8 questions to help you discover the core values you live by

Are you living life according to your values?
Does your life currently mirror any of these statements?
You are often unhappy and demotivated.
You are often negative and tired.
You are not being a great role model (if a parent or leader).
Positivity, truth, and integrity represent a few of the things we all regard as core values. Creating and laying foundations for your ideal life involves understanding what really matters to you.
Whether you recognize them or not, all of us have a set of personal core values.
Core values: a principle or belief that a person (or organization) views as being of central importance to them.
Some values have been with us since our early childhood, we may have acquired them from within our family, religion, peer groups, or even educational establishments. Sometimes we are not entirely aware of our values, because they only come to our attention when they are confronted. Even then, we sometimes don’t realize why we feel challenged or discontent.
Becoming aware of your values and beliefs can also help you to understand what may be holding you back from doing what you really want to do.
“Living a life that conflicts with the values that are important to you, is akin to being a ship bobbing around in the sea without any direction and at the mercy of the waves.”
Having well-defined core values helps us avoid making choices that work against who we want to be. They become a clear set of guidelines for our words and actions, consistently moving us in the direction aligned with our core beliefs and personal vision.
Our life becomes one of our choosing, not one that is directed by the decisions of others. Our values help us build and maintain our identity as unique individuals. Roy E. Disney, once a senior executive for the Walt Disney Company once said:
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” Roy E. Disney
Unlike my opening postulations, tell-tell signs of a person living their values are:
They are happy and motivated.
They are positive and energized.
They are a great role model.
Knowing and understanding your values can provide several benefits that include:

• Reducing stress
• Making better decisions
• Finding environments and people that support your aspirations
• Increasing joy and happiness
• Supporting your growth and development
• Helping in times of conflict or confusion
• Growing contribution and value
• Providing motivation

I believe people who know the values by which they live, will better understand the choices they make.
You can discover some of your core values by completing the exercise below and asking yourself what matters to you in life.
Here are 8 questions that can help you begin to understand which core values you live by.
Exercise 1
Recall a time when things were going well for you, then write down what comes to mind.
Q1. What were you doing?
Q2. What feeling(s) did you have that told you things were going well?
Q3. Which core values were being fulfilled here?
Exercise 2
Recall a time when things were not going so well.
Q4. What was happening here that was different from the time above?
Q5. Which core values do you believe, were being dishonored here?
Extra questions to consider when trying to discover your core values.
Q6. When you are celebrating your 90th birthday, what do you want to celebrate about your life?
Q7. What are you doing when you feel the most content?
Q8. What inspires you to take action?
Coaching can support you in identifying your values, help you honor them, whilst assisting you in finding a way of living that is unique to you. We help you explore the values that are important to you and the values you may want to pass on to your children by daily family life. If you have a family, (or even if you haven’t) it is an excellent time to assess your values and the way you live them
It is worth remembering that living a life that conflicts with the values that are important to you, may mean, you are not as in control of your life as you wish. Values provide a compass; they give you direction and ensure you achieve your destination.
Finally, it should be said that values provide the measures that help us live meaningful lives that fulfil our given purpose. Living a life of meaning brings us joy.
“Living with integrity means behaving in ways that are in harmony with your values.” Barbara De Angelis
If you are interested in finding out more about your values or would like to work on “discovering how to live” your core values, email me at [email protected] or visit www.edgebarbados.com and use the contact page.