Discover Your Core Values 101
Hello there! I'm thrilled to share insights about discovering your core values—an exercise that's been instrumental in my life journey. Back in September '19, I embarked on this quest to help make a crucial career decision. Let's dive into this valuable exercise together, and I promise, it'll be both enlightening and practical.
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Begin with a free brainstorming session. Note down phrases, words, or ideas that resonate with you. Whether they relate to your ideal work environment, describe your character, or hold personal significance, they belong on your list. Use a scale of importance to gauge the depth of your connection with each item — you can make up the scale, but start simple with 1-5 or 1-10. At this stage, I really encourage you to jot down anything that resonates with you – phrases, words, or ideas that strike a chord. This is the fun, exploratory part!
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From your brainstorming sessions, identify larger themes that emerge. Refine your list, and then take the time to sit with it, ponder, and mull over it. Organize and edit it again, and repeat this process several times. With each review, your values will become more crisp, clear, and concise.I still find myself today making udpates and revisions as I go through life — this is not a 1 and done refinement process! Nonetheless, focus on getting at least a starting draft that’s crisp, precise, and specific. Try to limit yourself to no more than 10 (and really 5-8 is a sweet spot!).
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As you delve into your values, you'll naturally begin to identify the superpowers they unlock in you. Consider how your values align with your abilities. For instance, if you deeply value achievement and impact, you might find that you're naturally driven and excel at articulating goals, setting a vision, and inspiring teams.