Did you know that studies have revealed only 2 - 3 % of North Americans are clear about their core values? Most people make big life decisions based on societal expectations instead of their own values. We’ve all done it at some point in our lives. Conform to societal pressures, or live up to the expectations of parents, partners, and friends. Making decisions based on what we feel we should do, not what we really want to do. In today’s episode, we go through a short exercise on how to identify your core values so you can make the best decisions for yourself and live life on your terms.
If you want to learn more about what I teach about finding clarity and creating a life you love full of purpose, passion, and joy, I encourage you to join our community at Joyful Inspired Living. Here’s the link: http://www.joyfuljourney.ca/
About your host:
I’m your host, Anita Adams, an award-winning leader and the founder of Joyful Inspired Living, an organization dedicated to teaching people how to access their highest most authentic selves so they can find clarity and create a life of purpose, passion, and joy. In addition to hosting the Joyful Journey Podcast, I offer retreats, both live and online, and private coaching programs to further guide my clients on their journey to their highest selves.
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Welcome to the joyful journey podcast. If you're looking for more clarity in your life, clarity of purpose or how to activate that purpose, and you are someone who wants to operate from your highest self to be a force for good, you know this world craves, then this is the show for you. I'm Anita Adams, your host and guide to finding clarity and creating a life you love. Let's tap into our inner wisdom, access our highest self and unleash joy. As we do this, we raise our vibration and heighten the collective consciousness. And that my friend, is the joyful journey. Let's dive in.
Anita Adams:
Hey, joyful journey or I need Adams here your host and today we are going to talk about identifying your core values. Before we jump into the theme, I want to shout out Mally gal for her review, Molly gal calls the show a personal journey worth listening to she says thank you for sharing your lifetime of experience. I especially like your personal stories, and how they affect your view of yourself and the world around you. Thanks, melago. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. And today's show includes a little more of my personal storytelling. So let's jump in to understanding core values, which is part of that inward looking Journey to Understanding who you value being. Did you know that studies have revealed only two to 3% of North Americans are clear about their core values. I was shocked when I read that. And yet I can totally believe it as I firmly sat in that 98% for very long time. Most people make big life decisions based on societal expectations instead of their own values. We've all done it at some point in our lives, conform to societal pressures or living up to expectations of parents, partners, friends, making decisions based on what we feel we should do not what we really want to do, or what is most aligned with who we really are. A common example would be taking a job solely because it pays well, even if that means you'll be working a 70 hour week. If financial wealth and independence are your core values, then that's great. However, if family and flexibility are your core values, then you'd be out of alignment if you accept that job, and you'll likely be miserable. I understand that sometimes we need to compromise. In this example, we may need to take that job because it's a stepping stone to something else that does meet our core values. Or we simply need a job and it's the only offer on the table. All of this needs to be weighed when we make a big decision. The problem is, a lot of people don't factor in their core values because they're not clear about what they are. When you understand your core values, the decision making process gets a whole lot easier. If you want to better understand your core values, I have a simple exercise for you. In your journal or on a scrap piece of paper make a list of 10 character traits and values that you either already possess or want want to develop. Perhaps these are qualities you would admire in someone else. If you are having a hard time coming up with 10 traits, I've put a link in the show notes to a personal values chart that you can use to get some ideas. Once you have your 10 character traits and values listed, your next task gets a bit more challenging. Now review your list and then circle your top four values. These are the four ways of being that will guide your life choices. It doesn't mean you are only these four things you are multi dimensional. Of course, understanding these top core values, however, will help you in making big life decisions that are most aligned with who you are. I recommend that every major decision needs to check at least three of these top four values. A good example of how this served me in making a decision is when a friend invited me to join her in a network marketing business. My first reaction to this request was visceral and I'm practically scream No freaking way. I had a few bad experiences with network marketing companies and the people who ran these business in one particular. Now shoot.
Anita Adams:
A good example of how this served me in making a decision is when a friend invited me to join her in a network marketing business. My first reaction to this request was visceral. And I practically screamed, no frigging way. I'd had a few bad experiences with network marketing companies in the past and the people who ran these businesses. So I just didn't want to be a part of that. In one particular unpleasant case, I had to threaten to call the cops to physically remove someone from my home who insisted I join his team, or at least buy his products. It was such an infuriating experience, and one that left a sour, sour, sour taste in my mouth for the profession. And I most definitely did not want to be one of those people. However, out of respect for my friend, and a wee bit of curiosity as to why with this, this smart business woman who I've known for years, why would she get involved with a network marketing company. Without those questions, and curiosity, I agreed to look at the material, she gave me an sample the products. Quickly, I discovered, not only did I really like the products, I also realized the business model was very aligned with my top four values, family, freedom, flexibility, and fun. It didn't take much longer to come to the conclusion that this new business option was a good fit for me, I was looking for another way to supplement my revenue of my nonprofit business that I was running. And so I decided to jump in. Even though I had friends and more than just one or two who tried to discourage me from getting involved. This business still plays a role in my life. Years later, it was the right decision for me because it's so closely aligned with my core values. If I wasn't clear on those values, I'm sure I would have passed on the opportunity to work with this company, and lost all the invaluable experience that building that business taught me. Interestingly, and as a bit of a side note, this network marketing business played a significant role in bringing me to where I am today, I met some key people who influenced and inspired me, who got me thinking more about my spiritual growth alongside my personal and professional growth, and who opened my mind to new possibilities and ways of being it seems, it was all part of the bigger plan that perhaps only God and my higher self were aware of. This network marketing business was one of the bread crumbs I now feel the universe laid out before me to follow an understanding my core values helped me more clearly recognize what was right in front of me. I did have someone challenged me about my core values. I get family, she said, and even freedom as a core value, but fun and flexibility. Those seem trivial. I understood where she was coming from, wouldn't integrity, generosity, leadership, and trust be better core values. These are definitely part of my 10. But I chose family freedom, fun and flexibility as my top four because they capture the essence of the way I want to live my life and how I want to feel as I move through life. I use these core values as guiding post for making all my life decisions. I learned the hard way that family needs to be first. In order to make Family First I need the freedom and flexibility to be able to invest my time with them. And it's absolutely essential, fun in everything I do. This is why these are my top four values. It took some time to figure this out. So invest the time you need to get clear on your core values to your core values may change as you change and as your life circumstances change. So come back to this list from time to time and ask Are these Still my core values is this still the way I want to live and prioritize my life. Again, there is a link in the show notes that will take you to a landing page with a chart of these personal traits and values. This is by no means an exclusive list, but it's a good starting point. While you're there, take a moment and fill in the form below it and join the joyful inspired living community. If you need some further guidance in identifying core values and creating a life aligned with who you really are, and that will bring you the greatest joy reach out and let's connect about my coaching programs. I've got something that would be perfect for you.
