What Compass Guides You Right Now

We can get pulled in lots of directions — work, family needs, causes we care about, the chaos in the world. Sometimes with everything pulling or pushing at us, we can get off course. 

When that happens to me, I ask myself “what do I value?” Your values are the compass that helps you set and keep your course. 

We all have our own ideas about what makes a good or meaningful life. That life is guided by your personal values. Your good life might include compassion, generosity, and beauty. It might focus on achievement, learning, and wealth. There is no right or wrong answer if you are true to yourself about your values. 

Your values actually define your “good life.” Your core values often stay pretty consistent over a lifetime, but that doesn’t mean they are static. Which values rise to the top may fluctuate. For example, I value both learning and nature. While I was in my program at Stanford with classes and deadlines and the desire to make the most of opportunities, I still made time to get outside, but I spent more time in classes and reading than usual.  

How we live a value can also change. I grew up in an apartment in New York City, and one of my most powerful memories of nature is watching the sunset through the 15th floor window with my dad. These days I hike many days in the woods or throw a ball for our dog Murphy on the beach. Nature continues to be a value throughline for me, but what it looks like is a little different. 

Let Your Values Guide Your Actions

Do you feel your values in your gut and your heart? That’s where the wisdom to choose your values lives. Are you letting your values be your compass? 

Knowing what you value and what that means to you guides you in living your life with purpose, meaning and joy.

Here are two things to try: 

• Set a Values Date. Choose one of your values. Think of one way you live that value. For example, if I value friendship, I could plan to meet a friend for lunch. If I value fitness, I could schedule time at the gym or plan a run (even invite a friend and blend the values of nature, fitness and friendship). Whatever it is, put it on your calendar. Take a look — what else on your calendar is aligned with your values? What else might you want to add or subtract. 

• Act on What Matters. What if you focus on what you really care about and act on that? What if you do something to help that specifically aligns with what matters most to you? To act on valuing nature, I could volunteer to plant trees, make a donation to a conservation organization, show up at an Open Space committee meeting, or pick up trash in the park. And I could ask a friend to join me to pick up trash or plant trees, blending friendship and nature.

Living our values gives us joy and purpose, and courage. Our top values can also help us choose where to focus our attention. Little steps collectively make a big difference in the world. What small steps would you like to take now? How could you align those steps with your values?

I’ve been working with the value of persistence recently. I know that if I focus on my values, I can do the hard things. And you can too.

P.S. If you are not sure about what Values you want to embrace now, you can find a list here.

3 Steps to Having a Meaningful Life You Love

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