Tools for Integrating Our Values Into Our Workplace and Lives
Hi friends,
How are you? It’s been awhile. (Five months, actually!)
Since we last chatted back in May, I’ve experienced some changes. You probably have, too.
Professionally, I’m still doing virtual training and speaking, but I’ve also begun in-person engagements again. In both venues, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching tools to self-regulate and thrive in challenging times to folks across the country. What an honor.
Personally, I’ve tried to make my work-related travel fun— taking my family to the Grand Canyon and Sedona in Arizona, hiking Mission Point to watch the sunrise alone in Michigan, detouring to visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio with a friend in Illinois.
The changes in my work and life have made me reassess my values, too.
After just starting my business six years ago, I was figuring out how to best prioritize activities and use time. I had two children at home (ages 6 and 16), and I was coming out of a mental health crisis and a year of marriage counseling. It was easy to decide my values: self-care and family. These two tenants have been my lens and filter for every decision I’ve made in the last six years.
Today, my kids are older; they need me differently. My marriage is good. I have a long-standing self-care practice built into my daily schedule. My life is changing, and I want to be intentional about my focus and development.
I began to ask, “What value will lead me to my growth edge now?”
The value that came up surprised me: adventure!
I have a natural desire for exploration and novelty that I’ve never lost but always felt I needed to keep in check, so what does it mean to move adventure from an indulgence to a focus for decision-making?
Two things:
Taking advantage of opportunities to curate exploration and experience novelty.
Letting go of guilt associated with these opportunities and cultivating joy instead.
Like my values of self-care and family, I am in aspirational territory. However, in my heart, I know this is what I need to stay engaged and continue evolving.
I know I’m not the only one reassessing my values because of work.
As a post-pandemic world becomes a possibility, it has led to what’s been named the “Great Resignation.” NPR states, “Many are rethinking what work means to them, how they are valued, and how they spend their time. It's leading to a dramatic increase in resignations — a record 4 million people quit their jobs in April alone.”
People are thinking more about what they really want. It’s a time to be intentional—for organizations and individuals.
Below I am providing a “Values-Based Toolkit” for individuals and teams interested in intentional engagement through focusing on values-based growth.
I’d love to hear what you find!
Warmly,
Brandi
P.S. – Interested in increasing engagement in your organization through focusing on values? Let’s chat!
Values-Based Toolkit
Below is an activity to find your values-based growth edge, which can lead to more intentionality and engagement in work and life.
Download, print, and cut out this “Personal Values Card Sort”
Sort the values cards into stacks of “Important,” “Not Important,” and “Very Important” to me
Set aside the “Important” and “Not Important” stack, focusing on the “Very Important” cards. Narrow these cards down to five values
From these five values, ask yourself: “Which value will lead me to my growth edge right now?”
Once you’ve chosen a value, brainstorm what it might look like, sound like, and feel like to fully live into this value
From this brainstorm, write 1-3 actions you can take
Want more?