When was the last time you paused and thought about this question?

Is this the first time you’ve stopped and asked yourself this question?

We often dash through life doing things we think we should be doing. Or doing things other people think we should be doing. Or doing things that we think other people think we should be doing…
And we often lose sight of what’s really important to us. And whether we are spending enough time and energy on those things.

Understanding what’s most important to you can help you make choices that are right for you. It can help you make changes that are better for you. It can help you be more you.

Many of life’s decisions are about working out what you value most. Especially when you are faced with a range of options to choose from. Questions like: What’s my next career move? Which job do I apply for? Which direction do I take my business in next? What do I do when my children leave home this year? All of these questions offer lots of reasonable choices and outcomes. So, when you are faced with these kinds of options, thinking about how they will align to your values and what’s most important to you can point you in the right direction.

How do you work out what your core values are? There are lots of different ways you can do this. But here is a simple exercise to get you started.

Ask yourself:
– When did I feel most proud?
– When am I happiest?
– When do I feel most satisfied and fulfilled, both at work and at home?

Then ask yourself: What is it about these things that are important to me? Write down some key words. For example, is it about helping others? Making a difference? Expertise? Freedom? Creativity? This starts to create a list of your core values. If you find yourself with lots of words, you can start to prioritise them: out of this list, what are my top 10, my top 5?

Once you know what you most value, you can start to focus on the real priorities in your life. You’ll be able to make informed decisions that are based on what’s most important to you, and what you will and won’t compromise on. You’ll be able to set the best direction for you, along with meaningful life goals.

When the things that you do and the way that you do them don’t match your core values, life can feel hard, a struggle – and forced. When the things that you do, and the way that you do them, match your core values, life feels good – and natural.

What’s most important to me? Love. Joy. Passion. Authenticity. Honesty. Curiosity. Empathy. Integrity.

What’s most important to you?