Values: living life of integrity with yourself

Values

There is a long list of values that each person holds dear to the heart. When we take action that is against our values, often we feel our whole existence is under threat. There is a long list of values, but I just want to mention a few: honesty, integrity, family, community, autonomy, excellence, financial success, self expression, self-care, creativity, adventure, respect, and many more. As we grow and change, our values grow, develop, and shift with us. If we are treated or feel as if we are forced to act in misalignment with our values, we feel anger, disappointment, grief, lack of respect and sometimes, even safety. As a result, we can become defensive or even offensive towards people we love and respect, who might not be those who challenged our values. When we have a sense of compromised value, it affects our world view and makes us see the world through a negative lens.

Values according to Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching

According to iPec philosophy, there are 2 types of values: conscious, values that we thoughtfully choose to adopt, and fear based and inherited values.

Fear based values

Fear based values rely on the past. They are based on protection through avoidance. Fear based values are often based on stereotypes and assumptions. For example, the belief that in order to be successful, people can’t have fun and be adventurous. They have to work hard. Another value that is worth looking at is I can’t let my emotions get into my business. As a teacher, my most fulfilling moments came through deep connections I developed with families I am honored to work with. If you want to explore more on emotions and business, I strongly recommend the book by Bruce D. Schneider “Energy Leadership: Transforming Your Workplace and Your Life from the Core”.

In today’s world, people often overlook the value of mental wellness and wellbeing for fear that this shows weakness.

Conscious values

Conscious values are aligned with desired outcomes, they serve and support you, and they are an outcome of the personal transformation. This transformation requires effort and investment in personal growth. Here are a few things to consider if you are ready to depart on this journey of exploring what your values are and how they serve you. Think about a time when life was really good. What value was being expressed?