Value /ˈvaljuː/ noun
1. The regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.
2. The moral principles and beliefs or accepted standards of a person or social group.
Yeah, I’m that idiot beginning a blog with a definition. Let’s move past that once you’ve read it a few times.
To paraphrase a conversation I had with Simon Cooper and Logan Gelbrich on Virtus Podcast #83 – “Imagine getting to 32 years of age and not being able to identify your core values, the things you believe and feel are most important in this world”
This started me on a little bit of a rabbit hole. Why do we need values? What do they give us? How can they help? Why bother? and of course, It allowed be space to assess my values, 6 words which I have identified, articulated and refined over the past few years. I like reading, that’s no secret, and I realised early on the importance of having values. So i guess I was fortunate that I stumbled across the need for them early on.
Values are important because they provide the framework for you to stand up for what you believe in.
I’m fortunate enough to have realised this importance. If it wasn’t for Virtus, and the responsibility I feel to consistently be learning and growing, I may have missed this important life lesson. A lesson which I now utilise as a pillar of who I am and what I am doing.
Can you name your core values, and articulate the why behind each one?
If you can, then you understand the importance of defining your values, and you can pass this onto someone else. If you can’t, then maybe this little blog will be of use to you.
This will potentially inspire you to sit down and think deeply about what is really important to you. Your value system can drive you towards the life you want to live, and away from the life you don’t.
When creating my Values. I tried to stick to a few key intentions. They must be meaningful and memorable words. Ones that incite emotion. I want to feel excited by the prospect of living by them. They must lean on my strengths. If I am being the best version of myself, these are the words that I live by. They inspire me to transcend and include my current capacity, capabilities and edges. Simply put, they will force me to become the person I want to be.
Below are my values, with a simple definition. In my next few blog posts, I’ll dive deeper into each one.
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Connection: Connecting with myself, the world around me, with others and with the unknown.
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Love: To love and to be loved.
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Excellence: Consistently showing up with the best version of yourself. Constant evolution.
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Awareness: I am in tune with who I am, what I am and what I need.
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Integrity: Doing what I said I would do, when I said I would do it.
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Freedom: To be able to live the life I desire.
“Your personal core values define who you are, and a company’s core values ultimately define the company’s character and brand. For individuals, character is destiny. For organisations, culture is destiny.”
Tony Hsieh,
Once your core values have been identified, your next step is to live them, and albeit objectively, measure the extent at which you are living up to your values. I use a simple metric. One that I can touch base with every few months.
Rate each of your core values out of five. 1: Poor, 5: Excellent. Once you have done this you’ll be left with individual scores, and a total.
The next step. Set yourself 1-2 action points to help improve each number number.
For example my last rating/ action board looked like this.
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Love: 4/5
Action 1: Find more time for KP. At least 1 intentional date per week
Action 2: Do something for someone else each day without them knowing it was me.
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Excellence: 3/5
Action 1: Get my sleep back on track. Aim is 7 1/2 Hours minimum. (Currently at 6)
Action 2: Greet each client with a smile on my face. Be excited to see them.
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Awareness: 3/5
Action 1: Continue Daily Journalling (155 Days in a row)
Action 2: Connect with people around me by asking inquisitive questions. 1 Per conversation.
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Connection: 2/5
Action 1: Get back into daily meditation (10 minutes)
Action 2: Spend 2-3 hours per week at the beach or walking in nature.
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Integrity: 3/5
Action 1: Check myself each time I delay a task that can be done now.
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Freedom: 2/5
Action 1: Get control of my finances – Meeting with accountant and execution of daily tracking
As you can see, at 17/30 I have some work to do. That target of 30 will be like a horizon, I can continue to walk towards it, but I’ll always be chasing it. I’m completely content knowing that. What I do know is that the person I will become through living these values will far exceed my current capacities and intentions.
Cheers to you, and your values
Lachie
