·Week 1: May 3-9
MAKE A TOP 3 LIST
We were thinking about values last week and hopefully you identified several that resonate with you and how you choose to live your life. Now we’re going to narrow down that list.
Step 1: Prioritize your top values
· Write down your top values, not in any particular order. If you need the original list again click HERE
· Look at the first two values and ask yourself, "If I could satisfy only one of these, which would I choose?" It might help to visualize a situation in which you would have to make that choice. For example, if you compare the values of service and stability, imagine that you must decide whether to sell your house and move to another country to do valuable foreign aid work, or keep your house and volunteer to do charity work closer to home.
· Keep working through the list, by comparing each value with each other value, until your list is in the correct order. Aim for your top 3 values in order of most important to least important.
Step 2: Reaffirm your values
Check your top-priority values, and make sure that they fit with your life and your vision for yourself.
· Do these values make you feel good about yourself?
· Are you proud of your top three values?
· Would you be comfortable and proud to tell your values to people you respect and admire?
· Do these values represent things you would support, even if your choice isn't popular, and it puts you in the minority?
Key Points
Identifying and understanding your values is a challenging and important exercise. Your personal values are a central part of who you are – and who you want to be. By becoming more aware of these important factors in your life, you can use them as a guide to make the best choice in any situation.
Some of life's decisions are really about determining what you value most. When many options seem reasonable, it's helpful and comforting to rely on your values – and use them as a strong guiding force to point you in the right direction.
SHARE WITH YOUR THERAPIST!
What made your Top 3 list?
How is that coming up for you this week?
How did you come to make that decision?
Was the process hard? frustrating? Surprisingly easy? Fun? I want to hear about it!
Wholeheartedly,
Elizabeth Lowder msw, lcsw
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