Your Journey to a Purposeful 2025 - Part 2
Let's continue our journey towards an exciting 2025. Last month, in part one of this series, we talked about purpose, and you were invited to reflect on how much your current circumstances are aligned with who you truly are, or want to become.
How was your reflection? What did you discover?
This month, I want us to dive into personal values, and here's why:
The value…of values.
Perhaps you hear the word values, and you roll your eyes. I wouldn't blame you. For many of us, it brings back memories of posters on portable walls at work that make lofty promises that are violated day after day.
Sounds familiar? Honestly, we'd be better off with a picture of a puppy, a cat or a baby, at least that would make us smile.
Still, there is something about values...
Many years ago my curiosity about values and what they could make possible inspired me to study and research everything I could on the subject: values, values-driven cultures, and values-based organizations. It was a fascinating undertaking!
During one of my tenures as SVP of people, I decided to put the concepts I was learning about through the test. Over a period of about 18 months, I collaborated with all levels of employees (there were about 4000 of us) to not only establish our corporate values but also to agree on the desired associated behaviours. In other words, we explored what it would look like when we acted in a manner that was aligned with the values we were committed to.
Following the initial roll-out, we asked employees to tell us via the bi-annual survey how well we were doing. We saw the engagement levels reach unprecedented high levels (over 90%), even though the company was in the midst of a very challenging and demanding strategic repositioning. And operational results ensued.
While this corporate experience was illuminating, it sparked a deeper curiosity about the role of values in our personal lives. I began to wonder: if values could transform an entire organization, what impact could they have on an individual's journey?
Interestingly, this concept applies not only to organizations but also to us as individuals. Personal values are the core principles that guide our decisions, shape our behaviours, and define what's truly important to us.
As such, articulating your personal values is an incredibly powerful exercise. To bring these values to life, it's crucial to be clear about the behaviours connected to them, both positive and negative. This clarity provides you with a practical checklist to rely on when making important life choices, ensuring your actions align with your core values.
I highly recommend you make time to articulate your values, it is a step I follow with my coaching clients seeking to live their best life, and it always sets us on an incredible journey.
Follow this link to access some great resources that I’ve put together to guide you through the process of discovering and articulating your values.
Here's a heads-up for you: it's not as easy as it looks. 😉 If you find it challenging, it means you're doing it right.
Defining your personal values requires deep self-reflection and honesty. You might struggle to distinguish between values you genuinely hold and those you think you should have. While this process can be uncomfortable, it's also incredibly rewarding.
You may be wondering how this fits with purpose.
Let's look at it this way: if purpose is a desired destination on the horizon line, values are the key to ensuring you travel in the right direction. Values act as a compass, guiding our choices and actions along the journey. They help us stay true to ourselves and maintain integrity as we pursue our goals.
In his book Hidden Potential, Adam Grant puts it best when he says, "Success is more than reaching our goals—it's living our values."
I challenge you to embark on a journey of self-discovery this month by exploring your personal values.
Reflect deeply:
What principles consistently guide your decisions?
What behaviors make you feel most authentic and fulfilled?
This exploration can be transformative, offering clarity and purpose in your daily life.
If you're comfortable, share your insights with me or a trusted friend – sometimes, articulating our values helps solidify them. Remember, this process is personal and ongoing – embrace the journey of growth and self-understanding. Every step you take brings you closer to living a life that truly resonates with your core self.
Next month, we'll explore how to align your daily actions with your newly defined values and overarching purpose. Until then, happy reflecting!
Unleash your potential
The journey towards reconnecting with your purpose and articulating your values can feel overwhelming at times. This is because we need to silence the voices telling us what we should do and make room for inspiration for what we want to do.
While this path can sometimes feel lonely, having a coach by your side can be transformative. In my work with clients who are willing to embark on this inner journey, the outcomes are always special and often liberating.
As Joseph Campbell beautifully expressed:
"Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls."
Through coaching, we can work together to:
Clarify your purpose and core values
Overcome obstacles holding you back
Develop strategies to align your actions with your aspirations
Build confidence in your unique path
If you're curious about how coaching can help you unleash your potential, let's chat. Together, we can turn walls into doors and create a path that truly resonates with who you are.
Reflections
The things that connect me to purpose.
Another source of inspiration for me, besides nature and books, is giving myself permission to take a break in the middle of a busy and full day.
I came across this TED Talk during such a pause, and it fits well with what you and I have been discussing lately. It's a reminder that sometimes, stepping back allows us to move forward with greater clarity and purpose.
This perspective sets the stage for an insightful TED Talk by Caroline McHugh, who delves deeper into the interplay between purpose, values, and personal authenticity.
Give yourself a 20-minute pause and enjoy this thought-provoking presentation.
Kindly,
