I happened to meet one of my friends recently, and during our conversation, she shared how she was feeling unhappy at work-even though, on paper, it seemed like the perfect job. It got me thinking about where the disconnect might be. As we continued our chat, I realized that one of her core values was not being fulfilled.
So, what are values?
We can think of values as an internal compass that guides us in all areas of life-values are what we truly value.These are the things that are important for us (in any area of life), and we seek to experience more of them in order to feel fulfilled.
Some examples of values at work include learning, growth, contribution, making an impact, work culture, freedom, and so on.
How do we understand what our values are?- By asking these five questions:
1. What are my guiding principles?
2. What is important for me at work, and Am I experiencing fulfillment in those areas?
3. What would I like to experience more of at work?
4. What do I appreciate in my role models at work?
5. What could make my work more fulfilling? Is anything missing?
Our answers to these questions can help us discover what truly matters to us-and whether we are experiencing it fully.
