Living a Meaningful Life: Why Knowing Your Values Matters
Values are the beliefs and principles that guide our behaviours and decisions, and living according to our values is crucial for living a meaningful life. But what does it mean to live a meaningful life? It means living in a way that aligns with our values and gives us a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Identifying our values is the first step in living a meaningful life. Our values may differ from one context to another, such as in our personal and professional lives. For example, someone may prioritise honesty and integrity in their personal life, but in their professional life, they may prioritise productivity and efficiency. Identifying our values is important because it helps us to live a more meaningful life. When we live in accordance with our values, we experience a sense of fulfillment, purpose, and direction. When our actions do not align with our values, we may feel uncomfortable, dissatisfied, anxious, or unfulfilled. Additionally, not living in line with our values can lead to burnout and relationship difficulties.
Values can be difficult to identify due to: (1) lack of self-awareness as some people may have a limited understanding of their own thoughts, emotions and behaviours; (2) conflicting values as sometimes people may hold conflicting values which make it difficult to prioritise what matters most to them; (3) external influences as society, culture and family can all influence a person’s values which then makes it challenging to differentiate between values that are truly important to oneself versus those that have been imposed by others; (4) fear of judgement as some people may be hesitant to acknowledge their values out of fear of being judged by others or they may also worry that their values may not align with societal norms/expectations; (5) past traumas as experiences of trauma or other negative life events can make it difficult for someone to connect with their values or see the importance of doing so; and (6) lack of clarity as identifying values can be a challenging and complex process that requires time, reflection and exploration and some people may simply not have invested the time or effort to explore what they truly value in life. Here are a few practical exercises that can help you discover your values:
Reflect on moments of happiness: Think back on times when you felt truly happy or fulfilled. What were the activities or circumstances that led to those moments? These can give clues to what you value in life.
Identify role models: Think of people you admire and look up to. What qualities do they possess that you find admirable? These qualities can also reflect your values.
Consider your passions: What are the things that you enjoy doing the most? What activities make you lose track of time? These can be indicators of what you value in life.
Write a personal mission statement: Write down what you want to achieve in your life and how you want to live. This can help clarify your values and priorities.
Take a values assessment: There are many online assessments that can help you identify your core values. These assessments can provide a starting point for further reflection and exploration. Here you can take the Personal Values Assessment quiz online for free.
Seek feedback from others: Ask people you trust and respect what they think your values are. Their input can provide valuable insights and help you see yourself from a different perspective.
Think about one area of your life you would like to improve (e.g., family, parenting, friendships, work, study, health, etc.). Select one of the strategies listed above and take some time to work through the exercise. You may want to write it down on a piece of paper or in a diary. How did you go? So, now that you have identified your values, what next? Here are some things you can do to start living a more values-aligned life:
Prioritise: Identify which values are most important to you and prioritise them in your daily life.
Set goals: Use your values as a guide to set goals and make decisions that are in line with what is most important to you.
Take action: Actively seek out opportunities to live out your values in your daily life, whether it's through volunteering, speaking up for causes you believe in, or making lifestyle changes that align with your values.
Reflect and adjust: Regularly reflect on your actions and behaviours to ensure that they are consistent with your values. If you find that you are acting in ways that do not align with your values, adjust your behaviour accordingly.
Seek support: Surround yourself with people who share your values and can support you in living a more values-aligned life.
Living a values-aligned life is an ongoing process, and it may take time to fully integrate your values into your daily life. However, by regularly reflecting on your values and taking action to align your behaviour with them, you can live a more fulfilling and authentic life.