Finding and Understanding Who You Really Are
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Discovering the self is no easy feat. We rarely take the time to be deeply introspective to understand who we were, what we like, what we stand for, what we need, what we desire, why we make the choices we do… the list go questions is endless.
In taking the time to understand the essence of who you are (your core values), you will find many answers to why certain things in your life happened based on the choices you take. You will understand some of the choices you’ve made regarding friendships, your partner, work and career etc. Most, kind of know their core values but haven’t really dissected them, empowering you to optimize them and elevate the essence of your character and personality.
Knowing and identifying your “north star” and your sense of purpose, will provide you with so much clarity moving forward in life. This activity has helped so many of personal coaching clients, leaders/executive clients and teams). You’ll find it in my book THINK LIKE AN ARTIST.
Here is a list of the top 30 recurring core values.
1. Efficiency
2. Balance
3. Fairness
4. Creativity
5. Hard Work
6. Learning
7. Competence
8. Compassion
9. Community
10. Security
11. Loyalty
12. Status
13. Charity
14. Teamwork
15. Friendship
16. Adventure
17. Freedom
18. Boldness
19. Success
20. Authority
21. Recognition
22. Spirituality
23. Humility
24. Diversity
25. Humor
26. Kindness
27. Optimism
28. Empathy
29. Fun
30. Accountability
Review them and eliminate 10 of them. You should have 20 left over.
Write those 20 on a digital or hard copy note pad.
Take those 20 Core Values you selected and narrow them down to 10!
Write those 10 on a digital or hard copy note pad.
But wait, there’s more! Let’s really do down the rabbit hole.
Look carefully at your list of 10 Core Values.
Do they define you?
Do you live by them?
If so, congrats.
If not, it could mean you are not living authentically. Adjust accordingly.
Down the wormhole we go!
Take those 10 Core Values you selected and narrowthem down to only 4! Yes, only 4.
A tip to help you narrow them down to only 4. You will find that some Values overlap. For example, compassion and empathyare very similar, so one could be eliminated. Same with charity and community.Write those 4 on a digital or hard copy note pad.
Even better, frame them.
That’s the essence of who you are!
Live by these last four core values. They define your character or personal brand. They will be your compass in any decision or choices you make moving forward. Align your life with the true authentic essence of who you are, and you will find deep inner harmony.
Know thyself. Become thyself.
Vital Germaine
