The collective values of men and women have been a source of fascination and confusion throughout history.
While scientists, psychologists, and other experts have extensively studied what defines a person’s core values, the average person’s values are closer to those of the masses than those of a trained philosopher or spiritual teacher.
Society distorts these general values, so the average person may not necessarily value them. For example, the average person will appreciate success above spiritual enlightenment.
In today’s world, people tend to define success as money and material possessions. The masses, therefore, value physical beauty above spirituality. The masses have influenced the average person to value money and power above love and family.
So how can you not only dissolve the confusion between your core values and everyone else, but also stand out in today’s world? Consider the following:
- Write down the core values you’d like to have. We have thousands of thoughts swimming in our heads on a given day. All these thoughts can drown out any thoughts about our core values and highlight negative self-talk, our to-do list, or any other issue.
- You can write your core values on an index card and have them right in front of you all the time. You can then fold them up and place them in your pocket or purse or print and laminate them.
- Either way, it will help you focus on what’s essential in your life. The good thing about writing your core values down is that it helps them stay top of mind. And when you need to remember them, you have a reminder right in front of you.
- Seek help from a career counselor. Writing down your core values can help you and all, but it’s not guaranteed to succeed if your core beliefs and inner self are out of alignment. Your core beliefs are the foundation of your core values and your decisions.
- If you doubt any of these beliefs — especially if you haven’t taken time to consider them — then it’s a good idea to seek professional help from a career counselor.
- Career counselors have expertise in psychology, and they can help you examine your own beliefs and identify the ones that aren’t working for you. These tools in their arsenal help match people to a career path that aligns with their values.
- Describe how your values express themselves in your life. Believe it or not, every value shows up differently for different people. Some values are self-evident, while others are less conspicuous.
- Regardless, all core values guide your decision-making and actions. That’s why it’s a good idea to list the core values you have and how they influence your life.
- Write down some examples of times when you could tell with certainty that your values felt aligned at that moment. Detailed examples like that can help you pinpoint your core values and think about how they relate to your life.
- Pay attention to yourself and learn. Your values reveal a lot about who you are as a person. They’re a window into your heart, and it’s worthwhile to examine your core values regularly to see if there are any changes you want to make.
- For example, if you find that you feel disconnected from yourself in some area of your life, it could be a sign that you’re “throwing off” the values that guide you.If this is the case, try to brainstorm ways that those values could make a comeback into your life.
- As you go through life, take note of your choices. Try to label the values behind every decision and choice you make at home, work, or school.
- This way, you’ll constantly remind yourself of your core principles when times are tough and not follow the masses.
It helps to know your core values so that you don’t allow yourself to be swept away by the masses. It also gives you the freedom to make positive changes in your life as you pursue your dreams.
Once you know your core values, the world and opportunities that match up with them become more apparent. You don’t have to be like everyone else, so you can choose to stand out from the crowd.
