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Think fast.
If I asked you to list your core values, what pops into your mind first? Honesty? Passion? Creativity? Determination?
Last week, I explained how your core values are like a compass that keeps you on the right path. They help you stay true to yourself as you work to attain your goals and make an impact.
If you missed my last email, I shared Part 1 of my “Mining for Values” exercise to help you discover your core values. You may want to go complete Part 1 before continuing with this email.
If you finished Part 1 already, you should have your self-reflections and list of potential core values. Now we’re going to move on to the next step!
This week’s exercise will be fast. In fact, it works best if you move quickly and follow your gut.
Before We Begin: Real vs Aspirational Values
The prerequisite for this exercise is to be completely honest with yourself.
We all have aspirational values. These are the values we wish we had. You know, the ones we think should be true…the values that would sound great if you were trying to impress someone.
As we move into the next part of the “Mining for Values” exercise, it’s so tempting to go “shopping for values” and list those that are aspirational…but not really true.
I’m here to remind you that your actual, true values are amazing. What’s most important to you needs no justification. You won’t be any more or less awesome by having a list of values that sounds great to your brother-in-law, your boss, or your neighbor.
Your true core values show up in how you actually live your life.
For example, it might sound cool to say that you value adventure. But if you look at your life with clear eyes and you don’t see adventure showing up in your choices, then maybe it’s not a core value.
So before we head into this exercise, commit to making honest observations in order to get accurate results.
Putting It Into Practice
Are you ready to start the next phase of “Mining for Values”?
Pull out your notes from last week’s exercise where you considered the “Mining for Values” questions and listed a bunch of contenders for your core values. Do a quick review of what you’ve got so far. This will prime the pump for this week’s exercise.
Click this link to download the Values List doc and take a second to save it to your local device. The doc is a fillable PDF but if you don’t save it to your system, you could lose your work! You can click on the circles to turn the checkmarks on and off.
STEP 1: Select Values
Check off all the words that feel true for you. Don’t think too hard. Just check off anything that resonates with you. Go fast!
STEP 2: Narrow Down
Review the list once more. Now that you’ve done a fast and furious scan of the value words, take a bit more time and care, unchecking anything that’s a “maybe” and checking anything you missed. Remember….be totally honest with yourself and uncheck those aspirational values that you added just because you thought you should.
STEP 3: Merge Lists
Combine this new list with the one you made last week so you’ve got it all in one place.
THAT’S IT! Join us next time for the final (and hardest) phase where you’ll narrow down the list to your true core values.
Until then, notice what comes up as you navigate your day-to-day life. Feel what’s really important to you at your core in any situation. This awareness will be helpful when you venture into the final part of this process next week.