The Heart of Flourish: Core Values

A subject that comes up pretty frequently in my classes—especially those around personal empowerment—is that of core values. Core values, to put it simply, are fundamental beliefs. These beliefs guide the actions of a person or organization, whether it is done consciously or unconsciously. Although we are guided by these values whether we know it or not, identifying those values gives us an advantage because we can then use them as a rubric to determine if we are on the right path. We can ask ourselves, “Do my actions align with my values? How so? If they are misaligned, how can I adjust? Are these truly my values, or do I feel like they should be my values?” 

Of course, I strive to practice what I preach so my business and my general approach to training are based on five specific principles that I hold dear.  

Growth  

The refusal to remain stagnant is a crucial element of development for any individual, group, or organization. Aspiring to do and become better than before is the first step on the journey to your greatness. My focus is not on faults or deficits, but on improvement. How do we make that shift? It starts with going from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, moving from “this is just how I am and how I've always done things” to “I’m ready to challenge myself to develop new skills, strengthen certain characteristics and adapt when necessary.”  

Knowledge  

The sayings are true: "When you know better, you do better" and "knowledge is power." It is so important to arm yourself with the mental tools and applicable skills to reach your goals, and I aim to help those who I train build their arsenals. So what knowledge do you need? Knowledge of self, for starters. Who are you? What do you really want? What skills do you possess and what areas could use some improvement. In addition to knowing yourself, you need to know what it takes to achieve the goals you’ve set, know the industry you’re in, and know how to develop relationships that will help instead of hindering you.  

Authenticity  

I give my full, true self to my audience in order to connect and show that I have been where they are and that we are all capable of being better than we were yesterday while still being true to ourselves. Sometimes that looks like sharing stories of times I’ve failed to follow through on what I’m training. Sometimes that comes through in the form of empathy and relating to where they are. Sometimes it is simply admitting that even though I’m the “expert” in the room, I don’t have all the answers and that it’s okay to find the solution that works for them and their specific situation. 

Creativity  

There is no "one size fits all" method to success or happiness (or training, for that matter). A willingness to think in visionary new ways is often the key to unlocking your potential and your dreams. As I work with clients, I aim to help them rethink how they approach learning, their success, and their careers. What does it look like to create the life you want? The great thing is that even though there is a ton of advice out there, we have the freedom to create and follow our own path. Your creativity can help you display your uniqueness and differentiate yourself from the crowd.  

Passion  

When people are truly passionate about what they do and who they are, obstacles do not deter them. Passion fuels my action! I absolutely love it when someone says, “I never looked at it that way,” or comes up to me after a class and says, “You’ve inspired me to do something I’ve always wanted to do but was too nervous to start!” And I want you to discover how your passion can push you forward. While passion alone won’t keep you going (you have to couple it with discipline), it makes the work worthwhile. 

Now it is your turn. If you’ve never considered your core values, this is a great opportunity to do that! Perhaps you are a business owner who has only focused on the product or service you provide but not really the driving motivation behind it. You can start by identifying those values which will, in turn, help you tell your story to your target audience—potential customers and prospective employees. If your values are already clearly stated, be sure to regularly revisit them to determine how you are living up to them and if they are still relevant. 

Not a business owner? Recognizing those core values is still beneficial, especially in times of change like our current reality. Whether you are currently job hunting, debating striking out on your own, or navigating our new norm of working during a pandemic, knowing what matters most to you can help guide you. As you apply to jobs, you can get a better feel as to whether that company and position are right for you by comparing their values to yours. Or you can confirm for yourself whether your current role is in line with who you are and what you want. If it is, wonderful! If not, consider what changes need to be made. Being in tune and in line with your core values is not only going to help you be more successful, but happier too.