Are You Living An Authentic Life?
Have you ever experienced a moment that completely turned your world upside down? I certainly did during my experience working at Samsung. This pivotal experience played a significant role in reshaping both my career and my life as a whole.
My experience started when my coach guided me through the process of rating a list of values based on their significance to me and my level of alignment with each. At the same time, my colleagues had the opportunity to assess what they perceived as my most important values.
‘This can’t be right’ was my initial reaction upon seeing the results. My colleagues’ perceptions of my values were nearly the opposite of how I ranked them. How could that be? In hindsight, the answer seems obvious. I was not living my life in a way that was true to my core values.
Given how hard I was working, my colleagues saw my top priorities as money, power, and influence. They ranked family and health as some of my bottom values, given I was working and traveling so much, not taking care of myself and rarely present for my family. After business school, I decided to pursue marketing over Wall Street specifically so I could live a more balanced life. I needed this wakeup call to help me open my eyes to my reality.
Self-awareness, as I learned, is key. It's the foundation upon which we build a life that resonates with our deepest values. But once we've identified this misalignment, what's the next step?
For many of my clients, this realization can be both liberating and daunting. Liberating because it opens the door to intentional change; daunting because the path forward may seem unclear.
So, where do we go from here? How do we bridge the gap between our values and our actions to create a life that truly reflects who we are? Let's explore some strategies together.
1. Clarify Your Values: Take the time to clearly define what matters most to you. Reflect on your beliefs, principles, and what brings you fulfillment.
2. Assess Your Current Situation: Evaluate how well your current behaviors align with your identified values. Be honest with yourself about where there may be discrepancies.
3. Set Intentions: Set goals that reflect your values. This could involve making small changes in your daily habits or larger shifts in your career or personal life.
4. Practice Mindfulness: Cultivate mindfulness in your daily life to increase self-awareness and stay aligned with your values. Regularly check in with yourself to ensure your actions are in line with your intentions.
5. Create Accountability: Share your values and goals with trusted friends, family members, or a coach. Having external accountability can help you stay committed to living in alignment with your values.
6. Make Decisions Consciously: When faced with decisions, consider how each option aligns with your values. Choose courses of action that feel authentic and true to who you are.
7. Reflect and Adjust: Regularly reflect on your progress and adjust as needed. Recognize that living in alignment with your values is an ongoing journey, and it's okay to course-correct along the way.
8. Seek Support: Surround yourself with a supportive community who shares your values or seek guidance from a coach or mentor who can help you navigate challenges and stay on track.
By implementing these strategies, you can begin to bridge the gap between your values and actions, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and authentic life.
