Have you ever wondered, what are my values?
Perhaps you have an idea that having strong values will help to guide you through your life, but so far you’re not sure what those values are?
Tapping In To Your Values
One way of figuring out which values are most meaningful to you is to think about what you would like to hear in your own eulogy.
We’re not being morbid. Don’t get caught up in fear of dying! That’s not the point.
But imagine for a moment that you are attending your own funeral, and listening to the tributes that your loved ones are saying about you.
Start At The End And Work Backwards
Instead of asking “what are my values”, ask “what’s the legacy I’d like to leave behind?”
What do you most want people to say about the life you’ve led?
Look At Different Aspects Of Your Life
Think about this in terms of four main areas in your life:
- Work and education. What strengths and passions did you exhibit in the workplace, in your career, in your quest for knowledge and skills?
- Relationships. What kind of friend, parent, sibling, partner and colleague were you?
- Personal growth and health. How did you nurture your spiritual and physical self? What nourished your soul during your time on earth?
- Leisure. What creative or recreational activities did you adore? What hobbies and areas of interest inspired you?
Working backwards from your vision for what you’d like to be recognised for at the end of your life can provide a strong sense of what your values are.
For a quick exercise to explore your values further, try the Life Compass worksheet from ACT Mindfully by Russ Harris.
For deeper work, ACT therapy may be for you. Contact us at The Bondi Psychologist to book your first session.
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