The Power of Personal Values

A value is a belief, a mission, or a philosophy that is really meaningful to a person. Whether we are consciously aware of them or not, every individual has a number of personal values. Values can range from the commonplace, such as the belief in hard work, self-reliance, and  punctuality, to the more psychological values, such as concern for others, trust in others, and harmony of purpose.

When we examine the lives of famous people we often learn of the important personal values that guided their lives. On closer examination we come to realize that it was often these personal values that were propelled them to great success and achievement. For example, a famous actor was motivated by his commitment to social justice leading to important acting roles related to that value, while a famous business CEO was motivated by the personal value that computers should be easy to use by the average person. Whatever the personal values were, it was ultimately their commitment and follow-through to see that the value was implemented in their lives in some fashion led to their great success.

Just as individuals subscribe to personal values so do institutions believe in a core set of values. For example, if we examine most companies closely, we would find out that one or more key business values has propelled them to their current level of success. Examples of values at businesses that were the cornerstone of their success are --  Sears and its commitment to customer trust (any product could be returned with a money back guarantee from rural areas in the 19th century), Apple Computer's and its belief in the values of ease of use and service to society (Apple created the Macintosh computer to end people's fear of the computer), and Marriott's values of systemization and standardization (which enabled it to seamlessly duplicate its standard model hotel hundreds of times across the country). Likewise in government politicians and political parties have values ranging from helping the poor, easing the burden of the middle class, environmental concerns, consensus building (unity and harmony), and many others.

The key point to keep in mind about values is that implementing personal values energizes everything and everybody involved. For an individual committing to and applying values in one's life causes life to take on a new energy and freshness, which in turn attracts great success, achievement, and joy. Likewise companies or other institutions adopting values energize the people within the organization and those the organization interacts with.

We can make a marked improvement in our own lives by either committing  to the values we already believe in or in adopting new ones. If we can identify the values we now believe in, identify all of the ways we can implement those values in our lives, make a full commitment and effort to apply those values in those areas, we are sure to make a big improvement in our lives.

To help you evaluate the current values in your life that you want to reinforce, or to discover new values that you want to adopt here is a list of some common personal values.

Calm/Quietude/Peace, Cleanliness and Orderliness, Commitment, Communication, Community, Concern for Others, Content Over Form, Continuous Improvement, Cooperation, Creativity, Customer Satisfaction, Discipline, Faith, Family Feeling, Flair, Freedom , Fun, Global View, Gratitude, Hard Work, Honesty, Innovation, Integrity, Maximum Utilization (of time and resources), Openness, Preservation, Positive Attitude, Practicality, Progress, Quality of Work Performed, Resourcefulness, Respect For The Individual, Results-Oriented, Self-Reliance, Service to the Community/Society, Simplicity, Teamwork, Truth, Tolerance, Trust

Here is a little more detailed information on some of the more interesting personal values listed above:

SIMPLICITY
In this time of great complexity and hurry there is no more important personal value than "Simplicity." Taking the time to take anything that is complex and make it a degree simpler is a very helpful skill in our times. Simplifying a work can make it not only more streamlined, but more effective, productive, leading to greater results than a complex arrangement.

-Take any important work or project in your life and come up with at least two ways to simplify it.

-Develop any half dozen ways that you can simplify your life.

HARMONY
Harmony is one of the highest personal values one can have in life. It is so noble and elevated a value that it is practically a spiritual value. Harmony is the desire for all things to work out in calm and perfection, for people to work together in collaboration, and for opposing forces to work themselves out in a higher truth (not merely a compromised truth).

-Consider situations where have witnessed or are witnessing great conflict -- among points of view, among individuals -- and think about how it can be resolved. Take a small step to feel the importance of harmony, and see if you can harmonize in your mind even one conflict.

-Make harmony a permanent personal value that you believe in and practice. Over the next few days and weeks notice points of conflict that appear in your work and life and seek to implement a higher truth, or point of view, or action in each situation that can harmonize the opposing ideas, conflicts between people, and other forms of opposition.

