and think about 鈥渂eing鈥. can help to connect our sense of being with our action of doing but only if we start to think about it more deliberately.

  • It doesn鈥檛 feel important

    If we don鈥檛 have a clear reason or belief that making this connection will be useful, we are unlikely to make any time to think about values. So why can values be important? When we are acting like the kind of people we want to be, we can often face challenges more effectively because our goals have meaning. Knowing and is a key feature of resilience.聽

Boosters

Below are three things you can do to boost success.

  • Take 15 minutes to think about a situation where things couldn鈥檛 have gone better

    Ask yourself, 鈥淲hat was it about the situation that I valued?鈥 What does this tell me about what I value more generally? How can you translate this into other actions you take?聽We need to know what we value if we are to base our decisions on it. A is a great way of exploring values.聽

  • How well does what I am about to do match up with what鈥檚 important to me

    Ask yourself, 鈥渙n a scale of 1-10, how well does what I'm about to do match up with what鈥檚 important to me?鈥 and goals is like putting your foot into a good fitting shoe. It feels good and gives you strength to keep going. This can help us make difficult decisions and improve our prioritisation skills.

  • Do something that fits closely with your values

    At the end of the day, reflect back and find an example of something you did that day that fit closely with your values. Notice how you feel when you act in line with your values. Some meditation exercises take you back through the day as a way of settling to sleep.聽You could make reflection something you do when brushing your teeth before bed and use it as a tool to and resilience.

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