Values and Vision: Determining What’s Important in Life to You #AtoZChallenge

Posted on by Astrid

Hi everyone. I’m still struggling a bit, but I was pretty creative again today. Besides, I’m still going strong with the #AtoZChallenge and that’s an accomplishment in its own right. Today’s letter is V and I want to talk about values and how to have a vision for your life.

Like I shared when discussing positive psychology, living a life in accordance with your values is part of living the Good Life, which is the second step on the ladder to happiness. Having a vision in life, ie. something bigger than yourself to live for, is part of the highest step in happiness, the Meaningful Life. If it’s merely something personal you want to accomplish, a life vision can also help you if you’re “just” on the second step. But how do you decide on your values and create a vision for your life?

Most people live by many different values. When Googling, I actually found long lists of possible values. For example, one started with achievement, authenticity, autonomy, beauty and I’m pretty sure I forgot some starting with A and B. However, the key to living your life with intention is to narrow them down and decide which five or so are the most important to you. You may then even be able to choose two or three that are your absolute top priority. These are your core values and these will most likely be fairly stable throughout adulthood. Deciding whether your decisions align with these values, will guide you on your path towards a more meaningful life.

A way to figure out your core values is to have an honest conversation with your inner wise person, ie. yourself as a person nearing the end of their life. How would you like to be able to look back at your life?

You will, when you’ve figured out your core values, also be able to set a vision for your life. Put simply, this is what you ideally want to see when you reflect on your life near the end of it.

So are core values actually science-based? In general, yes, but it depends on how you use them. If you merely write down a few values and never actively work on living by them, you will not gain anything from them. Yes, that includes my choosing a word for the year and only thinking about it once a month when it was time to do my monthly reflection. However, if you hold all your important decisions up against your core values, they will certainly be helping you live a more meaningful life.

16 thoughts on “Values and Vision: Determining What’s Important in Life to You #AtoZChallenge”

  5. I do live my life by certain values but I don’t remember ever sitting down and choosing what they would be. I chose them as I went along for what felt right for me. And now being 78, I’m getting to the final stretch and values are firmly in place.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. I did some values work with my past therapist and it was kind of hard to pin down to the individual value from the vast number available. I still have that workbook in my shelf…. should go back and refresh some of that stuff. You’re doing great with these posts, Astrid!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for the compliment! I’d like to do some values work sometime too, but I completely see how it can be hard to pinpoint just a few from t he vast array available.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.