Step 1: Create Space for Reflection

In the noise of daily life, it’s easy to lose sight of what genuinely matters to you. Between work deadlines, social obligations, and endless to-do lists, your core values can get buried beneath the urgent but unimportant. Here’s a straightforward approach to reconnect with what truly counts.

Find minutes of uninterrupted time it can range from 5-20 minutes. At that time turn off notifications, close your laptop, and sit somewhere comfortable. This isn’t about productivity—it’s about clarity. You can’t hear your inner voice when you’re constantly consuming information or responding to others. This is when you are sitting and thinking about what you believe your priorities are.

Step 2: Ask the Defining Questions

Grab a journal or open a blank document and answer these questions honestly: When do you feel most like yourself? If you had only five years left, what would you regret not doing? Your answers reveal what you value, not what you think you should value.

Step 3: Identify Patterns

Review your responses and look for themes. Perhaps connection keeps appearing, or creativity, or balance, or purpose. These recurring elements are clues to your core values. Circle or highlight them. Most people have three to five dominant values that drive their deepest satisfaction. If you need help creating themes, below are some examples:

Compassion Integrity  Growth  Connection  Equity

Authenticity Boundaries  Rest Curiosity  Courage

Creativity Responsibility Balance  Hope Presence

RespectHonesty  Joy Self-Compassion Purpose

Step 4: Reality Check Your Calendar

Now comes the uncomfortable part. Pull our your paper calendar or the one on your phone and ask yourself: how did I  actually spend the past week? Does your time allocation reflect those values you just identified? If family matters most but you worked 70 hours, there’s a disconnect. This gap between values and actions is where dissatisfaction lives.

Step 5: Make One Aligned Choice

Now that we noticed what is off, we can make changes. However, don’t overhaul your entire life today. Instead, identify one small decision you can make this week that honors what matters most. If creativity is your value, schedule some time to sketch or write. If health is paramount, plan one nourishing meal. Small aligned actions create momentum.

Step 6: Review and Adjust

Set a monthly reminder to revisit this process. Your values may evolve, or you might discover you’re drifting again. Regular check-ins keep you anchored to what matters.

Tapping into what matters most isn’t a one-time achievement—it’s an ongoing practice of paying attention, being honest, and choosing courageously. Start today, even if it’s just with 20 minutes of reflection.

Wisdom to Carry With You:

• Taking the time to slow down to assess what matters to you will result in alignment of your values and your actions
• Follow the steps to help you identify your values and practice incorporating them during your week.
• In the comments below, let us know your value and 1 action you are going to take to honor it this week.

I appreciate you taking the time to read my post. I’m just trying to offer a few words of wisdom in a complex world. Subscribe, comment, like, or share it with others if this resonated with you. Life is hard, and I am here to help. To learn more about the services I offer, you can go here: Services

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