How are you? Feeling good? Excited for Christmas?
Or crazy busy, overwhelmed by all that still has to be completed before you can relax?
Well I very much hope that you will be taking a break over the next few weeks – a chance to regroup and recuperate as we say goodbye to 2018 and welcome the new year.
In my experience, this time of year provides a great opportunity for reflection and review.
An opportunity to assess what is working in your life, what is not working, what you have been ‘tolerating’ for far too long, and what you might like to change as we arrive at the start of another new year.
So, no matter how busy it is likely to be over the holidays, be sure to carve out some time for you. Take a few moments to reflect on the year just gone and to consider how you would like to shape the coming year.
Most of us share the same ultimate goal. To live happy, fulfilling lives.
And it is with that in mind, I invite you to take a look at the connection between your work and your values. Hopefully, they are aligned.
Time spent at work forms such a large part of our life, it is important that we do not experience major discord here. Life is best when our values and activities reflect each other. When they don’t, we will inevitably experience that constant nag that ‘something is missing’. Because we are not ‘walking our talk’ at a core level.
Whether or not you are aware of them, your values already govern your life. Becoming more aware of them will help you know what you want from your life – and what you don’t. Decisions will become easier to make. Once you have clarity around your values, you will become aware of the things that move or upset you the most. Everything you love or hate relates to your values.
Values are at the heart of your judgement and your behaviour. Becoming aware of your values will strengthen your trust in yourself and your confidence.
Knowing what your values are, will:
- Help you make decisions
- Help you choose the right career/next opportunity
- Help you become more aware of your identity
The better you understand what truly matters to you, the better you can make career and life decisions that result in happiness and fulfilment. Naturally, there will always be moments of tedious work, struggle, frustration, etc. That is unavoidable. What IS avoidable is the feeling “Why am I doing this?”.
I suggest you act immediately if this thought frequently enters your mind.
Consider this. WHAT about 2018 DID work for you? Try to find commonalities between your best moments. There could be an important insight waiting to be discovered. Do the same for what you didn’t like. Are there changes you could make to reduce these types of moments in 2019?
What do you need in order to operate every day at your best?
Do you require community or structure? Perhaps freedom and self-direction matter more. These preferences will influence the types of positions that you will be happy in and even perhaps, the way that you choose to structure your day and/or your week.
Also, be careful about what advice you take. If someone makes a work suggestion, try to determine if they are suggesting it because they think you would like it or because they like it and assume that others will too. How does the opportunity support you in living a life that is aligned with your core values?
Ultimately, you are the captain of your own ship. The more you live life, the more you understand that it is about creating what works for you.
I leave you with this to contemplate as we move towards a new year.
Wishing you a truly magical Christmas and a wonderful year ahead.
x Sending you so much love x
I would love to get to know you more, connect with me here.
