What drives you forward or has you running for the hills? Your set of values.
Posted on April 27, 2021 by Gordon Fyfe, One of Thousands of Business Coaches on Noomii.
Let's explore why now is a great time to discover your own personal set of values - both TOWARDS and AWAY FROM.
Were I coaching US President, Jo Biden, as he approaches the milestone of his first 100 days in office, I would suggest that now would be a great time to take another look at the Inaugural Poem ‘The Hill We Climb’ written and recited by Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman at the Inauguration Ceremony back on January 20th.
The thing that struck me when I heard the poem was the stream of VALUES words that the poem contains.
When working with my clients I refer to both positive (TOWARDS) values and negative (AWAY FROM) values. It is important to recognise and understand what drives you forward but also what has you running for the hills. By recognising your values and having them close to hand you can better understand your behaviour, maximise each opportunity and empower yourself to deliver great results.
Amanda Gorman’s poem uses both Towards and Away From value words and phrases to powerful effect.
I suggest that you dig out the poem and take a look for yourself – to give you a taste, here is a selection.
TOWARDS
LIGHT
BRAVE
FINISHED
POLISHED
PRISTINE
PURPOSE
PUT DIFFERENCES ASIDE
HARMONY
GROW
HOPE
VICTORIOUS
REPAIR
SHARE
UNAFRAID
TRUTH
TRUST
POWER
HOPE
LAUGHTER
AWAY FROM
SHADE
AFRAID
BROKEN
BATTERED
BRUISED
INERTIA
DIVISION
HARM
GRIEVED
HURT
DEFEATED
DESTROY
SHATTER
FEAR
BURDEN
INTIMIDATION
POWER
INACTION
SADNESS
Read carefully through these lists (or your own if you have had time to look at the poem) and note 5 VALUES words and phrases from each list that resonate most with you. You will note that some are direct opposites, some stand alone and some, like power, can be both Towards and Away From values depending upon your personal interpretation.
Now spend some time adding to those lists with some new and personal words and phrases that have come to mind before settling on your 5 most powerful for each list.
Over the next few weeks, reflect on these 10 values – use them when decision making – consider them went things go to plan, or don’t. Maybe you need to add to the lists or take away. Once the lists have settled you will have your own values set to treasure. Treasure indeed as each is a nugget of pure gold the value of which will reveal itself time and again.
I wonder what President Biden would come up with?
If you are intrigued by this article and want to explore your values some more with me then do please get in touch.
Gordon Fyfe
