The Value of Values
I believe that exploring and articulating your values will make you happier, healthier and more successful.
Why? Because more than anything I trust my experience - and it worked for me.
So, let's first explore just what we mean by 'values'.
Done badly, values are a lofty set of aspirations painted on the wall of an office and infrequently referred to.
Done well, they are a living, breathing set of qualities, principles or behaviours which encapsulate what is important in one's life. They are the bedrock upon which your career and life goals and decisions are made.
Here I make my case for you investing some valuable time in exploring your own core values:
They are your moral compass
I see values as a sort of decision-making matrix. When I face a tough decision, they act as a sort of filter which I run the decision through which helps me make a more rounded, mature decision. 'Ok, so this fits with my desire to stretch myself and explore but I'm noticing this decision might conflict with the importance of family time'.
In an increasingly complex, uncertain world it can cause us major stress to try and analyse each permutation of each option. Decision fatigue and analysis paralysis are real, and a common quandary my clients is: 'How can I make the best decision for me in the short term - and the long term?'
While your values don't provide a crystal ball, they do help you feel your way towards the decision that is best for you in the moment. And if you're following your heart and choosing a path that is authentically 'you' - it's pretty unlikely that it will turn out to be the wrong decision later on.
They give you the courage to say no to things
Have you ever been given a project or piece of work, or been asked to work with someone or an organisation - and you just don't want to, but you're not sure why. If we go deeper than 'I just don't want to ' or 'I don't like them', my money would be on a values clash. I've turned down work because my values and what I believe to be important in the world don't match the practices or the values of the client. And it's really damn helpful to be able to articulate exactly why that is - whether that is something you share with them or not.
They help reduce stress
I have reflected back on the last five years of my life, there were times when I couldn't sleep so well. I was grumpy, ruminating on conversations in my head. Generally pretty frustrated. If I trace back those times in my life, I was most stressed when I wasn't living my values. When I felt stuck and in my comfort zone instead of exploring and taking time in the outdoors. When I wasn't leading with kindness to myself and others.
In my experience my stress generally came from overwhelm and not having a clear path ahead. Living my values helped by providing a beacon through the fog to help me navigate.
According to this study at the University of California participants who explored and connected with their values were more highly protected from the physiological effects of stress.
They will help make you more successful
A bold claim. But here we go.
This applies both at the individual level and at a team level.
Working with your values you will better know who you are, what you stand for and what drives you and motivates you. This will help you communicate with more confidence and more self-awareness. You'll be able to better express and articulate yourself to your clients, your boss, your colleagues. You values will give you the courage to forge ahead boldly in times of uncertainty or doubt.
As we've learnt above, you'll likely be operating at a lower stress level and with a greater sense of purpose. You'll find you reach a sense of flow - effortless and energised.
I think a lot about different ways to measure success.
Traditionally: status, pay check, amount of nice things, 'power'.
Or, like me, measure success in other ways: positive impact to all stakeholders, levels of satisfaction, sleep quality, amount of time away from the laptop, learning and growing.
However you define it, working in alignment with your values will help you achieve it.
To wrap up...
The Ancient Greeks built their Temple to Apollo at Delphi, inscribing 'Know Thyself'. Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic Philosopher Emperor, noted in Meditations, 'Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if you will always look'.
For thousands of years, the wisest minds in history have been encouraging us to look inwards. To do the work on ourselves.
Knowing who you are will give your life greater clarity, direction, purpose and satisfaction. Exploring your values is a great place to start.
Thank you for staying with me. Here I'll share some resources:
Here's my pick of the websites going a little deeper into values, with some self-study exercises
And here is Simon Sinek speaking very passionately on the right to love your work
If you'd like to explore working with me to articulate or update your values, or just live them a little better, you can book some time with me here
For a deeper dive into the subject, I recommend Susan David's Emotional Agility
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I wish you the very best for the weeks ahead,
George