In this world of constant hustle and bustle, we often find ourselves stuck between multiple directions. We can either choose to live in alignment with our core values and offer our authentic selves to the world. Or we can choose to portray to the world somebody that we are not and be okay with the haunting feeling of being an imposter. It can be so difficult to connect with your authentic self when a thousand voices echo in your mind all day; different versions of the right choices clouding your judgement because you haven’t spent enough time figuring out your own voice.
Of late, I’ve been putting all my heart and soul into pursuing my core values and living a purposeful life that truly reflects my inner desires. In case you didn’t know, I’ve always had this inclination to prioritize making others happy, and it took me quite a long time to break free from that pattern and begin to blossom into the authentic version of myself. By taking small but meaningful steps towards living authentically, I’ve experienced some remarkable breakthroughs that have allowed me to savor every single moment to its fullest, even while facing some ongoing challenges that I’m gradually overcoming. Right now, I’m actively making a career transition by taking concrete actions instead of simply dwelling on frustrations, and I’m beyond thrilled to share that my own book of poetry is set for publication in May 2024. It’s an incredibly exciting journey that I’m embarking on, and I can hardly wait to share it with you.
Of late, I psyched up on pursuing my core values and living a purposeful life in alignment with what I really want. If you don’t already know, I have always had a tendency to people-please, often leaving little room for my own needs. It took me years to really break free from this pattern and start growing out of the mindset that held me back. However, I have managed to take small, miniscule steps towards a more authentic life. Currently, I am actively making a career transition and taking concrete actions rather than dwelling on frustrations. I am also thrilled to announce that I’m on my way to publishing my own book of poetry that releases in May 2024. This is an exciting journey that I am embarking on, and I cannot wait to share it with you.
I wanted to write this post to reach out and connect with others like me, who are on a journey to find alignment in their lives. I sincerely hope that by sharing practical actions for my own personality type and core values, I can inspire and encourage you to actively pursue change in your life. Together, let’s explore some real, actionable steps that we can take to live a life that is true to who we are at our core.
Something about my personality type:
Over the years, I have been consistently curious about my personality type, following through with two different tests: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Enneagram Personality Type. I have this cute, little annual tradition where I retake my personality tests to understand all the little quirks and complexities of my personality, to explore how I’ve grown and changed over time. My results on the MBTI have been pretty consistent; for over 12 years now, I’ve proudly identified as an INFJ. That label has stuck with me ever since I started exploring the world of personality tests.
On the Enneagram scale, I’m shifting between a Type 4 (The Individualist) and a Type 7 (The Enthusiast).
- Type 4s typically value individuality, authenticity, and self-expression. They often prioritize inner harmony and seek to understand their unique identity. Their pursuit of growth often revolves around personal exploration and creative expression. They may find pleasure in cultivating their inner world and expressing themselves through various art forms or creative outlets. Additionally, Type 4s may desire to influence others by sharing their unique perspectives and insights.
- Type 7s are characterized by their desire for pleasure, variety, and excitement. They often seek growth through new experiences and opportunities for exploration. While they value individuality, their focus on pleasure may lead them to pursue a wider range of interests and experiences. Type 7s may influence others by inspiring enthusiasm and optimism, encouraging them to embrace life’s joys and possibilities.
There are so many personal values out there that can perfectly match up with who we are as individuals. We’re talking over 60 different values to choose from! Now, here’s the thing. As much as I’d love to dive into each of these values here, it’s just not realistic. There are too many to cover in one go. Instead, I’m going to lay out 5 action-packed steps for each of my top 5 core values. And if you’re somebody like me (or my personality type), then you’re definitely going to want to stick around to find out how we can live a life that’s totally in tune with our most important values.
Let’s go!
1. Inner Harmony
- Designate specific times during the day when you disconnect from screens and engage in activities that nourish your soul, such as spending time outdoors, engaging in hobbies, or connecting with loved ones face-to-face.
- Establish a relaxation routine before bed to unwind. This could include taking a warm bath, some gentle stretching, listening to soothing music, doing some skin-care or reading a book.
- Set aside dedicated time each day or week to journal about your thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
- Incorporate regular check-ins throughout your day to pause, breathe, and reflect on your current state of mind and body.
- Be honest with communicating your needs, preferences, and restrictions to others in order to establish boundaries.
- Practice the ability to say no to commitments that go against your interests, values, or general well-being.
- Decide on a consequence for instances when you allow somebody to violate your boundaries and sincerely enforce it.
