What Motivates You?

Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich (Proverbs 23:4). 

So far in your quest to uncover the truth about who you are, you've looked at personality type and passion.

The next key to living authentically is getting in touch with your core values.

Your core values are what you judge to be important in life.

Values are not the same as morals. Values are not chosen. Your values are part of your intrinsic make up.

Your values are what drive you. Your values are what motivate you.

Your core values are who you really are.

When you are involved in activities that are in line with your values you feel most like yourself. You have a deep sense of well-being  You feel connected, excited, glowing – everything is effortless.

On the contrary, when you are engaged in activities and behaviour that are not in line with your values you feel disconnected, frustrated, bored, upset, angry, disturbed, obligated – you find yourself wishing for a better life. You’re just going through the motions, fulfilling your responsibilities, doing what you feel you ought to be doing, but there is no life in it for you.

For example, if you are someone who values harmony and connectedness, you may find it very difficult working in a fast-paced, highly competitive office environment, where everyone’s main focus is simply getting ahead.

If freedom to choose and risk-taking are among your core values, you will probably end up feeling extremely bored, frustrated and trapped in working environment that requires you to follow strict protocols and report to your supervisor before making any significant decision.

Identifying your values can be a difficult process and I’m reluctant to give you a list of options to help you get started. I've found that people tend to look at a list of values and choose the ones that they think are most socially desirable or acceptable, rather than looking into themselves and uncovering the values that are really there. The process of coaching helps draw out what your values actually are.

Use this list simply as a prompt.

Choose the values that are important to you and rank them in their order of importance.

Expand the list by adding other personal values that are important to you.

Contribution	Excellence	Humour	Honesty	Orderliness	Adventure
Integrity	Discipline	Compassion	Spirituality	Creativity	Independence
Perseverance	Authenticity	Elegance	Trust	Accuracy	Growth
Joy	Service	Humility	Recognition	Aesthetics	Collaboration
Self-Expression	Tradition	Community	Freedom	Personal Power	Performance

Learn more about developing empowering belief systems in the next post.