Core Values

Core Values

Last week, on January 2, I celebrated my wedding anniversary.

Truthfully, for the longest time, I didn’t think I’d ever get married. And I remember telling many o’ white lies to friends, family, and many strangers I’d meet out in the wild, saying things like “oh, no, not me, I’m not into marriage” or “oh, I’m good. I don’t want to be married” or “I’ve never felt like marriage was for me” or “What’s the point?”

Lies. Lies. Lies.

Fear. Fear. Fear.

Personally, I so deeply wanted to be married. To find love. To be a bride. To have a partnership. To know that when push comes to shove, I have my person. Someone whose sole job on this earth is to protect me and that he can do that legally.?So, I’m beyond grateful to say I found that in Scott.?He was worth the wait.

Yet … I wonder …?

How many other things are we lying to ourselves about??

Something we?desire but act like we don’t.??

Lord knows this isn’t the first time I’ve lied to myself.?

I’ve lied about wanting to be an entrepreneur.

I’ve lied about wanting to write books.

I’ve lied about wanting to be a speaker.

I’ve lied about how much money I want to make.

I’ve lied about how much money I do make.

I’ve lied about the music I like.

I’ve lied about the way I vote.

And let’s not even get into my teenage years when I was so?embarrassed?about everything, I lied about everything.?

These lies, adult or teen, were driven by a deep desire to keep me “safe.”?Specifically, safe from the judgment of others, yet the cold hard truth is this: They are already judging me. And they are already judging you too.

So, the question is, who are you living your life for??You??Or everyone else??You??Or strangers on the internet you’ve never even met???

I say we make 2023 the year we finally start to say what we mean, do what we feel, and be who we really are because ...

Today is the youngest you will ever be.

The fix is courage.?And if there is one thing I know for sure, it’s this:??

The future belongs to the brave.

ASSIGNMENT

Could you take some time this week to reflect on your core values??

Now, if you don’t know where to start or what your core values are, then?this exercise?created by Dawn Dahlby is a great place to start. It will help you drill down, and I have found that once you get clear on what you value, you can begin to root your decisions in them bravely and unapologetically.

For example,?I value?freedom. So doing work I love the way I want, with people that rock gets me up in the morning. I?value?money. So having money, making money, saving money, and loving money is something I no longer feel shame about.??I value?health. So investing in that gives me zero guilt.

1. Conduct your core value audit. Put them on a post-it and let them guide you when you feel lost.
2. Brain dump all the things you desire but act like you don’t.
3. Schedule time to give them attention because they happen when you give your intentions attention!