Navigating Life's Values: No Compromise 👀

This week, I've been musing over something that hits close to home – values. You know, those guiding principles that shape our choices, decisions, and overall outlook on life. Ever found yourself at a crossroads, feeling like your values are not in sync with your reality? Well, you're not alone. Let's unpack this together and explore how it might be time for some recalibration.

Values often take a back seat in the hustle of life, only surfacing when we hit a moment of reflection or transition. Picture this: you're enrolled in a coaching programme (if you’re looking for a good one - get yourself on The Purpose Pursuit Waitlist), searching for a new direction, and suddenly, values come into focus. The realisation strikes that your values might not be aligned with your current life, causing disconnection, challenges, and even exhaustion. You know, being misaligned with your values can actually lead to burnout. 

So, what are these elusive values? They're not just lofty ideals like honesty or integrity (although they could be); they’re personal, and they're the bedrock principles that guide our choices, actions, and, ultimately, our happiness. The tricky part? You can't embrace every good thing as a core value; it requires some soul-searching to pinpoint your top priorities. Not everything can be a value. You’ve got to prioritise. Choose, and then live them out.

Let's talk practical examples of what it feels like to be out of sync with these values. Imagine you value creativity, a wonderful aspiration, right? But what if your workplace stifles innovation and divergent thinking? There lies the misalignment causing a profound sense of discontent and exhaustion.

Let’s take another example - perhaps you hold the value of treating each person as an individual, fostering a sense of uniqueness. Now, what if you're in an environment obsessed with uniformity and strict standards? That's a clash of values that can lead to dissatisfaction, even a moral injury.

I’ve coached so many people working in the public sector, especially doctors and nurses for instance, where personal values can be trampled upon due to systemic constraints.

How about a doctor that believes that need to give space to each patient to share how they feel? They run over night after night and go home emotionally exhausted. It’s a conflict of values and interests that’s pretty difficult to navigate. I’ve lived this out in my own work - as a former teacher, I loved my role, the impact I could make, and as a leader in my school, the strategic changes I could implement. But over time, the institution's priorities clashed with my values. 

Now, these clashes aren't always dramatic, but they chip away at our well-being. The burnout sneaks in when we compromise on personal values continuously. It's a slow erosion, and recognising it requires a level of confidence and self-awareness.

Now, let's step out of the workplace and into our personal lives. Values extend beyond our professional domains; they influence how we navigate relationships, family, and even our own well-being. If you value being present - are you present when you want to be? If you value fun - are you spreading joy as much as you aspire to? These are questions that reflect our adherence to personal values in our day-to-day interactions. Recognising these subtle deviations from our values isn't about perfection; it's about self-awareness.

Remember, it's not about having all the answers immediately. Life is a journey, and so is the pursuit of living authentically aligned with your values. Small steps matter, and intentional choices lead to a more fulfilling life. So, here's to embracing our values, navigating the clashes, and creating more harmony in our lives.

You can listen to more of my thoughts on this on the latest podcast episode of You're Better Than That' Click the link below to have a listen!