Simplify your life {SYL: Week 2} – Values

I’ve joined the 52 Weeks to Simplify Your Life Challenge in 2012 hosted by Deb at Home Life Simplified. Why? Purely and simply because: 

“If you want change in your life,
stop doing what you have always done
or you will keep getting what you’ve always got.“

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The Task: Week #2 Challenge: Define your Personal Values

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Sometimes, I find it hard to generate answers, ideas or inspiration within myself. With this challenge, I dug deep and came up with a shortlist before I read the prompter list given with the challenge and another to see if any other values I had not already listed resonated with me.

Firstly, I had to be sure I understood what a value was. I pondered. What drives me in how I live? What do I react against? What guides my moral or social compass? I also had to remind myself that they can change with time and that they are neither right or wrong.

It was a little hard trying to separate out values I felt I had, those I felt I should have and those I felt a strong commitment to work towards.

I also started to get a little mixed up with the words/themes I’ve decided to focus on for 2012 and my list of values.

Since one of my focus themes is to be more decisive, I am just going to lock in what feels right…..for the time being.

Value Brainstorming

I started with some and then began grouping together values or themes that I felt were related for me:

Family

Security

Creativity / Inspiration

Learning / Education / Knowledge / Understanding / Discovery / Growth

Integrity / Manners / Respect for others / Graciousness / Kindness / Courtesy / Compassion / Empathy / Fairness

Connection

Loyalty

Nurturing

Peaceful

Hope

Order / Structure / Tidiness

Professionalism / Responsible

Personal space

Three values I felt I probably should own, but did not appear in my original list are:

Health

Gratitude

Persistence / Perseverance / Resilience

In addition, “authenticity” came up but I feel that if I am living according to these values, then I am being, or attempting to be, authentic.

My Top 5

Growth – The desire to become a better version of myself encompasses the values of learning, education, knowledge, understanding, discovery, creativity and inspiration is ever present.

Family – My family are so ingrained into who I am and how I live. They are an extension of me and give me security and a sense of identity. I want to instil the value of family in my children.

Connection – Whilst I am an introvert by nature, relationships are important to me. I generally take a nurturing approach to people and I am very loyal to those who I deem my closest friends.

Compassion – Whilst this is related to connection because it is offered towards people, for me, it also encompasses, integrity (as opposed to brown-nosing), courtesy, manners, respect for others, graciousness, kindness, empathy and fairness. I very much want to instil compassion and related values empathy in my children.

Resilience – For me, this encompasses hope but also perseverance and persistence. I tend to have a hopeful underbelly though I am no Pollyanna. I tend to hang onto things and keep at them, though not always the best things which is where my need for order and structure can lead me to getting a bit too obsessed with some things. I need to keep directing this value towards positive and uplifting things and circumstances and know when to let go, as well.

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Related Posts

Getting into Gear

Simplify your life {SYL: Week 1} – Positives in 2011

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Linking with Deb of Home Life Simplified for the 52 Weeks to Simplify Your Life Challenge.