Have you ever had a moment where you felt completely at ease, like everything just clicked into place?
Or maybe you’ve experienced a deep frustration that made you think, This isn’t right for me. These moments, both the joyful and the challenging, hold clues about something significant—your values.
The Why Behind Your Joy
In our recent Reinvent Yourself workshop, we started with a simple yet profound question: When do I feel most alive or most satisfied?
At first, this question caught some off guard. It’s easy to list the things we do daily, the tasks we complete, or the roles we play. But when we dig deeper—when we ask why those moments matter—we uncover the values driving us.
For some, it was the feeling of freedom while traveling. For others, it was the deep connection of meaningful conversations. Some felt the most alive when creating something new, while others found it in quiet moments of solitude.
What We Carry With Us
We also talked about where our values come from. Many of them are inherited, shaped by childhood experiences, cultural expectations, and the people who raised us. But part of adulthood—part of truly knowing ourselves—is deciding what we want to keep and what no longer fits.
Are you holding onto values that aren’t really yours? Have you let go of something that used to matter, but now, deep down, you realize it still does?
Values in Action
One of the most revealing exercises was looking at the moments when we felt hurt or frustrated. These emotions often signal a conflict between what we believe in and what’s happening around us.
If honesty is one of your core values, being lied to might hit harder than you expect. If creativity fuels you, a rigid environment might feel suffocating.
On the flip side, we reflected on moments of pride and fulfillment. What were we doing? Who were we with? These moments shine a light on the values that make us feel whole.
Your Core Three
By the end of the workshop, each participant had identified three core values—guiding principles that help shape decisions, priorities, and even their perspective on the world.
If you haven’t explored this for yourself yet, take a moment. Think about those moments of deep satisfaction and those of frustration. What do they tell you about what matters most?
Values aren’t just words on a list. They’re the compass that helps us navigate life. When we align with them, decisions become clearer, relationships deepen, and life feels more right.
So, what are yours?
