What are personal values and why are they foundational to living an authentic life?

Personal values have been said to create the lense in which we view the world, and each person has a unique set of values that were created based on our unique experiences. As we have experienced positive and negative outcomes, we have defined, and redefined our values throughout our lives.

We see our values most clearly when we make decisions, and by reflecting back on our previous decisions, we can gain insight into how we have valued different things in the past and check in on if our we are happy with these outcomes.

Here are a few examples of personal values (know that there are MANY more): honesty, kindness, peace, integrity, equity, loyalty, social justice, freedom, creativity, health, financial success, stability, love, justice, faith, or humor.

When we know our values we are more able to make decisions that are in line with our goals, intentions, and desires for our future.

With clarity about who we are and what we want, we can more easily make decisions to get us where we want to be in the future.

To live an authentic life, we must be able to express ourselves and our honor our values in our decisions.  Otherwise, we end up out of alignment, confused about how we got where we are, and upset about where we are headed.

To be authentic takes courage and trusting yourself to be able to know that even if other’s don’t agree, don’t get it, don’t support you – you support you, and you know that you are doing what’s best for yourself.

“You do you”

“I am proud of who I am”

“It’s okay to put my needs first.

“self love helps me love others”

All of these art mantra or confidence quotes to remind yourself to prioritize your needs.

These mantras/quotes can help you engage in values-based decision making, which is the key to finding happiness and contentment.

Now, I know someone is going to think that this sounds selfish, it may be really strange for some of you to consider prioritizing what YOU want and what YOU value…. So, let me address that….Part of our values can be to give to others, education, generosity, kindness, justice, are all. Values that help others. It is okay to know your valued and I recommend considering how your values work for you and for others.

Saying “yes” to what you want, and “no” to what you don’t provides you with freedom.

Imagine relationships (personal and professional) that when you were yourself simply responded with “great, I love you for being you” – people may not always SAY that, but imagine that type of a response… “okay, great, i’m glad you’re doing what’s best for you, let’s meet up later, take care!!” what would it feel like to be supported? To be understood? To be honest?

If i am not living MY authentic life, whose life am i living?

What does all of this fear and hiding actually do for me? Who am i afraid of? What changes do i need to make to feel free of this fear and judgement in order to be my authentic self?

If you’re struggling to consider what your personal values are and how to live them out authentically in your career and life, but know that it is something you WANT and are ready to work on and change – let’s talk

Go to my website

Apply for a career strategy session.

Let’s get to know each other and see if my 8-week long career coaching program that helps women find clarity, courage, and confidence to pursue their dream career and lifestyle might be able to help you reach your goals.

Thanks for tuning in,

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