Learn How to "Act on Your Values" in Stressful Times

There are basically 3 universal approaches to any "Difficult Situation":

1. "Leave" the difficult situation
2. "Give up" and "Move away from your values"
3. "Change" what can be changed, "Accept" what cannot be changed and "Live by your values".

Now, let's look at the above three approaches.

Many a times you cannot "Leave" your difficult situation. In many cases, "Leaving" makes the situation even worse. Thus, Option 1 is not a wise and logical decision to take.

"Giving up" and "Moving away from your values" is also not an option that one should consider. You will never learn and grow in life if you continuously "Give Up" from facing a difficult situation. Similarly like Option 1, Option 2 is also not a wise and logical decision to take.

Thus, the only wise, ethical and correct approach/decision is number "3".

"Change" what can be changed. "Accept" what cannot be changed. Most importantly, "Living by your values".

And YES, this is not easy !!!

Many difficult thoughts and feelings appear when you face difficult and stressful situations. Especially, when you know that you might not improve most of the situation.

So, even though there might be nothing you can do to change a difficult situation, it is still very important for you to find ways to "Live by your values"!!!

In this article, I will be discussing with you this very importance of "Living by Your Values" and "Acting on Your Values", i.e. in difficult and stressful times and situations.

So, what are "Values"?

Your values describe what kind of a person you want to be.

Your values describe how you want to treat yourself and others and the world around you.

Are "Values" and "Goals" same?

No. They are not!

Your "Goals" will describe what you are trying to achieve/get. Your "Values" describe the sort of a person that you are/want to be.

Your "Goal" might be to get a job.

Your "Goal" might be to get a promotion.

Your "Goal" might be to buy a new house, new car.

On the other hand, your "Values" can be that you want to be supportive, caring and respectful towards your friends, colleagues and elders.

So, even though you might sometimes fail to achieve your "Goal", you can still "Live by your values" of being supportive, caring and respectful.

Many of your "Goals" might seem impossible for a moment or for a particular time being. BUT, you can always find ways to act on your values and live by your values.

Unlike "Goals", your "Values" are completely dependent on your "Actions". It does not depend on anyone/anything else.

What are "Actions" ?

Your "Actions" are what you do with your "Arms, Hands, Legs and Feet" and what you say with your "Mouth".

The more you can "Focus on your actions", the more you can influence the immediate world around you, the people and the situations that you come across everyday.

Thus, the more you can "Focus on your actions", the more you can "Focus on your values".

So, in difficult and stressful situations, always keep asking yourself the below questions:

• Do your actions support your values?
• Are your actions moving you "Away" or "Towards" your values?

Remember, your values go both ways, i.e. towards yourself and towards others.

So, if your value is to be "Caring, Kind, Supportive and Respectful" towards others, you also have to be "Caring, Kind, Supportive and Respectful" towards yourself.

So, always think in terms of "Actions", i.e.

What will you say with your mouth?

What will you do with your hands and arms and legs and feet?

When your "Actions" will "Move You Towards" your values, you will feel a "Sense of meaning and purpose".

"Acting on Your Values" takes practice, especially in stressful times and situations.

Remember, even the "Tiniest actions" matter.

A giant tree grows from a tiny seed. So even in the hardest and most stressful of times, start by taking small actions to live by your values.

The journey of 1000 miles begins with one step!

AND, every time when you act on your values, "Acknowledge" it to yourself by saying:

• "I am behaving like the sort of a person I want to be"
• "I am acting on my values"

When you will "Act on your values", you will begin to live and lead a life with more satisfaction and fulfilment.