Living by Design: Choosing the Values That Shape Your Life
Living by Design: Choosing the Values That Shape Your Life
Value: a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life.
Core Values are like our operating system. They not only influence our behavior and responses, but also how we understand and interact with the world. These values shape our foundational beliefs–whether intentionally chosen or accidentally acquired.
My challenge for you is to determine what values will shape your life and legacy.
Identify your core values.
Determine your aspirational values.
Write them down. Commit them to memory.
Set aside time weekly to reflect on values.
Core Values
Core values are the standards you hold for yourself. Your words and actions will reveal what you truly value.
For instance:
If you value fun, you will naturally seek ways to bring playfulness and laughter into your days.
If you value order, your habits at home and work will create tidy, organized spaces.
Look at your life. Do you see evidence of boldness, drive, kindness, humility, patience, sensitivity, wisdom, or whatever you claim to value?
Exercise: Identity three to five core values and write them down in a notebook, sticky note, or notes app.
This can be done individually or with groups—families, businesses, and teams. Knowing your values and comparing them with group values will help us know if it’s a good fit before we connect. We can even use this in dating or new friendships to see if our personal values complement each other.
Aspiration Values
Aspirational values are values that you can cultivate with intentionality. They are what you want to see more of in your life.
My first aspirational value was the result of taking the Myers-Briggs personality assessment. As an ENTJ, I felt so seen for my passion and efficiency, but also horrified that others might perceive me as insensitive or cold. I immediately added kindness to my aspirational values.
I wanted to radiate warmth and compassion. Today, I am still passionate, efficient, and intense, but it doesn’t overshadow my kindness.
Exercise: Determine 1-2 aspirational values and note practical ways to incorporate them into your words and actions this season.
Values Reflection
If it’s important, it belongs on our calendar. That’s why I set aside time to reflect on my values in my weekly planning.
Evaluate: First, I’ll evaluate (1 to 10) how well I embodied those values this past week.
Celebrate: Then, I’ll recall and celebrate one moment when I expressed one of my current aspirational values this past week.
Commit: Finally, I’ll set intentions for how I can magnify my values this upcoming week.
Rock & Meadow Values
When Kelly & I launched Rock & Meadow, we established our company’s core values. These serve as guideposts for how we make decisions, how we treat others, and how we distribute resources. They will also be our filter for staffing additions, new program developments, and strategic partnership opportunities. Our core values are:
Faith: We believe that God created us with a good plan and purpose. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Courage: We boldly and obediently pursue God’s call, even when the odds are overwhelming. (Joshua 1:9)
Resolve: We have an antifragile resolve to live fully in God’s design, especially on the hard days. (Romans 5:3-5)
Gratitude: We choose to focus on the blessings and be grateful. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Generosity: We are an overflowing well of God’s goodness that blesses others. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
Your values are already shaping your life—whether you consciously choose them or not. The question is: Will you conform to whatever culture deems important this season, or will you choose your values with prayerful intention?
Write them down. Live them out. Reflect on them often. Allow your values to become the compass that guides your choices, relationships, and legacy.
What you value will determine what you become—so choose wisely, and live it boldly.
Faith Encouragement:
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 — Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Galatians 5:22-23 — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.