Our 30 Day Program: Be Courageous finishes today. As we left our last meeting yesterday, we encouraged our participants to dig into their core values, like dig really deep.
Many of us get lost in decision making that we lose our internal compass, which are the core values that actually guide us. We are so lost figuring out what we want/don't want, like/don't like, what makes us/others happy, all of the "what if's," that we forget to tune inward and ask ourselves "what am I using to measure my decision?"
Once you really land on your core values, these values become your compass. They help you make decisions, they help you measure your successes/failures, and they hold you accountable. Mark Manson says in his book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck, "Commitment gives you freedom because you're no longer distracted by the unimportant and frivolous." Get committed to your core values, and create all new freedoms in your life, including what not to give a f*ck about, and hold on tight, because it's going to change your life.
Now, it's on you. It's on you to say "sorry, this goes against my core value of (INSERT), what would it look like if we did (BLANK) instead." or "One of my core values is (BLANK), and this comment made me uncomfortable." Whatever it is, it's up to you to hold yourself accountable to these core values.
Just like life, your core values can change and morph, because as your change, so do they.
If you are interested in working on discovering your core values, use this sheet. This is from Brene Brown's "Dare To Lead."
First, start with 15 core values, then from your 15 pick 5. Wear each of these 5 values like a sweater. How do they fit, are they comfortable, do they make you itchy, when you walk around do you command a room, do you think people would say "that looks great on you."
Once you've tried them on, narrow your 5 down to 2. These are your new core values. These are what you will now be committed to. Try it, and let us now how it goes!