It’s easy to ignore our health until something urgent comes up. The same can be said for our values, which typically lie beneath the surface of our everyday decisions and are often overlooked. Values are our core beliefs that define what’s important to us. They set our priorities and help us assess if our life is heading in the right direction.
Think of values as your brain’s operating system, quietly influencing your thoughts, decisions, and actions by connecting them to your guiding principles. If you don’t consciously ensure that your actions reflect your values, there’s a risk of forgetting or compromising them.
Values are crucial to navigating life. They shape your identity, distinguish between right and wrong, and define what truly matters. Values provide purpose and direction, guiding decisions and setting standards for acceptable behavior. They foster consistency, which nurtures trust, while also playing a pivotal role in preserving culture and driving social change. In essence, values serve as the foundation for effective leadership, guiding both personal development and collective progress.
Values are like a pilot’s flight plan…without them you’re flying blind.
What Matters Most to You?
Consider the choices you make and their impact on your life. Do your actions align with your values? Use the guide below to help you define what’s important to you.
- Do you take charge of your life or rely more on others?
- Are you a saver or a spender?
- Do you value relationships over possessions?
- Are your decisions guided by what is right or what is convenient?
- Are you a doer or a dreamer?
- Do you accept responsibility for your choices or blame others for your circumstances?
- Would you sacrifice leisure time for money?
- Does faith play an important role in your life?
- Do you take risks, or do you prefer a conservative approach?
- What sacrifices are you willing to make to get what you want?
- Do you give more than you take?
- Do you nourish your mind as well as your body?
- Do you set ambitious goals, or prefer less challenging ones?
- How much do you let others influence your choices?
- Do you live in the present or relive the past?
- Do you prefer many acquaintances or a few deep relationships?
- Do you value others’ opinions more than your own?
- Do you try your best or do just enough to get by?
- Do you celebrate others’ success or envy their achievements?
- Do you defend your beliefs or abandon your principles?
- Do you keep an open mind or stick to long-standing views?
- Do you run toward your problems or away from them?
- Do you have a can-do attitude, or let difficult times get the best of you?
- Do you let work demands encroach on your personal life?
- Do you complete tasks early, or wait till the last minute?
- Do you speak out against injustice, or do you remain silent?
- Are you grateful for what you have, or do you take things for granted?
- Do you want to be remembered for what you have or who you are?
Stay True to Your Values
Ultimately, we all face a fundamental question: How will I choose to live my life? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer; the best path is whatever feels right for you. Knowing what truly matters and faithfully honoring those principles — regardless of circumstance — will shape your journey toward a meaningful life. What more can you ask for? That’s the value of values.
Check out Frank’s latest book, BECOME: Unleash the Power of Moral Character and Be Proud of the Life You Choose
Do You Live Your Values?
Please leave a comment and tell us what you think or share it with someone who can benefit from the information.
Additional Reading:
Living Life with a Purpose
Are You a Giver or a Taker?
Live By Example and Inspire Others to Do the Same
Is Self-Reliance More Than a Buzzword?
Do You Do Your Best or Just Enough to Get By?
25 Actions That SHOUT Strong Work Ethic
Are You Preparing Your Kids for the Real World?
The Consequences of No Consequences
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