Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! Evan Signature
Evan Carmichael Top Header
Share for a Cause









Discovering and Living by Your Core Values

Written by: John Chasteen

Article Overview: Core values are essential to keeping your life on track. Do you know yours? Most don't! Would you like to know yours? Here are a couple of quick ways to help you get started in discovering your core values and help you hammer them into a values statement:

Free Download - Taking Care of Business By John Chasteen
Name: Email:

Discovering and Living by Your Core Values

Core Values – everybody has them. As a matter of fact, we all live by them either consciously or unconsciously. They really are the driving force behind our lives.

Many of our core values do not originate from ourselves; they were given to us by others. I guess you could call them hand-me down values. Of course, others you formed as you navigated through life.

So you might be asking,” how does one define a value?” I define a value as “a distinctive set of core beliefs by which one measures his or her priorities in life.”

Values are an essential part in keeping one’s life on track. When we clarify our values, we begin to lay down a plumb line for all our decisions. They help us to navigate as we face future crossroads in our life.

Do you want to find your values? Here are a couple of quick ways to help you get started in discovering your core values and help you hammer them into a values statement:

1. Your values will always show up in the form of patterns in your life

Author and speaker Doug Fike says, “Life’s patterns are what values look like when lived out”. A pattern is something you are consistently doing because you have a certain value.

If you can discern patterns that crop up in your life, whether good or bad, then you can begin to understand the underlying values behind them.

Start with a list of patterns that seem to define your life.

2. Oftentimes your values can be described in short, simple one or two word phases

For instance, notice the following short word phrases and see if you can see a values pattern: “Spirit-filled and led, intimacy with God, quiet time, prayer.” These are a few of the short phrases that I use to describe my values on Spiritual life.

Now, take any category like marriage, personal development, or family for example, and begin to jot down phrases, images, or a short series of words to describe the way you feel about it. In reality, these are your values.

Keep working on them, refining and rephrasing them for a more defined set of core values.

Conclusion:

I suggest you practice the above exercises in ten key areas of your life; they are as follows:
1. Spiritual life
2. Marriage/single life
3. Family and children
4. Work
5. Church and ministry
6. Financial stewardship
7. Physical stewardship
8. Personal development
9. Social stewardship
10.Recreation and hobbies

Hope this helps!

Coach John

Works Cited: Doug Fike, Life Focus Resources, Transformational Leadership Coaching, 2005

Related Articles
  Reactive vs. Proactive & Core Beliefs
  Nine Commitments That Will Emphasize Business Ethics and Company Core Values Are Extremely Crucial To Your Business
  Are You Living Your True Self
  Your Core Values may be a waste of time
  Success! 3 Steps To Define, Live, Own Your Values

Home > Leadership > John Chasteen > Discovering and Living by Your Core Values
Article Tags: core beliefs, core values, crossroads, decisions, driving force, fike, intimacy with god, jot down, life values, marriage, matter of fact, measures, personal development, plumb line, priorities in life, quiet time, spirit, spiritual life, time prayer, word phrases

About the Author: John Chasteen
RSS for John's articles - Visit John's website

My life purpose consists of a strong call to coach, train and resource high level leaders. This mandate will be discharged primarily through the means of teaching in the field of higher education, free lance writing and personal coaching. Believer, College Professor, Life Coach, Family Man, Private Pilot, Leader, Free Lance Writer.

Click here to visit John's website
Dashed Line

More from John Chasteen
Taking Care of Business
Discovering and Living by Your Core Values
Lessons Learned From a Cliffhanger


Related Forum Posts
Re: Essential Leadership skills Re: Essential Leadership skills - Vision Values Mission Strategic Thinking Decision Making Communication Team Bonding People Development Coaching / Mentoring / Guiding / Grooming Presentation Thanks Robert
Re: What Do you Prefer More - Time or Money Re: What Do you Prefer More - Time or Money - Living the moment. I am living the moment since 4 years ago, after the docs found cancer. They removed it, of course, and since then I just do what i want. Jumping from an airplane was one thing, that was great. Now I want to fly to the moon. I need money for that.
Re: How does an entrepreneur stay energized? Re: How does an entrepreneur stay energized? - Hi there, This subject is not only for entrepreneurs. Everybody can benefit from this, that is the reason why 'Healthy Living and Eating' is a multi billion Dollar business. Often I smile, because so much is written about it. So many different business are blooming and doing well. Whilst there is so much knowledge and opportunity to be healthy and well, the need is still growing. There is so much that could be said. The cheapest form of energy is gained by a good sleep.
Inspiration for Logos Inspiration for Logos - When a Buddhist looks at a Tibetan flag one of the first thing that pops in their mind is admiration respect. After assimilating that they keep thinking and repression might come next. Living as part of a communist nation may bring lots of feelings. Chastity, prayer, humility all these virtues are all mixed. When you want a client to think of your Logo may this not be an example of what he thinks. Let its all be positive and with hope of something better coming.
The Old Girl's Network - (2003) The Old Girl's Network - (2003) - Haven't read this one yet... Contents A business of one's own: setting the stage Passion: Turning what you love into a real business Vision: Bringing Your Idea Into the World Pioneering Spirit: Discovering new frontiers Tenacity: Passions Bulldog Raising Capital: Translating your vision into dollars and cents Focus, feedback and flexibility Leadership lessons Life after the survival stage: Managing onward There's a Took Kit in the back that has lots of good stuff, including: Outline for competitive analysis: the basic issues to address before starting your company Outline for executive summary and business plan, with sample summary Explanation of non-disclosure agreement Milestone setting "Do you have what it takes" quiz Sample financing term sheet Due Diligence checklist Sample advisory agreement Process and systems review Outsourcing overview


Recommended Article for You close

  Reactive vs. Proactive & Core Beliefs

Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.



Featured Article


Bottom Footer
Share for a Cause












Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Popular Articles

How to Improve Your Time Management

Ready for a Fresh Image?

International Employment Background Checks

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.