Values

I lived a large part of my life without defining any core values for myself. At age 34, it's only been a couple of years since I've studies what they are and created a set of values to live by.

I've realized that values are crucial to personal growth because we base every single decision on our values and beliefs. A core value is an emotional state or character trait we desire to live and be. Peace is an emotional state value. Courage is a character trait value.

What's interesting is I've actually lived my whole life by a set of values, but they were at a lower conscious level. I never examined them. I never stopped and asked myself "what emotional states and character traits matter the most to me?" I just allowed my deeper conscious level to develop them for me over the years.

Most people do this. They don't realize they live each day by a set of values that their inward mind has created without them being conscious of it. But when a person pauses, examines and tweaks their core values and beliefs, that is the highest level of human intellect and personal growth.

In his book "Awaken the Giant Within" Tony Robbins says that all decisions we make are based on our values and beliefs. Whatever conscious or unconscious values you have, you will always choose which path to take in life based on them. Why is this important to consider? Because the destination of your life is determined by your values and your beliefs. Whatever goals and success you achieve will be determined by your values. Likewise, whatever failures and defeats you experience will also be based on your values.

This is the key insight to personal growth - the success of your life is determined by who you choose to become. It's not based on what events or good fortunes fall into your lap, or whether you were passed up for good opportunity and are a victim. You may begin your life journey in a pile of rubble, but you and only you can choose to become a different person and walk away from that rubble. You may also start you life rich and privileged and end up wasting it all away. The outcome of your life is determined by who you choose to be. And who you choose to be starts with your core values and beliefs.

What kind of values should you create for yourself? Are there good or bad ones?