CONTENT OVER FORM
Consider if the real content and value of something is more important to you than its outer or surface form. For example, to accomplish in life there needs to be real substance behind the thing you are involved with. A tendency to react to the outer form and not its real value and substance prevents one from getting at the heart (i.e. the depths) of things.

It is from the depths of situations and circumstance that you find the keys to the thing. It is by turning the keys at that level that you gain mastery over life. For example, if one admires one's own social position or a reward for a thing done or accomplished at the expense of the purpose or depths of what created that reward, then you are moving away from the depths. If you are merely evaluating a person from the shallow perspective of their appearance or brief acquaintance then you are not operating from the depths. If you tend to "judge a book by its cover" you will never get to know the depths of others and life's situations. You will have less of an arsenal of information and insight to succeed and accomplish in life.

CONCERN FOR OTHERS
Perhaps the highest personal value of all is to value the personal growth and achievement of others. In fact, our research has shown that this value may be the single most important attribute of happy people. (People who give and believe in giving tend to be far happier than those who don't.)

-Consider in general how you can make concern for others a fundamental value in your life.

-Think about several people you know to whom you have been unconcerned with who might benefit from your suggestions. Consider how your input could help them grow and succeed in life. (Make sure your feelings toward them are fully positive before doing so, and also be sure they would be interested in your gestures.)

PRACTICALITY
Often people with great talent, artistic temperament, or other great creative endowments fail to achieve the level of success and happiness in life because they are not practical in their thoughts and deeds. For example, they may not be practical with money, with opportunities that come their way or in doing the things required of life to survive and thrive. In fact, we have found that impracticality is one of the dozen or two main causes of lack of achievement and happiness in life. For some people it is their number one problem.

-List two to four ways you have been impractical in life; both in the past and now. Now take an effort to change that attitude. Be brave and ask those around you for their input.

INTEGRITY, HONESTY
Sometimes people don't say what they mean to hide something, protect themselves or someone else, or simply because they are trying to deceive to gain from circumstance. Do you have any of these traits? If so. Why (i.e. where do they come from)? What can you do to overcome these tendencies?

RESULTS-ORIENTED
Some people do their work to keep busy, occupied, entertained or otherwise pass the time away. A key to success and achievement in life is to insure that the activities you are engaged leads to a constructive, useful purpose. Those who value real results from actions in life make far greater use of their time, leading to higher levels of success and achievement.

HARD WORK
It is universally agreed that hard work is one of the most important keys to success in life and work. Without it, few can really succeed.

-A person may not be hard working for a number of reasons -- their parents influence, a lack of energy, a lack of motivation, a bad experience, laziness, etc. Consider why you may not be hard working, and then make a determined effort to change the behavior. Keep up the effort over time.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
One of the most interesting values in life is one's innate desire for continuous improvement. Both individuals and organizations, such as a business, can adopt this value. For example, continuous improvement for an individual might can come in the form of a continuous urge to increase one's knowledge and skills in an area, a desire to improve one's attitudes and temperament, or a desire to do things better or get the best out of things. A company on the other hand can implement the value by continually evaluating and upgrading its procedures, the way it interacts with its customers, the way it treats its employees, and many other ways.

RESPECT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL
One of the most significant personal values is to look on every person as a special, unique individual. This form of deep respect for each person has the power of generating good will, great happiness, and great achievement.

-Every time you meet someone listen to their story and show and feel a great interest and respect. Also, see what unique perspective, knowledge, or insight they can offer. Then be totally responsive to their interests. Make this a regular daily habit in life. Ultimately, make this a value that you cherish.

 SELF-ANALYSIS:
-Think about two to five values that have shaped your life. If necessary, refer to the list above. Also think about specific ways they have benefited you in your life.

-Now review the list above and consider which one or two new values you would like to implement in your life. Now think about how you can implement them. Be very specific. Then come up with a specific action plan (using specific events, dates, etc.) to implement these values in your life. Make sure your plan has a review process down the line to evaluate how you are doing so far.

-Make your values, including, your new values, the cornerstone of your life. Contemplate them deeply and see that they fill all aspects of your life.