How to Align your Actions with your Values

by Anne Ueberbach
Assistant Director / Counsellor

What are Values?

Values are the beliefs, and standards that guide our behavior and decision-making. They are the essence of who we are and what we stand for. Our values shape our attitudes, actions, and choices, and they influence how we interact with others and the world around us.

Living by your values is important for several reasons:

Direction and Purpose: Values give us direction and purpose in life. They help us stay focused on what's truly important to us and guide us towards our goals and aspirations.
Decision-Making: Values serve as a moral compass, helping us make decisions that align with our principles and beliefs.
Self-Respect and Confidence: When we live by our values, we feel more confident and self-respectful. We know that we're being true to ourselves and standing up for what we believe in.
Fulfillment and Happiness: Living by our values brings us a sense of fulfillment and happiness. We feel more content and satisfied with our lives when we're living in alignment with our values.

What are Principles?

Principles are fundamental truths or propositions that serve as the foundation for our beliefs, behaviors, and decisions. They represent the rules and guidelines that govern out actions and are derived from our values and help put our values into practice. You can consider principles as the “how” of achieving your values.

To illustrate the difference:

If your value is respect, a matching principle could be to treat others the way you want to be treated.

While values provide direction and purpose, principles offer a framework for making decisions and taking actions that align with those values. Together, values and principles form a powerful foundation for living a life of purpose, integrity, and fulfillment.

How to Identify Your Values

Identifying your values is a personal and introspective process. Here are some steps to help you discover your values:

Reflect on Your Past Experiences: Think about times in your life when you felt the most alive, happy, and fulfilled. What were you doing during those times? What values were being honored?
Explore Your Beliefs and Principles: What do you stand for? What do you believe in? What principles do you want to live by?
Consider Your Role Models: Who inspires you? What values do they embody that you admire?
Brainstorm and Prioritize: Write down a list of values that resonate with you. Prioritize them in order of importance.

How to Live by Your Values

Once you've identified your values, it's time to put them into practice. Here are some tips to help you live by your values:

Set Goals and Intentions
Set goals and intentions that align with your values. Break them down into smaller, achievable steps.

Make Decisions with Your Values in Mind
When faced with a decision, ask yourself, "Is this in alignment with my values?"

Surround Yourself with Like-Minded People
Spend time with people who share your values and support you in living by them.

Practice Mindfulness and Self-Reflection
Regularly reflect on your actions and decisions. Ask yourself, "Am I living by my values?"

Embrace Imperfection
Remember that nobody is perfect. Don't be too hard on yourself if you slip up. Instead, learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.

Be Patient and Kind to Yourself
Living by your values is a process. Be patient and kind to yourself as you navigate this journey.

While living by your values is crucial for a life of purpose and meaning, there are common obstacles that can get in the way:

Fear and Self-Doubt: Fear and self-doubt can hold us back from living by our values. We may fear what others will think or doubt our abilities.
Social Pressure: Social pressure can also get in the way. We may feel pressure to conform to societal norms or expectations.
Comfort Zone: Stepping out of our comfort zone can be challenging. We may need to take risks and face uncertainty to live by our values.

Conclusion

Living by your values is a journey, not a destination. It takes courage, self-awareness, and a willingness to take risks. By identifying your values and making a conscious effort to live by them, you'll be living a life that is true to who you are and what you stand for. Remember, your values are unique to you, and they're worth fighting for.

By living by your values, you'll be living a life that is authentic, meaningful, and fulfilling. So, take the first step today and start living a life that truly reflects who you are and what you stand for. Book an appointment with me to identify your values and how to translate them into the different areas of your live.

How to Align your Actions with your Values