Values guide our actions, which means understanding our values is really helpful when making change. It can be hard though to know where to begin, so here are some thoughts to consider.
Values as a spectrum
We attach varying degrees of value to every element of our life. It’s not that we HAVE or DON’T HAVE a particular value – we just value things in different ways. So understanding your values isn’t a process of elimination, but more a spectrum of appreciation.
Values as a rank
Similarly, you can determine the value of an element by comparing it to other elements. It can be hard to consider the value of an element in isolation, so if there are a number of elements you believe are important, can you rank then to understand yourself better?
Values as a compromise
Alternatively, you can approach values as “elements you won’t compromise on”. If you find it hard to consider value as a spectrum or as a rank, just be direct. When you make decisions, what are the elements that you MUST include?