One of the most important things we do as business owners is make decisions. And one of the most crucial filters through which I make my decisions is my core values. Having my most important values clearly articulated helps me consciously make choices that keep me in alignment with my non-negotiables.
The Power of Clearly Articulated Values
One of the ways I help my clients is to provide them with a simple, step-by-step process for identifying and prioritizing their core values.
When they’re done with the exercise, they have clear, concise statements of their most important parameters for the multitude of decisions they make in their business and life.
Decisions like:
-
Who to hire.
-
What investments to make.
-
What does and does not go on their calendar.
Make decisions that align with your values and you end up creating a business and life that is deeply fulfilling. Make decisions that don’t align with your values and you’ll create a business and life that is stressful and draining.
My Top Core Values
I thought I’d share my top values here. As you read them, you’ll get to know me better and you will have an example for writing out your own values.
I keep these visible on my desk so any time I’m making a decision they are front and center. It is one of the most important elements that helped me transform from a chronic overthinker to a confident decision maker.
Value #1: God’s Word Is My Plumb Line
A plumb line is a tool builders use to make sure the building is square. If it is off, it will be unstable and cause major problems.
This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand.—Amos 7:7 (NIV)
Your most important core value serves as your “North Star.” My North Star is the Bible and the Gospel message of the Scriptures.
Today, I’m a total Bible nerd, but I wasn’t always. When I walked into my first Bible study about 30 years ago I was a serious skeptic. But after decades of serious study, I can honestly say the words in the Bible are now life to me.
So if a choice before me doesn’t square up with the Word of God, then it is a no.
Value #2: Balance Truth With Grace
One of the core precepts I’ve learned from studying the Bible and my own walk with the Lord is that God leads with grace. He meets us where we are, as we are.
That grace creates a safe space in which we can see truth. In that space of grace, we can see the truth about ourselves and the choices before us.
It also makes it okay for us to acknowledge when we are out of alignment with that truth. And that is how transformation begins.
We can’t heal what we don’t reveal. And when we know we will be met with grace, we can feel safe to reveal the truth to ourselves and make changes so that we align with that truth.
One of the most profound privileges I experience as a coach is the honor of creating a space of grace and truth for my clients.
In this safe space, I help them have an honest look at their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. I gently show them the impact those have on the results they are creating in their business and personal life.
Then, we use those discoveries to create the results they want to experience instead.
Without a balance of both truth and grace, we end up stuck where we are.
If there is only grace and no truth, it becomes easy to rationalize our current state and stay in denial of the true consequences of old patterns of thinking and behaving.
With only truth and no grace, truth becomes a weapon of shame and judgment that sends us into hiding from the truth. And that keeps us stuck repeating the unhelpful patterns and reaping the same ol’ painful results.
Value #3: Be Honest, Authentic & Discerning
When I balance grace and truth, I can safely be honest and authentic about my own struggles. I can acknowledge I’m a work in progress. I don’t have all the answers. I don’t do things perfectly.
Exercising discernment regarding who I open up to and at what level I’m comfortable sharing keeps me safe and ensures that I show up in appropriate ways. I don’t over share intimate or gory details, but I also don’t face the world from behind a mask of phony perfection or trying to be someone I’m not.
When I am honest, authentic and discerning, I am able to create connections with others. I can learn from them and they can learn from me. I don’t have to live in fear of being caught out as an imposter or fraud. And I know that some likes (or doesn’t like) me for who I truly am.