Tuning Into Our Values - Streamlining Our Success

Special points of interest:

> When what we hold dear isn't reflected in our lives, we find ourselves swimming against the current.

> When we take the time to stop, we hear the clarity of our values- or the music of our lives.

> When you can hear the music, you can dance to your own life.

> Do you know what your values are?

Volume 1, Issue 2

August, 2001

Beyond Success Newsletter

Tuning Into Our Values -- Streamlining Our Success

by Trish Pratt

Decisions... decisions... We make them everyday. Some are life-changing and require deep contemplation--maybe keeping us "on the fence" for weeks, or months, and yes, sometimes even years. And then some of our decisions have become routine, requiring little to no thought and have only small consequences. We make our decisions based on what we want and what we need. And underneath those decisions, backing up every choice we make, lie our basic beliefs about the world and the things we hold most dear to us--otherwise known as our "values."

"Values" by definition are what we "rate in usefulness, importance, or general worth." When we are clear about what our values are and the priority we want to give them in our lives, our values can support us in our decisions as they guide us in living according to what we hold to be most important. On the other hand, when what we hold to be most dear isn't reflected in our lives, we often create resistance for ourselves. Rather than being in our "slipstream," feeling good about our decisions, we find ourselves swimming against the current. This resistance can show up in us as feelings of discontentment, indecision, a struggle with integrity, or simply a feeling of being grounded and confident about our decisions.

When our lives are too busy, we can lose touch with our values. Our attention can get diverted to our day-to-day stresses and our lives become like a radio channel that has gone slightly "off station." We know the music is there, but we can't quite take the time to make the necessary adjustments to tune into the station. We might complain about the static, but can't adjust the tuner until we take the time to stop. And when we take that time, we hear the clarity of our values- or the music of our lives.

How Being In Touch With Our Values Is Like Listening To Our Favorite Radio Station

When we are too busy, our lives become filled with "static." Our energy pattern becomes one of having too much going on--too many signals. We can't attain the clarity we're looking for and so we, to borrow from Mick Jagger, "Can't get no satisfaction."

When we are too busy, we don't take the time to adjust the dial so that we can hear what we need to hear. In business as well as everyday life, many of us find it difficult to take the time we need to tune in to our inner thoughts or feelings and therefore to even be in-tune with what our values are. We continue to make decisions but without full use of our own inner guidance system.

When we slow down and connect with ourselves we can tune into our values like we can tune into our favorite song. And our values will guide us to decisions that make us feel whole, satisfied and content.

When you can hear the music, you can dance to your own life. You can be who you really are, ask for what you need, and so begin to think about what you really want--what would mean the most to you.

When our lives are in harmony with our values, we can dare to make decisions that put us into our real power. We can choose not only what sounds good to us, but what brings us the most satisfaction and meaning--the kind of music we treasure. These are the decisions that make us feel good--the decisions that empower us.

What are your values? Are they being reflected in your decisions? For those of you who'd like to check in with yourself regarding values, I have posted a values list on my website and invite you to take the "Values Challenge." Of course, it's not about being right or wrong, but rather about listening to the music!

Thanks to all of you who took the time to send in feedback on our first issue. It felt great to get this project off the ground and the positive feedback only adds to my enthusiasm.
- Trish

~~~~~~~~~~<<<<<<<>>>>>>>~~~~~~~~~~~

About Trish

Trish Pratt is a professional certified coach and consultant. She is also a certified PaperRoom coach trained in pattern recognition (see www.momentumcoaching.com/paperroom.html for more details). Trish helps managers and other professionals bring their best clarity, communication and leadership to their work. She does this with one-on-one coaching, training/workshops, and through articles she writes. Contact Trish today for a complimentary consultation at: 978-635-0603 or via email at: trish@momentumcoaching.com.

Subscribe/Unsubscribe

Beyond Success is written and produced by Trish Pratt. Please send any feedback, suggestions or coaching questions to trish@momentumcoaching.com. If you have friends, family, co-workers or neighbors who might be interested in receiving this newsletter, please let us know. Your friendship and referrals are most appreciated!

Anyone can subscribe to the Beyond Success Newsletter, by sending an email
To: Success-request@momentumcoaching.com
Subject: subscribe (To unsubscribe - Subject: unsubscribe)

Thank you for reading this issue of the Momentum Coaching Beyond Success Newsletter. This newsletter is a free email publication from MomentumCoaching.com.

Legal Notice

"The PaperRoom" is a trademark of Boston Coaching Company. Trish is a certified, licensed PaperRoom coach. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute this newsletter as long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting the author is attached.