Understanding Your Values - A Journey of Self-Discovery

Last week, we discussed the importance of getting to know yourself as an act of falling in love with you. This week, let’s kick off this self-love-fest to acknowledge your core values. Just like any other thing worth developing, this journey requires commitment and cultivation. Cultivation is a thing you do. It requires your action and intention. Let’s offer ourselves, this month, the attention we need and deserve. 

Cultivating inner motivation is an intentional journey, a process of developing and improving oneself. It begins with clearing the fog by embracing your authentic self and acknowledging the complexities within. This marks the commencement of a transformative adventure, where vulnerability becomes the gateway to surrounding yourself with a supportive village. Congratulations on taking those initial steps to get over yourself and open up to God's inner healing power!

Exploring Your Interests and Passions

Now that you're more comfortable looking within, let's make this part of the journey fun. Understanding why you do what you do and maximizing the decision-making process is not just insightful but intriguing. We're diving into exploration, identification, and setting the stage for self-discovery.

Potential questions to consider and tips to identify your core values:

Here is a sample list of potential core values. Start with your list of values (ideally 20 but you may have more) and then group together common ones that mean the same thing. Narrow down to 10 and rank them in priority. Try to end with 3-5 primary values. You can always add to the list later. Remember, identifying your core values is a process that takes time and self-reflection. It's important to be honest with yourself and take the time to explore what truly matters to you.

Note: ‘Rank them in priority’ really means bucket the values into three categories:  1- Non-Negotiables/Got to be at peace on my deathbed knowing these have been an active part of my life 2 - Somewhat important/I’d like to have but can function and be fulfilled mostly without 3 - Not that vital to my happiness, peace, and livelihood

Our dissatisfaction is often caused by a misalignment between our core values and what is happening in our lives and work at the moment.

Ask yourself questions like:

- How do I want to feel in life and why?

- Which people in my life inspire me and why?

- What would you do with your time if you no longer needed to work to earn money?

- What do I talk about doing but never do?

- When have you been the happiest?

- What has been your biggest success?

- What has been your biggest failure?

- When have you been most afraid and what do you fear most?

- If I were to make just one radical change in my life right now to make life better, what would it be and why?

- Imagine yourself on your 90th birthday. What do you want to be remembered for?

- If you were to unexpectedly inherit 50 million dollars, how would you spend the money?

- Think about a challenge you’ve experienced in the past. How were you able to get through? What strengths did you exhibit that may have helped you overcome that hard struggle?

- When you daydream, what is it about?

- What are you anxious or stressed about right now?

- What makes you joyful?

- What makes you angry?

- When do I feel the most alive or most satisfied?

Ways to implement your core values into your life:

1. Decision-making with alignment:

   Before settling on a decision, consider whether it aligns with your core values or not. Sticking to your core values keeps you authentic and at peace.

2. Prioritize time and energy:

   Establish a routine, habits, and schedule in line with your core values. I make time for faith, family, freedom, self-care, and learning. No more wasted time and energy when I spend it wisely.

3. Goal-setting becomes clear:

   Use your core values as the foundation for setting personal and professional goals. Ensure you're on the path that matters most to you.

4. Setting boundaries:

   Practice setting boundaries to protect your efforts to improve and transform yourself. Learn to say no to what is not aligned with your core values for inner peace and continuous progress.

5. Cultivate meaningful relationships:

   Recognize people who share similar values and will support your growth, health, and success. Prioritize these relationships for a less stressful and more inspiring life. Learn to let go of relationships that don't align with your core values.

Of course, there are many more ways to incorporate your core values into your daily lifestyle. Get creative with it! If it makes you feel hopeful, peaceful, and inspired, welcome it. If it makes you feel stressed, frustrated or weighed down, reconsider and reevaluate. The point is not to create a prison with your core values, but to create the freedom to be yourself and live for what truly matters. Make it a habit to release everything else with no ill will. It's your journey. Embrace it!

Let me know if this is helpful! If you’d like help walking through this process, I’m happy to partner with you on your journey. Schedule a Meet-n-Greet Strategy session with me for FREE. If you are interested in how to declutter your soul and reconnect with your authentic self, join me in my Facebook Group on Friday evenings for the next 7 weeks as we discuss Dr. Cindy Trimm’s 40-Day Soul Fast. 

Most importantly, get to loving on you! You deserve you! 

Be encouraged. Be empowered. Be at peace, my sister!

Nikki Cates