Want to work and live with purpose? Get clear about your core values

Values guide our behavior and decisions. Our core values are walking billboards of who we are, what we stand for, and grounds us in our purpose. They also provide us with our very own personal code of conduct.

When we consistently honor our personal core values, we experience fulfillment, alignment, ease, movement, growth and happiness.

When we don’t, we feel out of sync, we waffle, get stuck, second guess ourselves, stay unmotivated, depressed, anxious, operate in a fog, and just live outside of our purpose.

I am a big advocate of clarifying your values and ensuring that you are honoring them on a daily basis. When you feel frustrated about your circumstances or find yourself frustrated with someone, they are most likely aggravating your core values. On the other hand, if you are excited about a project or an opportunity, it is most likely because your core values are in play.

One of my core values is freedom. In 2021, I rented a sleeper van and took a solo trip exploring New England. I felt so free on the roads, campgrounds and hiking through Virginia to Maine. I was on cloud nine on every aspect of this trip because I was honoring the high value I place on freedom. Most people in my inner circle would definitely tell you that freedom is clearly one of my values. They would say this not because I told them so, but because they’ve seen me in action honoring this core value on multiple occasions. So, values are something people can easily observe about your life. It shows in how you move. You will know that you are on the right track when your values are front and center. It’s an undeniable part of who you are.

Want to get clear on your values? Grab a glass of your favorite beverage, play some tunes and do this exercise to clarify your top 3 to 5 core values (feel free to google other values identification exercises, so many options).

Once you’ve identified your core values, write them on a stickie note and put it on the fridge, wall, journal or laptop as a daily reminder. Find small and big ways to honor your values each day or week. For example, if connection is your value, find ways to connect with yourself or others on a daily basis. Bring your values into conversations, plans, decisions, and moments of self reflection.

When you find yourself unhappy, unsatisfied or feel stuck, ask yourself which core value do I need to lean into right now that will bring about positive movement in my emotional, physical or mental wellbeing? The answer will be an indication of a value that you are not honoring. As soon as you honor it, you will feel in purpose.

Allowing your values to serve as your inner compass will always keep you on course.