Love, safety, freedom, security, pleasure – can you imagine choosing between these? Which is more important to you at any given moment? It sounds like the plot of every major movie or book series.
In reality, though, these are the choices we all make daily. We choose safety over love, freedom over security, pleasure over health, repeatedly. When we constantly feel like we have to sacrifice one value for the sake of another, this creates a “lose-lose” situation, often leading to confusion, sadness, anxiety, and other things that can get in the way of us leading successful and fulfilling lives.
But what if it didn’t have to be that way? What if you knew at any moment what your values were and the choices you could make that honor all of them simultaneously?
You can! That is part of the journey that many clients walk down in counseling and is part of an informed, client-centered approach. By recognizing your values and how to honor them best, you can lead with authenticity and integrity at every step.
“But what if I’m wrong?!” we often hear clients say during a session. “What if my values make me a bad person?”
If you’re asking this question and are concerned about it, then the likelihood of you being morally corrupt is minimal. You may make bad decisions, but it’s essential to separate poor decision-making from the core of who you are. Furthermore, when you recognize and are aware of your value priorities, you are more equipped to make the healthiest choices and feel the best for how you want to live your life. When we “stick our head in the sand,” it only perpetuates this negative thought process.
So let’s jump in! What values are your top ten when you can only choose ten? Reference the list at the bottom of this page to spark ideas, but remember, your values may not be listed, so don’t be afraid to go outside of it.
After you go through and identify the ones you resonate with the most, write them down somewhere you can see them often. When faced with a choice, take a moment to review the list and explore choices that honor the majority of the list in front of you.
Are you the person who is ready to make REAL and ACTUAL changes? Do you want an expert to walk you through these steps and develop a personalized plan that works within your value system? Call us today to set up a free consultation to get started with one of our highly trained clinicians!
Authenticity
Achievement
Adventure
Authority
Autonomy
Balance
Beauty
Boldness
Compassion
Challenge
Citizenship
Community
Competency
Contribution
Creativity
Curiosity
Determination
Fairness
Faith
Fame
Friendships
Fun
Growth
Happiness
Honesty
Humor
Influence
Inner Harmony
Justice
Kindness
Knowledge
Leadership
Learning
Love
Loyalty
Meaningful Work
Openness
Optimism
Peace
Pleasure
Poise
Popularity
Recognition
Religion
Reputation
Respect
Responsibility
Security
Self-Respect
Service
Spirituality
Stability
Success
Status
Trustworthiness
Wealth
Wisdom