Let's chat about something that might seem a bit abstract but is actually super important for your happiness at work – your core values.
Don't worry, we're not diving into philosophy textbooks here. We're talking about the things that really matter to you, deep down.
Why Your Values Matter at Work
Imagine wearing shoes that are just a bit too tight. They look great, but by the end of the day, you're dying to kick them off. That's what it feels like when your job doesn't align with your values. It might seem fine on the surface, but something just doesn't feel right.
Take Lisa, for example. She was killing it in her high-powered sales job. Great salary, fancy title, the works. But she felt drained every single day. After some soul-searching, Lisa realised that one of her core values was creativity, and her job just wasn't allowing her to express that. Once she understood this, she was able to talk to her boss about taking on some marketing projects alongside her sales role. The result? She felt more fulfilled and actually performed better in her sales role too.
Identifying Your Core Values
Now, you might be thinking, "That's great for Lisa, but how do I figure out my own values?" Don't worry, I've got you covered. Here are some questions to get you started:
1. What makes you feel truly happy and fulfilled?
2. What kind of behaviour from others really bothers you?
3. What topics can you talk about for hours without getting bored?
4. When have you felt most proud of yourself?
Let's look at another example. Maria always felt uncomfortable during office gossip sessions. She realized that honesty and kindness were two of her core values, and the gossip violated both. Understanding this helped her set boundaries and even influenced her colleagues to create a more positive work environment.
Why It Matters for Your Career
Knowing your values isn't just about feeling good (although that's important too!). It can actually help you make better career decisions. When Lisa was offered a promotion that would mean less time with her family, she was torn. But because she had done the work to identify that family was one of her top values, she was able to make a decision she felt good about – negotiating flexible hours instead of taking the promotion outright.
Activities to Identify Your Core Values
Ready to dig into your own values? Here are three activities to try:
The Peak Experiences Exercise:
- Think about 3-5 peak experiences in your life – times when you felt truly alive and fulfilled. Write them down in detail. What values were you honouring during these experiences?
The "Scratch Paper" Technique:
- Grab a piece of paper and quickly jot down anything that comes to mind when you think about what's important to you. Don't overthink it! After a few minutes, look at your list and see if you can group similar items together. These groups often point to core values.
The "Workday Audit":
- For a week, jot down moments during your workday when you feel particularly energised or particularly drained. At the end of the week, look for patterns. The energising moments often align with your values, while the draining ones might be clashing with them.
Remember, identifying your values isn't a one-time thing. As you grow and change, your values might shift too. The important thing is to stay tuned in to what really matters to you.
So, what do you say? Ready to dive into some value exploration? Trust me, understanding your core values can be the first step towards a more fulfilling career and life. You've got this!
Embark on your journey with a delightful Core Values Session: Invest £29, specially designed for amazing women like you and beyond.
What You'll Get:
1. A clear understanding of your core values and how they relate to your career
2. A visual representation of your Values Alignment Matrix
3. A personalised PDF summary of your session, including your matrix and action plan
Did this blog post help you gain clarity or inspire positive changes in your career journey?
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