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Core Values
Amaan Ramzan
June 28, 2024
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Who you are is defined by the values that you are willing to struggle for.
The Breakdown
Hey fam!
DEEP DIVE
There are different meanings to the word value. Financially, value is defined by maximising returns and getting a good deal. Socially, value refers to group norms, principles, or standards that guide acceptable behaviour and collective decision-making.
However, I'd like to focus on the personal sense as that helps drive your decision-making for other areas in your life. Personally, values refer to standards or qualities we aspire to. This forms a personal creed to guide our behaviour and decisions.
When we don't make a conscious decision to live our lives according to values, we often drift through life and feel helpless. So, stepping back to think about core values to live towards helps create clarity and a life worth living.
Values: The compass that navigates our life's journey
Why Core Values Are Your North Star
The High-Performance Podcast (one of my favourite podcasts → maybe they’ll sponsor this newsletter one day) asks a simple question to their guests at the end of each episode.
"What are your 3 Non-Negotiable Behaviours?"
You'll often find that their chosen values underpin their success, showing the power of core values in guiding your behaviour.
My 3 non-negotiable values consist of honesty, respect and commitment. I’m still working on living closer towards these values but I have more clarity on what to focus on. Think of values as the fuel (or battery) in a car that drives you to your destination. We need to regularly re-fuel (or re-charge) to get ourselves to different destinations. In the same vein, we should regularly revisit our chosen values and consider if we're living our lives according to them...
Viktor Frankl's experience in the inhumane conditions of Nazi concentration camps is one of the best case studies of living to your core values. In Man's Search for Meaning, Frankl introduces "logotherapy", emphasizing life's primary motivational force: the discovery of meaning. His core message is even in the worst situations, understanding your core values and purpose helps you battle.
TIPS & TRICKS
TAKE ACTION TODAY
Take 15-30 minutes to consider which core values you want to focus on from now.
Pro Tip: Find a quiet environment and dive deep to pick 1-3 core values. Use James Clear's values list to help you decide.
THIS WEEK’S RECOMMENDATION
This video will open your eyes to the power of core values, meaning and purpose in giving your life more clarity.