You can absolutely reevaluate your values, about anything, any time in your life! I recommend you do so regularly. It will help you to assess if you are living your life aligned within your integrity.
In fact, many people have shifted their perspective on values over the past two years. Scores of folks have quit their jobs to find ones that are more flexible and enable them to continue working from home. Others took the time to start new careers, or move to new cities that hold their ideological beliefs.
Covid-19 highlighted that everyone has their own inner value system! Take the value of Conservation for example. Some people value conserving commitment to tradition and social expectations (remaining to have in-person school, proms, weddings, and work) while others value conserving security, safety, and health ( isolate to protect the community) more.
Figuring out your values and reevaluating them will help you live your best life.
So, how do you do that? You start with defining your values.
1) When were you the happiest, proud, satisfied and fulfilled in your life? (What about those times and experiences gave you meaning and purpose?
2) Try to identify 5-10 values.
3) Rank your values! Ask yourself if you could only be true to one value which one would it be. That one will be your number one value. Continue onward until you have ranked your top 5-10.
4) Reassess. Ask yourself if your current life is in alignment with your values.
5) Problem Solve: Values can feel too large to grasp and overwhelming. If you identify values that are not in alignment with your life, use SMART goals to develop a plan and get your life on track:
What are SMART goals? Here is an example of how SMART goals can help you create a plan.
S: Specific
Be specific with your goal.
I want to be more compassionate (Identified Value) and understanding as a person.
M: Measurable
Make sure you can measure the achievement of your goal.
I will take The Compassion Scale (CS) to see where I score.
A: Achievable
List how you will achieve the goal. ie what will you do?
I will work on three areas of the test that I score lowest in daily for one month.
1) I will practice deep listening when others talk to me about their troubles.
2) When others feel sad, I will acknowledge their feelings and offer comfort.
3)I will remind myself that despite my differences with others, we all feel the same pain and emotions.
R: Relevant
How will what you are going to work on help you achieve your goal?
Practicing these three things will help me to be a more compassionate person and make sure I am living my life in alignment with the value of Compassion.
T: Time-bound
State a time/date when you will have it done.
I will retake The Compassion Scale (CS) in one month to assess my growth.
Remember, you can absolutely reevaluate your values, about anything, any time in your life! If you feel overwhelmed and unsure if you are living life according to your values a therapist at Niyyah can help you. Reach out today for a free 15-minute consultation!