Values As Compass For Most Effective Decision Making

"It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.”

― Roy Disney

Values are the compass that shows you the right direction for you. Values are the beliefs that shape how you think about yourself, others, and the world around you. Values are like fingerprints; you leave them all over everything you do. They are fundamental to your way of approaching life.

Benefits of Knowing Your Values

Having awareness of your core values is a crucial step towards living a fulfilling and meaningful life with numerous benefits including:

Personal growth: Understanding your core values helps you identify what's important to you and what drives you. This can guide your decision-making and shape your goals and aspirations.

Improved relationships: Knowing your values can improve communication with others and reduce conflicts by helping you understand why certain things are important to you.

Better decision-making: Core values serve as a personal compass, allowing you to make decisions aligned with your beliefs and priorities.

Increased satisfaction and fulfillment: Living in alignment with your values leads to a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment, reducing feelings of dissatisfaction or emptiness.

Clarity and focus: Understanding your core values can provide clarity and focus, helping you prioritize and focus on the things that truly matter to you.

Improved self-esteem: When you live in alignment with your values, you are likely to feel more confident, capable, and proud of who you are.

Resilience: When faced with challenges or difficult choices, your core values can serve as a source of strength, guiding you through tough times.

Better alignment with life goals: Being aware of your core values can help you set and achieve life goals that are aligned with what's important to you, leading to a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Better communication with others: When you are clear about your values, you are better able to express them to others, which can improve relationships, reduce misunderstandings, and lead to more effective communication.

Increased sense of purpose: Knowing your values and living in alignment with them can provide a sense of purpose and meaning, helping you feel more fulfilled and satisfied with life.

Clarify your core values

Here are some steps you can follow to get clarity on your values:

• Reflect on your experiences: Think about the experiences that have been most meaningful or impactful in your life, and consider what values were important in those situations.
• Examine your beliefs and attitudes: Consider what you believe to be important in life, what your attitudes are towards different aspects of life, and what you stand for.
• Identify what you prioritize: Think about what you spend your time, energy, and resources on, and what you prioritize in life. This can give you insight into what your core values are.
• Seek feedback from others: Talk to people who know you well, such as family, friends, or colleagues, and ask for their perspective on what your values might be.
• Read and learn: Read books, articles, and other resources on values and self-discovery, and consider what resonates with you.
• Experiment: Try new experiences and test new ways of thinking, and observe how they align with your values.
• Reflect and write: Set aside time for self-reflection, and write down your thoughts and insights about your values.
• Ask yourself questions: Ask yourself questions such as "What do I believe in?", "What motivates me?", and "What do I stand for?" to help you identify your values.
• Consider your role models: Think about the people you admire and respect, and consider what values they embody that you also aspire to.
• Evaluate your decisions: Look at the decisions you have made in the past, and consider what values were driving those choices.
• Create a list: Create a list of values that are important to you and prioritize them based on what is most important to you.
• Visualize your ideal life: Imagine what your ideal life would look like, and consider what values are driving that vision.
• Consider your strengths and weaknesses: Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, and consider how they align with your values.
• Try journaling: Keep a journal where you write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and reflect on how they align with your values.

By following these steps, you can gain a deeper understanding of your values, and develop a clearer sense of what drives and motivates you.

Leverage Your Values to Become Successful

Here are some ways you can leverage your values to become successful:

Align your goals with your values: Make sure your goals align with your values so that your actions and decisions are motivated by what is truly important to you.

Make values-based decisions: Use your values as a guide when making decisions, and choose actions and opportunities that align with your values.

Surround yourself with like-minded people: Surround yourself with people who share your values, as this can provide you with support, motivation, and accountability.

Stay true to your values: Avoid compromising your values for temporary success or material gains, as this can lead to feelings of emptiness or dissatisfaction in the long run.

Prioritize self-care: Take care of yourself and make time for activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, as these can help you stay grounded in your values and maintain a sense of balance and well-being.

Continuously reflect on your values: Regularly reflect on your values, and make adjustments as necessary, so that your values remain relevant and meaningful to you over time.

By leveraging your values in these ways, you can increase your likelihood of achieving success that is fulfilling, meaningful, and aligned with what is important to you.

Role Models of Different Fields

People who can serve as role models based on their values come from all walks of life and professions, and can include:

• Political leaders: Some political leaders, such as Mahatma Gandhi or Nelson Mandela, are known for their strong values and principles, and their commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
• Activists: Activists, such as Malala Yousafzai or Greta Thunberg, who work towards promoting social justice and human rights, can also serve as role models based on their values.
• Business leaders: Some business leaders, such as Howard Schultz or Oprah Winfrey, have built their businesses based on their values, and have made a significant impact on the world through their work.
• Artists: Artists, such as Bob Dylan or Kendrick Lamar, can serve as role models based on their values, as they use their talents to express their beliefs and inspire change through their work.
• Spiritual leaders: Spiritual leaders, such as the Dalai Lama or Pope Francis, can serve as role models based on their values, as they promote peace, love, and compassion through their teachings.

These are just a few examples of the many people who can serve as role models based on their values. Ultimately, the people who serve as role models for you will depend on your personal beliefs, interests, and values.

List of Core Values

Here is an exhaustive list of core values that people may consider when identifying their own values:

1. Integrity

2. Respect

3. Honesty

4. Fairness

5. Responsible

6. Loyalty

7. Compassion

8. Empathy

9. Caring

10. Trust

11. Support

12. Cooperation

13. Open-mindedness

14. Forgiveness

15. Patience

16. Positivity

17. Gratitude

18. Humility

19. Perseverance

20. Courage

21. Ambition

22. Creativity

23. Self-discipline

24. Self-improvement

25. Self-control

26. Self-reliance

27. Self-esteem

28. Self-awareness

29. Self-care

30. Self-motivation

31. Generosity

32. Diversity

33. Inclusivity

34. Equality

35. Diversity

36. Tolerance

37. Kindness

38. Generosity

39. Service

40. Helpfulness

41. Altruism

42. Authenticity

43. Self-expression

44. Independence

45. Freedom

46. Justice

47. Fairness

48. Equality

49. Spirituality

50. Faith

51. Wisdom

52. Love

53. Peace

54. Joy

55. Hope

Please note that this list is still not exhaustive, as there may be other values that are important to you that are not included here. It's also important to keep in mind that your values may change over time as you grow and evolve as a person. It's important to reflect on what are the values that truly align with your beliefs and principles, and what makes you feel fulfilled.

Note: The original article was published on my blog: https://drvijayjain.com/2023/02/03/values-as-compass-for-most-effective-decision-making/