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| English: This statue is located outside of Calgary City Hall. The statue faces East. Behind the statue is Macleod Trail, and Olympic Plaza behind that. :Calgary Police Service core values :Honesty :Integrity :Ethics :Respect :Fairness & Compassion :Courage :Commitment (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Think about this: our Self is made up of the sum of its parts; in other words, we have more than one personal value that provides happiness and fulfillment to our lives. Chances are you've got at least 10 to 15 values you can readily identify as being of some importance. But out of all those values, rarely will the entirety agree. In fact, when it comes to making important decisions, your core values are often at war with each other. So which one should win? How do you go about choosing a particular path that is exactly right for you?
To put it quite simply, you have three options; you can either strike a balance between your core values, redefine them, or place them in order of importance. Let's take a look at each of these.
Balancing Your Core Values
Just like you must balance your work and free time, periods of activity and rest, taking care of others and focusing on your Self, you need to strike a balance between your various core values. Although each one is only a small piece of your overall psyche, it takes all of your core values working together for the whole of your life to be balanced and fulfilled. Should any one of these values be out of balance, you will no longer feel your best or perform at an optimum level.
In order to achieve balance, I advise that you work with a list of your top core values. Consider how your words and actions are currently upholding each of those attributes. Then consider how each one supports your quality of life. Often this exercise will clearly point out that you are spending too much time focusing on one value in particular, rather than creating a balance between all of them.
Redefining Your Core Values
Sometimes life changes require that we redefine one or more of our traditional core values. For instance, you may have always considered independence to be a very vital core value. But when you had children, all of a sudden that value didn't fit so well with your new goals. This is an instance when you might need to redefine what independence means for you. It may shift from being able to go out anytime you want, to finding ways to take trips but needing to plan ahead a bit more. Is independence about your schedule? Or the ability to make choices?
There's nothing wrong with redefining your values. Life is change and you can't expect your values not to change along with your life.
Order of Importance
As we've already discussed, balance is vital to making positive changes. But how can you maintain a proper balance if you aren't aware of what core values are the most important to your Self? Often taking that list and assigning each a rank in terms of importance is a great exercise in regards to achieving balance. If you realize that Nature is one of the most important considerations when it comes to your job, then it's probably okay to make a decision to stay with a company that allows you to be outdoors every day - but may not support other core values you hold dear.
Conflict is never a pleasant thing to deal with and that is particularly so when it comes to making personal decisions. But there's no need to fear the process; take stock of your core values and use these three methods to find conflict resolution that works to bring about positive change in your life.
Lori Chance is a collaborative writer and editor specializing in how-to, informational, spiritual, and personal development articles and books. Her self-coaching book for women titled Who Am I? is now available through Amazon and her website. Learn more about answering this important question and receive the Top 5 Secrets to Successfully Change Your Life for FREE, by visiting her website and blog. You can also connect with Lori on Facebook.
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