How to live a values-centered life (+ Science-Based Tool)

1. Food for Thought Life is too short to spend time on things that don't fit your values. When considering whether to commit to something, you typically ask yourselves?"Do I have time for this?" "Will I enjoy it?"?etc. But you should consider a more important question first:?"Which of my values does this align with?" If the answer is none, then committing to the action will ultimately undermine your wellbeing. So, when something doesn't fit your values, you should almost always answer "hell no" without considering other factors. Because this then frees you up to say "hell yes" to something more in tune with who you are.

2. Inspiring Quote "I have learned that as long as I hold fast to my beliefs and values - and follow my own moral compass - then the only expectations I need to live up to are my own.”?

3. Free Science-Based Tool Completing Sentences to Clarify Values.?This simple, powerful exercise helps people clarify their values by responding quickly to specific prompts regarding different life domains. It can reveal significant insights in just 5 minutes and is a great starting point for deeper exploration.? ?Scroll Down

4. A Question For You “What would happen if you could no longer live in line with this value?”?Use this as a springboard to help people either commit to an existing value and its corresponding behaviors or replace them with new ones that positively contribute to their lives. This can be a powerful way to help people break out of a rut and find a new way forward.

Completing Sentences to Clarify Values

Values can best be considered life directions. Values convey what is important to people?in their lives. Simply put, a value is about what a person wants to be doing with his or?her life. Values clarification is a therapeutic technique that is designed to help people?make important life decisions (Kirschenbaum, 2013).

More specifically, values clarification?helps people identify and establish their goals, enhance goal-directed decision-making,?and take effective action to implement their decisions and thereby achieve their goals?(Kirschenbaum, 2013).

Few Example of Values:

Achievement: You thrive on setting and reaching goals, finding satisfaction in your accomplishments and the progress you make. Growth: You are motivated by continuous learning and self-improvement, always seeking opportunities to evolve and develop.

Autonomy: You value your independence and the ability to make your own choices, which fuels your motivation to take control of your life and destiny. Curiosity: Your desire to explore and understand the world around you keeps you engaged and driven to discover new things.

Determination: You are powered by your inner resolve to overcome obstacles and stay committed to your goals, no matter the challenges.

Creativity: You are inspired by the ability to innovate and express yourself in unique ways, which brings excitement and meaning to your endeavors.

Contribution: You find purpose in making a difference in the lives of others, whether through your work, community involvement, or personal relationships.

Meaningful Work: You are motivated by engaging in work that aligns with your values and passions, providing you with a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

Inner Harmony: You strive for balance and peace within yourself, motivating you to align your actions with your true self and values.

Success: You are driven by the pursuit of personal and professional success, finding motivation in the recognition and rewards that come from your hard work.

Completing Sentences to Clarify Values

This step will help you identify your values in relation to different life domains. These domains include?money and finance, career and work, relationships, health and fitness, fun and leisure, growth and learning,?spirituality, and community.

For each domain, you’ll find a series of unfinished sentences. Your task is to?complete these sentences in a way that feels true to you.

The aim here is not to craft ‘perfect’ sentences but to tap into your spontaneous thoughts and feelings.?Responding to these prompts will give you insights into your beliefs, desires, and concerns related to each?domain.

This isn’t a test - there are no right or wrong answers. Complete the following unfinished sentences related to each life domain. Remember, don’t overthink your?answers, and respond with what comes up first in your mind.

Money and Finance:

Regarding money, my family taught me to be .... .... ....?

Regarding money, I am proud that?.... .... ....?

If I found $100 on the ground, I would?.... .... ....?

Career and Work:

The main thing I want from a career is??.... .... ....?

I respect workers who??.... .... ....?

I expect my superiors to??.... .... ....

Relationships:

I respect friends/partners who???.... .... ....

For my friends/partner, I aim to be???.... .... ....

Things I appreciate about my friends/partner include???.... .... ....

Health and Fitness:

The healthiest thing I do for myself is???.... .... ...

The least healthy thing I do for myself is???.... .... ...

Regarding my health, I should do more???.... .... ...

Growth and Learning:

Growth and learning are important to me because???.... .... ...

I love to learn new things because???.... .... ...

If I could learn more about something, it would be, because???.... .... ...

Spirituality:

The most spiritual person I know is???.... .... ...

One thing I would like to know about spirituality is???.... .... ...

My attitude towards spirituality came from???.... .... ...

Community:

To me, community means???.... .... ...

Community is important to me because???.... .... ...

I feel connected to my community when I???.... .... ...

Next?Step: Reflection and discussion

Now that you have completed the unfinished sentences, take a moment to reflect on your responses.?Consider the following questions and use them to guide reflection and discussion: ■ What common themes do you notice in your responses?

■ What do your responses say about your priorities?

■ What values can you identify within your responses??

These values are powerful motivators, deeply ingrained within you, operating below your conscious awareness. As you begin to recognize and align with your top values, life becomes more fulfilling, and pursuing your goals feels more natural and effortless.

Unfinished Sentences is a relatively straight forward and easy to grasp task involving a free association aspect that does not require a?great deal of thought.

This tool was adapted from Kirschenbaum’s (2013) Unfinished Sentences exercise?introduced in his book entitled ‘Values clarification in counseling and psychotherapy:?Practical strategies for individual and group settings,’ by Lucinda Poole References ■ Kirschenbaum, H. (2013). Values clarification in counseling and psychotherapy: Practical?strategies for individual and group settings. Oxford University Press

Please reach out to me with the most interesting few things you learned about your values by completing this exercise.

You can find the Complete Clarifying and Prioritizing Values here Check it out

Speak soon

Carmen Sauciuc, CHI, CHt

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