Values Tug

30 July 2024

The work we have done in prior posts has helped you define your core values.  When you know your values you are clearly able to see what is important to you, and while it is not always comfortable, your values are one of the best guides you have for making major life decisions, including career decisions.

Here's a way to tune into your values when you have an important, but tricky, career decision to make:

Take a sheet of paper and divide it into six columns (or one column for each of your core values).
Across the top of the page clearly write down the decision you are grappling with.  Make this as clear and simple as you can e.g. "Do I apply for the promotion now?"
In your first column take one of your core values and for strictly two minutes (time yourself) make as many dot points that connect this value to the decision you are considering.  Even if you run out of thoughts stay with this column for the full two minutes.
Continue across the page giving two minutes to each of your core values.  Note: you can repeat ideas if that is appropriate.  
Next, grab a fresh sheet of paper and answer the following questions:

How do my values guide me in this decision?
Which of my values most align with this decision?
Which of may values have a problem with this decision?
Which of my values seem to be in conflict on this decision?

Living your values is an active process and it is not always easy.  Our values rub up against habitual routines, social pressures, and our inertia.  For example creativity may be a core value, but we end up watching Netflix in our spare time rather than creating.  On top of this our top values can conflict with each other.  Your value of connection wants you to head out to see a movie with friends, while your value of creativity tugs you to work out the tune that has been forming in your head - in the end you don't do either.  Or to take a more career related scenario, your value of openness has you regularly check out new jobs, but your value of security keeps reminding you of all you have in your current situation.

Getting visibility when our values are in conflict may not lead to easier decisions, but it does lead to understanding.  And here is the big thing - making decisions when your values are in conflict builds your character.  It is in these tough decisions that you decide the person you want to be.

In the next article we will look at some of the classic values conflicts.

As always, wishing you a flourishing career.

Katherine