Understanding Your Values
Values: An Important Tool for Decision Making and Improving Confidence
In the maze of choices we have to make in our lives, values can serve as our guides, showing us which path leans towards decisions aligned with our core beliefs. They are the moral compasses that steer us through uncertainty, ground us in times of doubt, and empower us to navigate with clarity and purpose. I have over the course of my life revisited and reflected on my values time and again, as a means of understanding my own emotions and reactions, as well as a tool for bringing clarity when I’m faced with difficult decisions or finding myself stuck with indecision and/or ambivalence about a choice. Values matter because they define who we are and what we stand for. They are the principles that shape our actions, reflecting our deepest aspirations and ideals. When we make decisions in harmony with our values, we cultivate authenticity and integreity, fostering a sense of self-assurance.
Values typically don’t tend to shift much over the course of our lives. Think back to your earliest memories of yourself: what hurt you the most? what thrilled you the most? when did you feel most at ease and when didn’t you? what dazzled you and what bewildered you? who did you want to be? Obviously, there is some change over time, in particular as we develop and mature with an expanded experience of the world around us, but still…there still seems to always be some connection to at least one value that has always been there.
By anchoring decision-making in our values, we unlock a powerful tool for enhancing confidence. When faced with choices, we can ask ourselves: "Does this align with my values? Does it reflect the person I aspire to be?" This type of reflection not only boosts our confidence but also cultivates a higher level of self-trust, rather than relying on external validation to form the basis of our decisions. When we reflect on our values in the face of a decision, we take the time to give ourselves inner validation that ‘yes, this is really important to me’ and it cultivates self-awareness and resilience that is invaluable in the face of challenges.
Moreover, integrating values into decision-making promotes consistency and coherence in our actions, building trust and credibility in our relationships and endeavors. When others see us living in accordance with our values, they are more likely to respect and admire us, further bolstering our confidence and influence. In essence, values are not just abstract ideals—they are the cornerstone of effective decision-making and the bedrock of confidence. By embracing our values wholeheartedly, we embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, charting a course towards a more fulfilling and authentic life.
