Live a Values Based Life

What Are Your Values? Use Your Values to Determine Your Goals

“It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” ― Roy Disney

Values are very personal and they may change over the course of life. What you valued as a child is often not what you value, today, as an adult.  But there are some values that are deeply ingrained, values that make us who we are.  A value is a belief, a mission, or a philosophy that is meaningful. Whether we are consciously aware of them or not, every individual has a core set of personal values. Values can range from the commonplace, such as the belief in hard work and punctuality, to the more psychological, such as self-reliance, concern for others, and harmony of purpose.

“Values are like fingerprints.  Nobody’s are the same, but you leave ’em all over everything you do.” – Elvis Presley

Once you identify your key values, you can develop strategies and implement them.  There is something almost magical about implementing strategies based on your values.  You may discover new opportunities or new sources of income.  You will experience psychological benefits and a greater sense of well-being.  You may even find unexpected good fortune that defies logical thinking.

You can also use the note tool in your upper right hand corner to jot down some ideas.

Values are a source of power and energy that drive success and fulfilment.  If you are living a value-based life, your enthusiasm and your commitment will energize others resulting in a synergy that brings its own measures of success with it.   Values that spring from life’s greatest principles including oneness, love, truth, courage, patience, beauty, and knowledge can move you forward, motivate you, and create positive direction for your life.  They enable you to improve your life and the lives of others.

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 Popularity Recognition Religion Reputation Respect Responsibility Security Self-Respect Service Spirituality Stability Success Status Trustworthiness Wealth Wisdom

A society without values would be lost just as an individual without values can never achieve true success. As individuals we express our values in what we do, how we think and act, and how we live.  Some people dedicate their entire lives to a set of values – the father or mother who dedicate their lives to family, the patriot who fights for freedom, the lawyer who fights for justice, the doctor who saves lives, the teacher who shapes lives… Achieving success in life depends on physical energy and psychological energy, but in a battle between the two, psychological energy wins out.  The intensity we bring to our actions is dependent on interest, determination, passion, drive, enthusiasm and beliefs which all grow out of our values.

It is our values that determine the flow of our energies. You know that thoughts do not necessarily lead to actions.  It’s common sense, you have some thoughts you will act on and others you won’t.  What will propel your thoughts forward into action are your values.  Opinions, attitudes, and feelings can only take you so far, it is the values that provide the fuel that results in actions, and ultimately success. Think of the things that are most important to you, what you value most in life.  You may have primary values like love, justice, courage, knowledge, gratitude, compassion, belief in others, compassion, generosity, faith, tolerance, honesty, freedom, or equality or your values may be of a more specific nature.  What do you value most?

As individuals we express our values in what we do, how we think and act, and how we live.  Some people dedicate their entire lives to a set of values – the father or mother who dedicate their lives to family, the patriot who fights for freedom, the lawyer who fights for justice, the doctor who saves lives, the teacher who shapes lives…

Achieving success in life depends on physical energy and psychological energy, but in a battle between the two, psychological energy wins out.  The intensity we bring to our actions is dependent on interest, determination, passion, drive, enthusiasm and beliefs which all grow out of our values.  It is our values that determine the flow of our energies. 

You know that thoughts do not necessarily lead to actions.  It’s common sense, you have some thoughts you will act on and others you won’t.  What will propel your thoughts forward into action are your values.  Opinions, attitudes, and feelings can only take you so far, it is the values that provide the fuel that results in actions, and ultimately success.

Think of the things that are most important to you, what you value most in life.  You may have primary values like love, justice, courage, knowledge, gratitude, compassion, belief in others, compassion, generosity, faith, tolerance, honesty, freedom, or equality or your values may be of a more specific nature.

What are your overall guiding principles, what are your personal ten commandments?  Creating a list of your own personal commandments is an excellent way to define and clarify what is important to you.  It requires a bit of thought, a bit of introspection.  Personal commandments are not intended to replace religious values but to enhance the life of the person that creates them.  My own are quite simple really, and probably too wordy – yours may be totally different.

Example of Personal Commandments

1. Love myself and love others – live in the light of love
2. Always be generous, kind, polite, and considerate of others
3. Be true to myself, never do anything I don’t believe in
4. Be grateful and give thanks each day for all things large and small
5. Always be the best I can be and do what I commit to do
6. Never make excuses, never give up, never let fear or discouragement win
7. Be positive – think positive, act positive, talk positive
8. Never be judgemental or prejudiced
9. Never stop learning, writing, and reading
10. Be enthusiastic about life, always strive to make the world a better place

Your own commandments might be quite different – perhaps you like short and snappy or you have a passion that rules your life.

• Make music
• Let Go, Let God
• Keep on keeping on
• Smile
• Keep Fit
• Just do it
• Yes I can
• Love is the key
• Respect everyone
• Be friendly
• Be compassionate

The possibilities are endless and it is, after all, your list, so write it in your own style with your own words.

Your values are a determining factor in your life.  Know your values, live your values, base your life goals and your relationships on your values.  With your values as your guiding light, you will never walk in darkness.

SEEBEDO Your Values 

SEE your values, know what they are.

BE the epitome of your values – live your values.

DO things that support your values.