It’s a big question, and one that only you can answer. It’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life that we stop giving time to the things we really want to be doing. We get stuck on shoulds and somedays. What if you reconnected to the life you want to live right now?
Living the life you want means reconnecting with your values. It means daring to dream and share what you really want, even if it goes against the grain of society or even your family.
We are changing seasons, and I find this a really natural point to pause and reconnect with my values—and strive to redirect my actions to align with them.
How do you do this? Here’s what I find is helpful:
Put the Life You Really Want on Paper
So what does the life you want look like? Take some time to think or write about that. Write about what you’d like to do, how you’d like life to feel, what you want to stop doing. Don’t write what you think you’re supposed to want or do. Don’t worry about whether it’s practical or even possible. Just let your heart out on paper.
Think about things like:
- Where you are living (get really specific if you want)
- Who is with you
- What you do for the bulk of your day
- How you spend your free time
- What do you enjoy
Think about when you feel most “you,” most comfortable and in flow, most excited. Write it all down.
Get Clear on Your Values
The life you want can give you clues to your values. What you want in your life tells you a lot about what’s important to you. What values do you recognize in your ideal life?
Take time to identify and prioritize your values. Start by listing 10 values that resonate with you (check out this values list). Write out a belief statement for each. Then order them from 1–10. For more tips, go through this values exercise.
Live Your Values
When you are really clear on values, they are a powerful guide. They can help you set goals that fit with what’s important to you know and to what you want your legacy to be.
Values guide you in making decisions. Look to your values to decide:
- What activities to say yes to
- How many scheduled activities you participate in
- Where you will donate time or money
- Whether you go back to school, take a new job, or make another big change
- How you will contribute to your community or your child’s school this year
- How you educate your child
- What you do with your weekends or other free time
- How you celebrate the holidays
Our values are guides all year round. Even though we think of values as core parts of ourselves, they can and do change or shift in priority. That’s why reconnecting with your values regularly is important (I like to do it every 90 days or at least every six months). We’re in a transition phase right now, which makes it a great time to reconnect and realign with your values.
Get started by journaling about the life you want to be living now and your dreams for the future.
Excited about the idea of creating a more meaningful life? Download my free guide, 3 Steps to Having a Meaningful Life You Love to start designing your best life with these values in mind —a life with more energy, engagement, and clarity.
What’s one thing you will do this fall to be aligned with your values?