Discovering and Integrating Your Core Values
An All Too Familiar Story
John was a pastor who prided himself on his strong moral compass and lived his life guided by principles of honesty and faithfulness. His leadership and communication skills, coupled with a strong work ethic propelled John to leadership in one the denomination’s largest congregations.
The demands of John’s call made for long days in the church office and less time with his family, especially his wife, Michelle. John kept promising Michelle and himself that he would slow down and reconnect but the urgent consistently crowded out the important.
One early August John hired Ava as the church’s new youth director. Eva was a young and attractive woman filled with leadership potential. Seeing a bit of his younger self in Ava, John invested time into mentoring her. It wasn’t long before John recognized their growing attraction, but rather than heed the internal alarm bells, John convinced himself that he was just investing into a future leader.
Today, John is divorced and sells insurance. He was removed from congregational leadership and stripped of his clergy credentials. His failure to align his decisions with his core values cost him more than he could have imagined and left a trail of relational wreckage and broken trust.
John’s story serves as a powerful and painful reminder of the importance of staying true to oneself, even in the face of temptation. It teaches us that compromising our values can ultimately lead to a self-inflicted downfall, leaving us with nothing but regret and a shattered sense of self.
"Ignoring your core values is like trying to build a house on a shaky foundation. Eventually, the cracks will appear, and everything you've built will come crashing down. Stay true to your values, for they are the pillars that hold your life together."
The Power of Core Values
Albert Schweitzer once said, "The most important thing in life is to find out what your true values are and align your life accordingly." Countless individuals have failed to follow that sage advice and, ignoring their own moral compass, wound up lost in the land of regret. Others have never taken the time to discover and integrate their core values into daily life, leaving them adrift. How about you?
Our core values are the guiding principles that help us make decisions and navigate life. They shape who we are as individuals and professionals. Discovering and integrating them into our lives can be a catalyst for achieving greater success and happiness. In this blog post, we’ll explore why it’s important to identify your core values and how you can integrate them into your personal and professional life.
Improved Decision Making
When you’re clear about your core values, you can make decisions that align with them. This creates more clarity and consistency in your decision-making process. You’re less likely to get swayed by the opinions of others or make decisions based on what others prioritize. For example, if one of your core values is honesty, you’d always choose to tell the truth, even if it’s difficult or uncomfortable. Choosing to align your decisions with your core values can build trust and create a sense of authenticity with your colleagues and team members.
"Your core values are the foundation upon which you build your life. They serve as a compass, guiding your decisions and actions in both your personal and professional endeavors."
Greater Clarity of Purpose
Another benefit of identifying your values is that it helps you become more aligned with your sense of purpose. When you understand what values are important to you, you can create goals and targets that are in line with those priorities. This sense of purpose can anchor you in times of stress or uncertainty. For example, if your core value is continuous learning, you might choose to take on a challenging project or seek out challenging learning opportunities that will help you grow your skills.
Improved Energy and Motivation
Living out your core values can also help increase your energy and motivation. When you’re doing what you love and are living according to your guiding principles, you’ll feel more motivated to pursue your goals and tasks. This can contribute to higher levels of productivity and job satisfaction. For example, if one of your core values is innovation, you might be more inclined to experiment with new ideas and technologies, even if they’re risky. This can lead to new discoveries, new approaches, and fresh thinking.
Improved Alignment with Others
When you’re clear about your core values, you can more easily connect with others who share those same values. This can lead to stronger relationships in personal and professional settings. It can also create a sense of cohesion and teamwork, which can enhance the overall success and productivity of a team. For example, if one of your core values is collaboration, you’ll be more invested in building strong relationships with your colleagues and working together to achieve the same goals.
Improved Sense of Self
Ultimately, defining and living your core values is about creating a stronger sense of self. When you commit to living by your values, you’re committing to living an authentic life that is grounded in what really matters to you. This level of self-awareness can lead to greater personal and professional fulfillment because you’re more connected to your own identity and purpose.
Integrating your core values into your personal and professional life can be a game-changer for your life. By clarifying your values, you’ll gain greater clarity, motivation, and focus in your life. It can also help you become more connected with others and enhance your overall sense of fulfillment. Ready to discover and integrate your core values? Download my Core Values Workbook here. It’s a great tool to help you explore your values and integrate them into your daily life. By living by your values, you’re shaping the life you want to live, instead of just letting life happen to you.