- Focus on your breathing for a few minutes every day.
- Make use of your daily stroll to concentrate on the feelings of your feet hitting the ground and the way your body moves.
2. Personal Growth
- Make a commitment to lifelong learning by taking up new courses, learning new skills, or pursuing further education.
- Attend workshops, read books, take online courses, or seek mentorship to expand your knowledge and expertise.
- Go beyond your comfort zone, take on challenges, and value the life lessons that come from overcoming hardship. It may make for a good novel, you never know.
- Take time to regularly reflect on your experiences, accomplishments, and failures in order to identify your areas of strength and growth.
- Honor your accomplishments, no matter how little, and be kind and compassionate to yourself while facing difficulties.
- Develop healthy behaviors that promote your mental, physical, and emotional well-being, such as mindfulness exercises, frequent exercise, a balanced diet, and enough sleep.
- Take the first step, and then keep moving forward.
3. Pleasure
- Make time in your schedule for activities that bring you genuine joy and excitement. Engage in hobbies that light up your soul.
- Don’t forget to schedule regular breaks in your routine to pamper yourself and recharge your batteries. Use a spa day, read a book you love, or simply take a peaceful walk in nature.
- Make sure to spend time outdoors and connect with the natural world around you. Take a hike in the mountains, a peaceful walk on the beach, or simply sit in the local park for a few minutes.
- Take the time to slow down and appreciate the food you have – enjoy the flavors, textures, and nourishment that your food provides.
- Allow yourself to be playful and lighthearted. Engage in activities that spark joy and bring laughter to your heart. Play with your pets, goof around with friends, try out a new sport or game – let your inner child come out and have some fun!
- Spend quality time with family and friends who uplift and energize you.
- Engage in meaningful conversations, share laughter and experiences, and cherish the connections that bring warmth and joy to your heart.
- Don’t be afraid to explore new experiences. Try a new cuisine, travel to a different destination, or attend a cultural event.
4. Uniqueness
- Share your expertise or knowledge in specific areas with others, whether it’s through writing, teaching, or hosting workshops.
- Express your creativity by creating original art, music, or writing that reflects your unique perspective.
- Embrace what sets you apart, whether it’s your humor, unconventional interests, or distinct personality traits.
- Question societal norms and challenge expectations that don’t align with your values.
- Speak up and share your opinions, even if they differ from the norm.
- Connect with people who appreciate your individuality and celebrate diversity.
- Surround yourself with supportive individuals who encourage you to be yourself.
- Explore new experiences that allow you to express your uniqueness, whether it’s through travel, creative projects, or unconventional career paths.
Influence
- Show others the values and behaviors you believe in by living them out in your own daily life.
- Listen carefully and sincerely to what others have to say, understanding their perspectives and worries.
- Be someone who uplifts and supports the people you come across, offering them words of encouragement and a helping hand.
- When providing feedback, do so kindly and constructively, aiming to help others develop and learn.
- Inspire those around you by painting a picture of an exciting future, motivating them to join you in pursuing shared dreams and ambitions.
- Guide others towards finding significance and direction in their actions by connecting them with larger causes and visions.
- Build meaningful connections and diverse networks by nurturing relationships with people from all walks of life.
Your values can often be in conflict with others and it’s something you should totally anticipate, given that we’re all individuals and think differently. But here’s what you can do if your values are non-agreeable or in conflict with somebody important to you. Take some time to reflect on the fact that the person opposite you is also acting out of their personal values, that’s something that can be important to them. Listen to them with empathy and try to understand their perspective instead of being dismissive. Look for a mutual ground that you can both agree on, where your values are not threatened by each other.
Reading List to Explore More about Values:
- How to Find, Define, and Use Your Values by Harvard Business Review
- Why Core Values Matter (And How To Get Your Team Excited About Them) by Forbes
- What Are Core Values? How To Find Yours by Mindbodygreen
- Rethinking the Value of Core Values by Forbes
Resources for Personality and Value Assessment:
Now, I’ve got some exciting news to share with you! I’ve been working on something really special, and I can’t wait to spill the beans…
Get ready to dive into the world of poetry with my upcoming book, “Echoes of Existence”, hitting shelves in May 2024. It’s filled with heartfelt poems inspired by real-life experiences and emotions that we all can relate to (including poems on work-life balance, woohoo).
As we get closer to the big reveal, stay tuned for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes stories, and updates about bringing this book to life. So, mark your calendars and spread the word!
Until next time,
Ri @ Readably Yours
