101 Changes: Change 12- How To Find What Is Most Important Thing For You? (3 comments)
I am writing a series of 101 small changes that we can make to make the quality of our life better and build and lead a more happier life that is in tune with our heart and mind. These are small changes that I have made and am working on right now, so I know they are possible for anyone to do.
If you have not read previous posts, check out a few posts on the changes from the past:
101 changes: Change 11- How to find your artistic or creative side
Most Important Thing
Do you know the most important thing in your life? I thought I did. I always knew that being financial independent, healthy, and having a love and care from my family and friends was the best thing for anyone. I have written about finding core values before, and I am aware that many of us get often overwhelm with life’s chore and things we all must do that leaves little time for anything else.
Only thing was that I was not really following my own personal values. I thought I was doing okay and living the best life until recently. Often time we are too busy, or spend time in “perceived” important things that we may lose sight of what is truly important things in our life and how to make time for those most important things.
- A good old and “Tell like It is” friend told me, that I was so engrossed in my writing projects lately to ignore family and friends.
- I saw an accident where some stranger lost his life in blink of an eye. Life is too short.
These two events shook me up and made re-look at my priorities again to see truly what is important to me and I wanted to share.
While being financial independent is important to me, I want to make sure I have time for my loved ones and make money without losing my morals and ethics.
How to Make Sure You are Living the Best Life You can Live?
Many of us have many passions and hobbies. Many times we do things because we like it, other times, we do things because we have to; such as working at a job we do not like, so that we can pay bills. There are other things that we must do have no choice such as doing dishes, waking up at middle of night for sick child or sick friend and so on.
While both might be somewhat uncomfortable, second one has more value as it is about people you care about. Yet, many of us will say money is not important and it will not bring long term happiness yet we do things for these job or making money which is not aligned with our own personal core values.
Before we can get anywhere, we must look at within ourselves to see what ticks us, what makes us happy and what are our core personal values are. Once we understand that living and making living choices becomes much easier.
A while ago, I had gone through this exercise but it is important to follow up and see if they still hold true.
How to find out your True Personal Value?
While our priorities may change with time, our inner core personal values generally tend to stay constant. The best way I have found to find a personal core value is through following steps;
Step 1: Look through list of Values you think that describes you. If you need help with list of Values, here are some example.
- Accomplishment
- Success
- Accountability
- Adventure
- Peace
- Beauty
- Commitment
- Community
- Connection
- Improvement
- Creativity
- Decisiveness
- Democracy
- Justice
- Peace
- Happiness
- Faithfulness
- Equality
- Diversity
- Compassion
- Family
- Freedom
- Friends
- Financial
- Honesty
- Independent
- Leadership
- Loyalty
- Love
- Knowledge
- Money
- Personal Growth
- Wealth
- Resourceful
- Respect
- Quality
- Security
- Status
- Trust
- Wisdom
- Unity
- Legacy
There are more choices of personal values, if you need more personal value suggestions, but I have found this to be top best choices that work with most of the people.
Step 2: Pick 10 Values that you think describes you well. This step is longest as it requires deep thinking from within. Take your time, there is no rush.
Step 3: Once you have narrowed it down to 10 values, select top 5 values. Why? Because it is easier to go from 10 to 5 choices compared to many to 5 choices. Once you have these 5 values, that is what your values are.
Step4: Before making any decision, on a new job or new change of any sort, go through your top 5 values to see if that aligns with your core values.
Try not to do things that are not in your core values, even if monetary rewards are high. Why? Have you seen some people they have money and things that money can buy but they do not seem to enjoy it and seem unhappy? I am guessing, it is most likely because of inner core value conflict.
Just imagine living the best life you can be, when you are living conscious, value driven life and career that is meaningful to your own personal values!
Also see:
How to find personal Value : Part 1
How to find personal value : Part 2
101 changes: change 13: Reduce eating fast food and eat healthy
Zengirl
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Hi Preeti!
This is an eye opening post for me. I did the exercise and will do my best to stick with my core values, no matter what. I pretty much do that, but I’ll be more conscious about this in the future.
Take care,
Evelyn
Evelyn recently posted..When the Comments are Few (keep blogging)
Evelyn,
Let me know how it goes after you do it. You seemed like a well organized person, so I thought you had it under control. I had done this while ago, but re confirming these values periodically surely helps as I have learned.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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