Identifying your “core values” to help you set better goals

*** This is the first in a series about exploring our core values. Subscribe to my newsletter to be updated each week or bookmark this page for future posts! ***

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As Christians, we know that we are made in God’s image and that each of us has unique gifts, personality, and design. But God, in His wisdom, has not always made it easy for us to figure out who we are… Thankfully, He offered the Holy Spirit to help guide us and if we prayerfully and intentionally examine ourselves and our lives, we can gain great insight into God’s plan for our lives and who (and how) He has made us to be!

Identifying our core values is one of those things that can be so helpful to know about ourselves.

Before we can identify our core values, we need to define what a core value is.  While there are a variety of definitions out there, I am going with this one:

A core value is a primary motivating factor that influences your decisions in every area of your life.

Most of the time, when someone uses the phrase “core value” they think in terms of “what is most important to you.”  In that case, though, we are pretty much all the same.  99.9% of us will say something along the lines of family, friends, faith, health, happiness.  The problem arises when we realize that we are not actually tending to those things nearly as much as say we want to. “My health is extremely important to me,” says the overweight alcoholic; “My kids are my number one priority!” says the parent who spends 60 hours a week at work; “I only want to be happy!” says the person who is miserable in their job; “I love God!” says the person who never opens their Bible.

So, if these are the things we value the most, why do our lives not reflect that?  

BECAUSE family, friends, faith, health and happiness are things that we value in life, BUT they are not the things that actually influence or motivate us the most when it comes to our daily choices.

 So, who cares?  Why should we take the time to identify our core values? Why should we make an effort to understand the disconnect between what we say we value and what our lives actually reveal?

This is why:

Understanding your core values….

• Simplifies your decision-making.  Once you understand your primary motivations and influences, it’s easier to know what you should do in any given situation.  Should you move or stay? Should you do this or that? You can check it against your set of core values and you’ll have a clearer idea of which decision is likely to make you feel the most satisfied and happy. This doesn’t mean not to pray about it, but that, in a way, God has already instilled in you an understanding of His direction for your life.
• Reveals what’s not working in your current life, and why.  You can take all those things that are bothering you about your current life circumstance or schedule, and you can cross-check them against your core values.  Chances are, the things that are most concerning or confusing or frustrating or draining to you are not in alignment with your core values. 
• Helps you focus on improving your situation and guiding you to be happier with your life and schedule.  You can look at your core values and ask whether your current situation is aligned with them.  If not, you can see what values need a boost and you can brainstorm activities or circumstances that can help you feel happier and more satisfied in your life.
• Provides clarity and focus in all areas.  Have you wondered why you didn’t accomplish those goals you set last year? Possibly it’s because they were not aligned with your core values.  Once you understand and know what your core values are, you can begin to see how they influence your life and you can take steps to better align those areas that you are still struggling with or want to change.

Do you know your core values?

My guess is that you think you know. 

Identifying your core values can be time-consuming and confusing.  BUT, once you have a deeper understanding of what values guide and influence you, you will be far better prepared to set and achieve goals that will be meaningful and satisfying. You will also be able to examine your current life and calendar to identify where you can change things up in order to be better aligned with your core values. If you will set aside some time to do the exercises I’m going to share over the next couple of weeks, know that you will gain a wealth of knowledge as to who you are and how God designed you!