Why Values are Valuable

core values

In my earlier post "Ways to Regain Control in Your Life," I discussed the significance of time management. Understanding your values is crucial in this process. However, you must first identify your values.

Values represent what is most important to you, such as honesty, family, faith, integrity, and so forth. To take control of your life, you should begin by asking yourself:

1. What values guide your life?

2. What behaviors control your actions?

3. Do your values and behaviors align?

Consider the above question # 3. If your actions do not align with your values, you will experience internal conflict. Imagine telling everyone you value health while smoking a cigarette and devouring a double cheeseburger? They just don't align. What might be the outcomes of this conflict?

1. Unnecessary stress

2. Difficulty in advancing towards your goals or purpose.

3. Ineffectiveness in completing the appropriate tasks.

Your values need to be in harmony with your actions. So how can you accomplish this, and what steps are necessary? I'm glad you asked. Begin by identifying your core values. I've included a list of some values to help you get started. Take your time with this and, of course, add any other values that may not be on this list. Pray for wisdom and discernment, and then pray for the strength to live by your values.

• Achievement Recognition Ambition Excitement Determination

• Family Faith Positive Attitude Sense of Humor Financial Security

• Love Joy Worship Reading God's Word Passion Creativity

• Perfection Success Excellence Comfort Material Security Fame

• Integrity Organization Happiness Discernment Truth Purity

• Power Wisdom Compassion Peace Friends Family Honesty

1. Ensure your list is as comprehensive as possible. Again, don't hesitate to include any values that aren't on the list above.

2. Examine the list you have finished, and then highlight the 12 values that matter most to you.

3. Now cross off 5 of them.

4. Examine the 7 remaining values, eliminate another 4 of them, and keep 3.

5. The last step is to rank the remaining three values, assigning 1 to the most important.

I understand that this process was likely more challenging than you anticipated. I mean, who knew narrowing down a list of core values could feel like trying to pick a favorite child? It was so difficult to reduce the list to just three! At one point, my initial list contained around 20 core values—each one more important than the last. So What comes next? You've identified the three most important values in your life. Now, it's time to integrate these values into every decision, thought, action, and word you express. By aligning your actions with your values, you'll discover that you'll make wiser choices, gain more confidence, experience less stress, and manage your time more effectively. You'll become your true self, which is the person God intended you to be.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, Please grant us wisdom and discernment to identify our core values. Guide us in aligning these values with our actions and provide us with the strength to adhere to them. May we strive to be the person you created us to be. In Jesus' name...Amen.