Core Values

Core Values are the center, the fountain and direction of our passion whether conscious or unconscious.

Core Values are your personal building blocks for behavior motivation which are used to fuel and measure your performance and give guidance to how you proceed moment by moment. Core Values are similar to a personal constitution, foundational principles, behavioral framework, or your moral compass. The more we know about ourselves and our higher desires, the more energy and purpose we can apply to a rewarding life.he more energy and purpose we can apply to a rewarding life.

Core Values become a measurement tool for evaluating past and contemplated activities. They are grounding and clarifying when faced with decisions about direction and destinations. Reviewing proposed Core Values of others can be helpful but don’t blindly adopt them. Core Values are more powerful the more personally they are selected. Keep it simple by having no less than five and no more than ten. That’s why they are called core. The process of mapping what appears to be additional values into the Core Values is enlightening and increases passionate focus.

Core Values are a Personal Choice

Family, community, religion, national and other cultures influence the development of our Core Values and provide an important framework for childhood development and our perception of self and the purpose of life.  As we approach adulthood after many experiences and educational opportunities, it is very important to realize that Core Values can be revised, personalized, and even changed removing some and selecting new one.  This may be difficult because our values influenced so much of our lives when we were young.  Whether it’s called rebellion or maturity, looking at why we do what we do and reconsidering our belief system is a valuable process of going from a child or young adult to a more passionate productive adult. Many leadership transformational programs provide a process to make a “paradigm shift” a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions. Often it is our old beliefs that hold us back from becoming more effective and passionate with our creations, connections, contributions, and participation in communities. Though it is not easy, modifying our Core Values is a personal choice.

Core Values provide Clarity

When we are consciously aware of why we do what we do then we can consider if our behavior is actually aligned with your Core Values.  Too much focus on doing “the right” thing before we are clear on our Core Values may increase our confusion and dissatisfaction with the results of our actions. The application of Core Values is as individual and personal as the Core Values themselves.  Nothing is more confusing in the long-run as doing what other people are doing because they are doing it.  Making choices to do what you want to do because its an expression of your Core Values is grounding, centering you actions on what is important to you.

Core Values are not Goals

We often plan things we think we should do, rather than ponder who we really are, what we believe in, and what we aim to achieve. If your Core Values were, for instance, trust, loyalty, respect, kindness, and integrity, being more trusting, more loyal, or more kind are not appropriate goals.  Values do not transfer directly into behavior.  However, behavior and goals of action can be based upon your Core Values. The intent of the action or behavior choice can be based upon your Core Values.

Core Values are not Personality

Personality shows up as our patterns of thinking and feeling. Values are deeply held principles that guide our choices and influence our emotions.  There can be a wide spectrum of people with different personalities that hold the same values.  In other words, common values can be expressed through many different personalities. Authenticity is when behavior is true to the Core Values held by the individual regardless of there personalities.  Often and incorrectly, personality types are generalized to have some of the same Core Values.  We all need to be careful to not judge a book, ourselves, or others by its cover.  Core Values are personal and can change. Personality is personal and can be misunderstood.  Behavior may or may not be a manifestation of the person’s personality nor their Core Values.  All that being said, learning about and connecting with yourself and your personality will enhance your ability to apply your Core Values more effectively.  Please see the section “Connecting with Authentic Self” and the suggested personality tests.

Core Values are Motivational

Core Values directly motivate our actions by shaping the relative attractiveness of the choices available.  We will be passionate about our choices and actions that align with our Core Values.  Energy, effectiveness, and satisfaction are higher when our behavior aligns with our Core Values. Out emotional attitude during the activity and our gratefulness at completion will also be higher.  The serious development and focused application of Core Values is what make it possible to powerfully and purposefully participate in life.

Core Values Selection

The process of selecting and refining you Core Values is not a one-time effort that will be done and applicable for the rest of your life. Review the recommendations of others but don’t blindly adopt the list of values utilized by others.  Make sure the values fit you personally.  They need to feel right.  Take the time to ponder the words, their definitions, their application in sentences.  Don’t be absolute at first.  Make lists of words that seem close before fore you narrow down a list of 15-20 values to make your list of Core Values.  Many of the suggested values by others will overlap or seem repetitive.  Sometimes reviewing negative values will help you decide on their positive counterparts. Formulated Core Value lists are in many cultures and religions.  Human beings through the ages just like to create a purpose, decide what is “right”, and judge theirs or other’s actions according to their own perception.

Please discover, ponder, and analyze more Core Values by search in Google using just “Core Values”.  Everything is online including lists, examples, purpose of, an more

Previous Core Values Posts:

• Critical Personal Balance
• A Couple of 25th Anniversaries
• When You Believe
• Living a Life of Passion, Joy and Purpose
• Great Climbs and Great Falls
• Almost Died That Morning