Values: The Bedrock of Resilience

Life is rarely a smooth journey. We all encounter challenges, setbacks, and moments of hardship. These experiences can be overwhelming, leaving us feeling lost and unsure of how to move forward. However, amidst the difficulties, one crucial factor determines our ability to bounce back: our values.

According to research by Ungar (2013) on resilience in youth, "Values are a core component of resilience, serving as a guiding light and providing direction and purpose in the face of adversity." They act as the foundation upon which we build our sense of self, influencing our decisions, behaviours, and perspectives.

We will present three critical benefits that strong, well-defined values can offer, and we hope you consider them for yourself. These benefits are important throughout life, and when practised, have benefits on confidence, wellbeing and focus in building the life you want.

1. Providing Purpose and Meaning

Values connect us to a sense of purpose, offering a deeper understanding of why we endure hardships. When we stop for a minute and find some deeper learning or meaning from our experiences, we shift our mental state from pity and self-degradation to one of ability and a newfound focus on what we can do to change the situation. Studies by Rashid et al. (2016) on the role of meaning-making in resilience support this notion, highlighting the importance of purpose in navigating adversity. We see it especially in students who personalize failure and disappointing outcomes in exams, or who don't get into their college of choice. the story often turns on how "stupid" they are or how "disappointing they are to their families", yet when we can look at the whole experience and take even the smallest nugget of learning out, their perception changes and we can find new opportunities to focus on.

2. Guiding Decision-Making

Values serve as a compass, guiding us towards choices that align with our core beliefs. When faced with difficult decisions, people with strong values can make choices that uphold their principles, even when they are challenging or unpopular. This is particularly important in business, where many young professionals, and career changers we work with struggle when trying to learn how to make the right choices during steep learning curves. This clarity and consistency in decision-making, coupled with better-coping mechanisms, can foster a sense of control and inner peace during uncertain times. Yet it also helps in influencing our coping mechanisms when facing adversity. A study by Park et al. (2017) exploring value-based coping strategies also demonstrated a positive connection between values and healthy coping mechanisms. This study shows that values lead to better wellbeing and increased confidence in your ability to make decisions, and ultimately becoming a better risk-taker.

3. Building Self-Esteem and Confidence

When youth start living according to their values, I find it fosters self-respect and a sense of internal validation, that no one can teach. They then make choices that align with their core beliefs and experience a sense of integrity and self-worth that builds their confidence. This increased self-esteem and confidence empowers them to navigate challenges with greater resilience and determination. This isn’t just a finding of my research but has also been documented by others. Niemiec et al. (2017) explored the link between personal values and self-esteem in their research, finding a positive correlation between individuals actively living by their values and higher levels of self-esteem.

Yet, it's important to know that simply having values doesn't guarantee resilience or confidence. We teach people how to actively live by our values, which is key. The real change comes with regular reflection on our core principles, integrating them into our daily lives, and making conscious choices that align. This continuous practice strengthens the impact our values have on our resilience and wellbeing.

Values are not just abstract ideals but powerful tools for building resilience. By providing purpose, guiding decision-making, fostering healthy coping, and bolstering self-esteem, they equip us to navigate life's challenges with greater strength and perseverance. Our programs, help people actively live according to their values, in life and work, to build an inner compass that guides them through tough times, ultimately leading towards a more fulfilling and resilient life.