Steps to Transform Your Life or Work: #1 Audit your values

Because values drive decisions

Welcome to a series of posts on how to create change ⛅ at work or in life.

Sketch by author: some popular values.

Step 1: Audit your values

If you want to transform anything, you need to start by looking at the big picture.  Identify what got you to where you are now and what will propel you forward.  

Values are behind your choices, influencing how you live your life; what you do and how you work. 

The problem is - the values you follow are not always the one you believe in. 

If you never question the values you are living and working by, you are implementing someone else’s.  And they may clash with your own.

Avoid paying lip-service to values

Consider a company with high staff turnover making the same mediocre products for years. But citing “excellence, respect and innovation” as their values.

The same inconsistency can apply to individuals.  Sometimes we cling to values we think we should have.  Or used to have.  Or those that represent our parents, teachers, company or society.  

And that can be a recipe for dissatisfaction, stress and even illness.

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Conduct a values audit

To avoid an uncomfortable mismatch, review your values regularly and honestly.  

Beware that this is not always easy, especially in the moment.  It’s often much clearer in hindsight.  

Here’s a personal example:

Establishing a career

I left university ready to focus on stability, wealth and learning.

When the logistics company I was working for folded,  I moved from an industrial park in Leeds in the UK to a factory in Chiba, Japan.

Values that drove this risky choice: adventure, curiosity and learning.

A couple of years later, I returned to the UK. I applied my knowledge of Japanese culture, business and language to working as a research assistant at a consultancy firm.  I took every opportunity to take on more responsibility and became a consultant. 

The values that got me there: ambition, challenge and learning.

Growth and development

Having secured a top job, my goals were developing status, prosperity and expertise.

I threw myself into my career, but I was conscious of what was missing.  I love languages and culture, but those skills were underutilised. 

At the same time, I fell in love, and lost a close friend to cancer.  Suddenly, priorities came into sharp focus.  

I got married. My husband and I decided to quit our corporate jobs to go freelance, and move to a developing country.  We stayed for 8 years and had 2 children.

My values were love, diversity, learning and meaningful contributions.

Expertise

Consolidation, building and increasing wealth and status.

We moved to Europe. Opportunities to craft my own career path became limited.  At the same time, my children needed me to help them learn, grow and navigate change.

And my husband valued my partnership setting up operations in the Balkans.  

I focused on supporting my family and chose love, contribution, learning and teamwork.

Fruition

Achievement and recognition.

I have my own interpretation of these societal norms. I want to use my skills to their fullest effect to express myself and support others. Writing, drawing, teaching, training and consulting on change, travel and culture.  And building networks online and IRL.

My values are self development, learning and creativity.

Moving forward

I don’t know exactly what lies ahead but I'm confident of one thing.

In every decade I have prioritised learning and development in some form or other. For myself and others.  That is my constant, guiding value.  

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Your turn

Now try conducting the same experiment yourself.

Note down key points from your life and career, and what values were behind your decisions.

For possible values, check my illustration above or James Clear’s list here.

Notice and highlight:

• What values have been prominent and hidden;

• How many of them have been your own;

• Which have been imposed;

• What value has been your constant driver;

• Which value(s) have been neglected; and

• How will you focus on your most important values from now on.

This exercise is a reflection to help you make sense of the past, focus on enjoying the present and plan an exciting future.

It’s about getting to know yourself better.  Not about beating yourself up over mistakes or gaps.  

You may need to compromise sometimes. 

Your destination might not be clear.  

But by focusing on what matters to you, you can take control at any point to get the most from the journey.

Clarifying your true values is the first step to transformation.

Follow the steps by yourself and drop me a comment here or in the chat.

I’d love to hear your experience, get your feedback or respond to any questions.

Life is a journey full of changes and everyone’s map looks different.