Last time we looked at all possible values and did exercise to find your top 10 values. Then we narrowed it down to top 5, most important values that describes who you are;
If you have not read or done this exercise, please look at How to find your values: Part 1 of this series before reading this article.
If you have followed the steps and done the exercise right, you will have top 5 values, let’s put them in order of importance. Why this step? Is it necessary? Yes, and I will explain it with an example, so it is easy for all of us to understand. Core thing is finding your own values is tofinding a simple balance between what your heart and mind wants , once you got the balance life choices becomes easier to make.
Why order of priorities is important?
For example, Ryan has narrowed down to 5 values and out of these values, one of them is providing for his family, and other one is being ethical and moral. Let’s say, Ryan is without a job and savings and his family is starving. He has not put these values in order of importance to him. Let’s suppose, if he gets a opportunity to find a job that pays well enough and provides for his family, but it is unethical and morally wrong for him. So Ryan takes the job, thinking feeding his family is #1 priority, but once in a job, he is unhappy and loses motivation to keep doing a job he does not believe in. The reason is that for Ryan providing for his family is very important but not at cost of losing his ethics and morals.
Solution:
Once Ryan becomes aware of this fact, he may take low pay job that is more close to his ethics or he may find other alternative until such a job/career comes along. It might seem hard but Ryan can have both, his ethics and providing, caring for his family with little thinking and some hard work, it is not impossible to have your cake and eat it too.
There are no right or wrong way to prioritize your values or choose your values. Just make sure you choose it for your self and not to look good in front of someone. Both exercise is for you only, once you think, you ought to, should etc, you will not follow your own heart and your values might not be aligned with what you TRULY desire. I know this is very easy to mess this step up, because I have done so a few times before. For example, when I left my six figure plus bonus job to be at home with a child then, I looked crazy to many, including my own parents. I had a lot to lose, nice income, perks, traveling to US and Europe, feeling of importance that my position provided me, many work friends among a few other things. I did lose huge amount of money, perks and a few so called friends in the process, but I gained what is very important to me, my child then (now kids), my family and most of all my sanity.
For me being financially independent is important but I do not care to be filthy rich. You see there is a difference. We all tend to agree money does not bring happiness yet we often worry about money and everything related to money. For sake of transparency here, I am going to share my top 5 values here; Would you like to share yours?
1. Family
2. Health
3. Financial freedom
4. Learning/Knowledge
5. Compassion/Kindness
Some people I know have gone ahead and wrote personal mission statement about themselves like many companies do. It may seem like a lot of thinking work for some, and it works for some. Once you have done hard work of finding your values, writing mission statement becomes easier. Mission statement should include, what you truly value, what your goals are and how you will achieve them. It could be eating healthier, or slowing down etc. Have measurable goals such as I want to eat green leafy vegetables, 3 days in a week, or I want to keep Wednesday evening for my family, that means no to other engagement.
If you need help with building your personal, family mission statement or values, you can do so free atFranklin Covey Build a mission statement . You need to provide email so they can send you your values and statement there. One can have different mission statement for personal, family, career, or business use, it is up to you.
A few of the most important aspect of finding your value excercie is to remember;
1. This is big and deep thinking task, do it slowly but do it. If you do not take action, it will not happen. Break it down in small tasks or steps and follow through it.
2. Write it down, where you can see it, remember it. Hand written in notebook is the best way.
3. Find values that are important to YOU, not to impress others.
4. Be flexible, it is okay to change your values or mission statement. We all review and refine as our life changes. Values generally does not change but your thinking can change, so it is not set in a stone, change as you need.
5. Do not copy other successful people, be You, the original.
The whole purpose is to know and understand who you are and what truly makes you happy and living the best life for yourself.
Was this post useful? Would you like to add anything to it? I sure would love to hear from you.
Zengirl
Image Source: www.alteringoutcomes.com
Zengirl,
I have done what you suggested on part 1 of value article and this just came in right time. I have seen many other site talk about importance of values but none talk about how to achieve it. Thank you, I am going to follow this steps too.
.-= Mgirl´s last blog ..Great books on money making : Must Read =-.
Mgirl,
Thank you for kind words and constant support here. I am glad you were able to follow step easily. I am sure there are other places that talk about “values”, this is my perspective and what has worked me, simplified process. Good luck, let me know how part helped you.
Hi,
Finally, I was waiting for this part2 ! I am all pumped up as I have my top 5 values and it feels so good knowing it. I guess I sort of knew it but now I know for SURE! Thank you.
I read book on personal values before but it never gave me enough inspiration to get started until your article.
Megan,
Thanks. I am glad you were pumped enough to finish the task of finding values. It feel good when you finish the exercise, don’t you? As we know inside we have done something good for ourselves. Thanks for comment here and support here.
Here are my Five Values
1. Family
2. Help others in their time of need
3. Not deceiving any one.
4. Being Happy
5. Finding the best in every situation in life
This has been a good exercise in both the parts of this subject. I have not yet gone through making a mission statement, but will work on it.
Keep up the good work!
Kamal,
Thank you for sharing your personal values here. You just made my day! It was actually useful! It sure feel good to be helpful 🙂
I am sure you will have mission statement in no time too. I hope it will make positive influence in your ongoing life. Thank you for constant support here.
Zengirl,
Time for me to complete part 2 of the exercise. Thanks for this follow-up post!
.-= Betsy Bargain´s last blog ..Brew Up Some Cheap Fun =-.
Betsy,
You’re welcome. I hope this was useful to you in some ways. Let me know how it went for you.
i am bit far from being a minimalist but i like the idea, at least it will save me lots of space where i live, thanks for your insight 🙂
.-= Farouk´s last undefined ..Response cached until Thu 13 @ 7:49 GMT (Refreshes in 23.97 Hours) =-.
Farouk,
I believe, You posted comment in for another post here. Minimalism can be different to different people, doing what works for you is always a great idea. If you get more room in your house that is added benefit right? Thanks for stopping by.
Hi zengirl,
How’s life going? Hope everything is fine.
When we try to make a list of things that make us happy, its amazing that we understand how small things can make us happy always.I’m happy as a child when I read books, especially some parts of them.And when I realize it’s Saturday, just after open my eyes in bed, happiness floods as I have no other free days.Well,if I go one by one, it will be a long list 🙂
.-= vikum´s last blog ..Against the friction =-.
Vikum,
Life is going on fine. Thanks for asking, how about you? How were your exams?
I love reading too, I am glad you you get to enjoy Saturday! Write long list, more reasons, more chance to be happy right.
.-= ZenGirl´s last blog ..10 simple things that make me happy! =-.
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