We all have hundreds of thoughts every day. Some of these thoughts are helpful and some not so much. Examples of unhelpful thoughts are “I am not good enough” “Why bother because I will fail”.

What if we didn’t allow ourselves to be guided by every thought that pops into our head and instead be guided by something more powerful…. our values?

What are Values?

Values are the things that matter most to us, they are not to be confused with goals but are a guide to who we want to be in this world.

Examples:

. Kindness might guide how you treat yourself and others, even when you are struggling.

. Curiosity might inspire you to keep learning and growing.

. Courage might push you to speak up or try something new despite fear.

Why be Guided by Values Instead of Unhelpful Thoughts?

Unhelpful thoughts are normal, but if we follow them blindly, they can cause us a lot of distress. They typically come form fear, doubt and old habits. When we act based on these thoughts, we might avoid important opportunities, relationships, or personal growth. Living by your values helps you stay connected to what truly matters – even when the chatter in your mind tells you otherwise. It’s about responding instead of reacting.

Real-Life Examples

Situation: You are nervous to speak up in a meeting. Your thoughts are saying “I will mess it up, people will think I don’t know what I am talking about”.

Value-led response: You value courage and contribution, so you share your ideas even if your voice shakes.

Situation: You are trying to eat healthier, but your mind tells you that “you have failed before, so why bother”

Value-led response: You value self-care and persistence and being a positive role model to your children, so you make healthier choices.

Remember:

You don’t have to wait for self-doubt to disappear, the goal isn’t to eliminate unhelpful thoughts-it’s to notice them, and choose actions based on your values instead.

Reach out and let me provide some tactics to make sure you’re living by your values.