Video Transcription
VALUES: What matters most to you?
Values: Understanding What Drives Us
Ever see something online or overhear a conversation at the bus stop that just doesn’t sit right with you? That feeling—that internal alarm—is often tied to your values, the beliefs and opinions that shape how you view the world.
Values can be a bit of a big concept to grasp, but they’re not just things we’re passionate about. They give us meaning and purpose. Things like fun, originality, freedom, or faith might resonate with you.
What Shapes Our Values?
Our family, culture, and life experiences all play a role in shaping what matters most to us. For example, someone might value justice and community, while another might prioritize adventure and hard work.
But values aren’t fixed—they can evolve over time, and sometimes they might differ from those of our family or community. While this can feel challenging, it’s also a huge part of figuring out who we are.
Navigating Differences in Values
Here’s the good news: you can have close relationships with people who hold very different values from your own. For instance, one of us loves pineapple on pizza (controversial, we know), while the other hates it. Compromises, like half-and-half pizzas, can save the day!
But when it comes to deeper, more fundamental differences, things can get tricky. It’s important to stay respectful and open, even when disagreements arise.
Taking Action on Your Values
Hot Tip 1: Reflect on Your Values
Ask yourself these questions:
- What am I most passionate about?
- What qualities and behaviors do I admire in others?
- In one or two words, how would I describe the person I aspire to be?
Your answers can help clarify what your core values are and guide your decisions and priorities.
Hot Tip 2: Embrace Differences
Having a constructive conversation with someone whose values differ from yours can be tough, but it’s also an opportunity to learn about their experiences and perspectives. And while some differences may feel insurmountable, recognizing where they come from—different upbringings, life challenges, or cultures—can help you respect them as a person.
Hot Tip 3: Learn from Mistakes
We’ve all had moments where our actions didn’t align with our values. Instead of beating yourself up, use those experiences as lessons to better live out your values moving forward.
The Bottom Line
Recognizing the values that drive you is key to understanding yourself. And while differences in values aren’t always easy to navigate, they don’t have to be dealbreakers—well, except for pineapple on pizza. That’s just wrong.
Video by Project Rockit