I have a hunch that defining our personal values is key to helping us discover what is truly important to us and who we are.
In thinking about your own writing, it might be helpful to reflect on your life and remember the times when you were happiest. What were you doing? Who were you with?
Then think about when you felt proud. Why was that and who shared this with you?
And finally, think about when you felt most fulfilled and satisfied. Think about what need or desire was satisfied. How and why did this give your life meaning? What other factors contributed to your sense of fulfillment?
It could be useful to source a list of common personal values and work through these to find your top 10. Not an easy task but worthwhile nevertheless!
Aim to prioritise your top values by comparing the first two in your list. Ask yourself, ‘If I could satisfy just one of these, which one would I choose?’ Then, move through your list in the same way until you achieve the order that is right for you and is a good fit for your life and your writing.
A final challenge:
· Do your values make you feel good about yourself?
· Are you proud of your top three values?
· Would you be proud to share these with others?
· Would you be prepared to hold these values even if there’s a cost or you are not popular as a result?
I hope that you will find this a powerful exercise – for your living and your writing.
