RECOGNIZING YOUR MOST IMPORTANT VALUES (AND KNOWING WHAT TO DO WITH THEM)

A “values clarification exercise” is something that I have my clients do at the beginning of each and every career coaching appointment. When I tell them that this exercise could be the most significant and effective one we will perform during the whole program, I always tell them that. Everything you do, say, wear, and consume is based on your fundamental beliefs. This includes everything you do and say. every choice you make, every connection you choose, every job you accept – such as how you organize and prioritize your tasks, how you interact with other people, and the subjects you learned in school. To me, having a clear understanding of your most important values is analogous to having a road plan or design for your life. If you do not know your values, it is the same as “flying blind.” When you eventually do figure out what your most important values are, it’s like someone suddenly turned on the lights after you’ve been living in the dark for a number of years! Having a clear understanding of your core beliefs makes a great deal of things simpler, including decision-making, planning, prioritizing, scheduling, and many other things. Having a clear understanding of “what you’re all about” and “why you do what you do” might help reduce the likelihood of conflict and uncertainty occurring. When you have a firm understanding of your fundamental principles, you have a kind of “inner compass” that helps you stay focused on the things that are most important to you, giving you a genuine feeling of purpose or “mission.” Using the exercise that is provided below, you will be able to identify your own top values. On a scale from one to ten, with one indicating “not significant at all” and ten indicating “extremely important,” rate the following values in order of importance. The backdrop of these questions is “your complete life,” which includes not just your job or career but also your personal life, family life, professional life, and community life. * collaboration/teamwork * management/leadership * money/wealth * security/safety * adventure/discovery * independence/freedom * control people/projects * life balance * friendship/camaraderie * recognition/acknowledgement * fun/enjoyment * achievement/accomplishment * power/influence * logic/analysis * service/contribution * challenge/overcome obstacles * creativity/innovation * technical competency * health/wellness * kindness/generosity * education/knowledge * competition/winning * contentment/peace of mind * purpose/passion * spirituality/higher power * status/prestige * change/variety * beauty/aesthetics After the completion of this activity, I have a conversation with my clients about all of the values that were mentioned above and received a score of eight or above. This is because these are the values that really “run the engine” in their life. The next step is to “force-rank” the top five values in order of relevance for each value. There are some clients who have a little bit of difficulty with this portion of the exercise; nevertheless, after they have recorded their top five values, they always admit how powerful the exercise is and how empowered they feel. Creating “values cards” is the next step in the practice that you will be doing. Simply typing out and writing out their top five values in priority order, and then laminating the list at the size of a credit card or business card, is all that is required to accomplish this. As a matter of fact, I have my customers make anywhere from eight to 10 of these laminated smaller “values cards!” It’s possible that you’re wondering, “What exactly are these cards for, and what are we going to do with them?” I have my customers place these cards “wherever their eyes normally travel,” as the saying goes. (such as a wallet, a leather portfolio, a breast pocket or handbag, the visor of a vehicle, the edge of the computer screen, the door of the refrigerator, the mirror in the bathroom, for example!) As a result, it is inevitable that my customers will be exposed to their “values cards” on several occasions during the day, each and every day. Being exposed to these “values cards” on a consistent basis, on the other hand, is not sufficient. As we grow used to viewing the cards, they have a tendency to “fade into the background like wallpaper.” This is the reason why this situation occurs. In order to avoid this from occurring and to ensure that my customers are able to reap the full benefits of their “values cards,” I tell them to pause and ask themselves the following questions whenever they come across one of their “values cards:” Do I live my life now in a way that is congruent with my values? Am I making choices about my job that are congruent with my core beliefs? * Do I make plans and prioritize things in a way that is consistent with my core beliefs? Am I treating other people in a manner that is congruent with the values that I hold? and maybe most significantly, am I treating myself in a manner that is congruent with the principles that I want to live by? Without a doubt, maintaining a high level of attention to the information contained on these “values cards” requires a great deal of self-control. However, when my clients are successful in forming this habit and when they continuously reflect on the five questions that were presented earlier, they are able to make the required modifications in their way of thinking, their attitude, and their conduct. There are occasions when even very slight adjustments to their fundamental principles may have a significant impact. The greatest part is that when clients maintain their focus on their basic beliefs, they often report experiencing significant changes in practically every aspect of their life. In addition, my clients are able to achieve remarkable results in their job searches and attempts to manage their careers as a result of gaining new levels of clarity and purpose. Within the context of the topic of her fundamental principles, the following is a direct quote from one of my customers: My life has been organized in accordance with the values card that I developed as a part of the career coaching program that I am providing. When I do this, I am not putting myself in any kind of precarious position. As a result of my growth and the way I have adjusted to my new life, I am able to satisfy each and every one of these ideals! You may be able to get the same kinds of exceptional outcomes if you follow the procedures that are detailed above in this “values clarifying exercise.” Your quality of life may also significantly increase if you do so. That is the strength that comes from being aware of your fundamental principles and directing your life in accordance with them! Career potential, LLC is the owner of copyright for the year 2016. Ford R. Myers, a well-known career advisor who is also the author of the book “obtain the job you want, even when no one’s recruiting,” has granted permission for this article to be reproduced here. Please visit http://www.careerbookbonuses.com in order to get your free career success gifts right now. In addition to being the president of career potential, llc, Ford R. Myers is a career coach who often wins awards. Get the job you want, even when no one is hiring is the title of his best-selling book, which he himself authored. Taking ownership of their lives, doing work that they like, and earning what they deserve are all things that Ford’s business assists its clients in doing. There are three of the major career service businesses in the country, and he has held top consulting roles at all of them. Ford’s writings and interviews have been published in a large number of publications, including magazines, newspapers, television networks, and radio systems. He has also given speeches at a variety of organizations, including colleges, groups, and businesses. Ford may be reached directly at 1-800-972-6588 or can be found at www.careerpotential.com for further information.

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