Wouldn’t it be good if you could get to a place where you can live with and accept any consequences of the decisions that you make? Even if they are minor decisions. Well, you can.
We all have values. Values are the guiding principles of our lives. If you work out your top 5 values from a list of values, then you are part of the way along to making better decisions. Firstly rate each value on the list from 1 to 10 where 10 is the most important and 1 the least. Then find your top 5. It might be difficult to narrow them down, but try just the same.
When you have your list of values, then decision making becomes easier. At each juncture, when you need to make a decision, then you can ask yourself, “Are my values supported by this decision?” If the most important values are supported by the decision then go ahead. If they are not, then perhaps you need to decide against it.
Again, a similar process can be engaged in if you have set a goal and are in the process of achieving it. Let’s say that you have a goal of saving up to buy a house. You have a separate bank account set up and you are managing to put aside some money every pay day. If friends ask you out, and you know from past experience that nights out with them tend to be expensive, then you might ask yourself, “Does going out tonight support my goal of a house?” It would come down to the decision about whether you want a house sooner or later. You still might go out, but you will know that you won’t be able to save as much this pay day.
The values that we have tend to be aligned to the goals that we set. So if you have set a goal, see what values are associated with the goal. Then it should be a matter of meeting both your values and goals when you are in the process of making decisions. If you ask yourself these questions, then you will be able to live with the consequences of your decisions. And you are much less likely to regret anything.
If you would like a list of values, email me and I will send one to you.