What are Core Values?
What They Are and Why They Are Important
Personal core values are the fundamental beliefs of an individual. These deep-seated, elementary principles guide and shape our behaviour and form the structure to our moral and philosophical existence.
Our core values enable us to understand the difference between right and wrong. They are the foundation of our personal ethics system.
Core values are ubiquitous; they permeate every aspect of our lives. They are universal and ever-present. Like the foundations of a house, they underpin everything that we do.
Values explain why people do what they do. We can see them in our behaviours, beliefs, activities, qualities and the goals that we strive for.
Values explain why people do what they do. We can see them in our behaviours, beliefs, activities, qualities and the goals that we strive for.
Why core values are important
Personal core values are central to our existence. Ultimately, we can only achieve true happiness and fulfilment when are values are satisfied, and we live a life that is in harmony with them.
We cannot overestimate the importance of our values. They determine the choices that we make, and the level of satisfaction we feel with the outcomes of these choices, the direction our life takes and influence our decision making in all aspects of our lives.
The career we follow, the partners we choose, the way we spend our free time and the parental philosophy we adopt – we build all of these decisions around our values.
Our values provide the energy for our goals and our desire to achieve them. If you find yourself in a situation where you must work towards something that does not align with your core values, you will feel frustrated, unhappy and disillusioned.
Where do our core values come from?
Personal values are a reflection of our past experiences. Our childhood and the dominant values of the associated culture and society that raised us fundamentally shape our core values.
Although some people make a conscious effort to deliberately mould their values, thus rejecting those of their childhood, this is unusual. Most people adopt the values that raised them, although it’s worth pointing out that this is not necessarily a conscious act. Many people simply accept the values they have always known despite their importance and the impact values have on our lives.
It is essential to reflect on your values to see if they bring you happiness and fulfilment. The values you are living might take you in a different direction away from the life you want to lead. In this situation, it is crucial to gain a deep understanding of where you find meaning and what you believe is ultimately important in life, and which values reflect this.
Further reading from The Rediscovery of Me
References
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