Your core values are the source of your passion and purpose.

When you are connected to and acting from core values, you are energized, passionately engaged, and able to act with power and integrity. When you are disconnected from those core values your vitality evaporates, decision making is confused, and work frustrating.

When you’re not connected to your core values, or struggling to express them, you’ll tend to feel depleted, demoralized, de-energized.

The poet David Whyte captures the experience of being disconnected from core values when he writes:

When your eyes are tired

the world is tired also

In terms of core values, one could paraphrase and say that when you’re disconnected from the source of passion and purpose within you, life becomes stale, bland, and aimless.

Knowing your core values does not eliminate the inevitable challenges or changes of life, nor ensure a smooth ride.

But it will provide you with one element of your living inner compass for staying on track during challenging times and for making wise choices that promote high performance and high fulfillment.

So, turning inward to connect to core values is essential is you’re to bring forth your gifts and experience the fulfillment that comes from making your full contribution to life.

Questions for Reflection & Action:

What are your core values?

What does it mean for you to express them fully and authentically in your work?

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