🧭 1. Values as Behavioral Anchors

Values translate into consistent actions, especially when life gets messy:

• Example (Integrity):
  • What it looks like: Returning a lost wallet with cash intact, even when no one is watching. At work, it’s admitting your mistake in a team report rather than blaming others.
  • Why it motivates: Aligning actions with morals reduces internal conflict, freeing energy for meaningful goals.
• Example (Compassion):
  • What it looks like: Noticing a colleague’s stress and offering to take one task off their plate. At home, it’s listening without interrupting when a friend shares how she is frustrated with her kids.
  • Why it motivates: Creates emotional safety, making challenges feel less isolating 6.

⚖️ 2. Values as Decision-Making Filters

When you’re unsure what to do, values cut through the noise:

• Example (Growth vs. Security):
  • Growth: Taking a pay cut for a job that offers skill development. Saying “yes” to a public speaking opportunity despite fear.
  • Security: Choosing a stable job over a risky startup. Saving 20% of your paycheck for emergencies.
  • The clash: Growth pushes you toward discomfort; security pulls you toward stability. Recognizing this tension explains why you feel stuck.
• Example (Authenticity):
  • What it looks like: Turning down a social event to recharge alone instead of faking enthusiasm. Sharing an unconventional idea in a meeting despite skepticism.
  • Why it motivates: Reduces the exhaustion of people-pleasing.

💖 3. Values as Emotional Signals

Your emotions often reveal whether you’re honoring or betraying a value:

• Resentment → Signals a value is being violated:
  • Example: You feel bitter covering a coworker’s tasks repeatedly. Hidden value: Fairness or Boundaries.
• Joy → Signals a value is being honored:
  • Example: You light up when teaching a friend your hobby. Hidden value: Community or Knowledge Sharing 7.

🔍 4. Values in Mundane Moments

Values don’t just guide big leaps—they shape small, daily rituals:

Value	What It Looks Like (Daily Action)	What It’s NOT
Gratitude	Texting a “thank you” for no reason.	Forcing a journal entry.
Courage	Asking a “dumb” question in a meeting.	Avoiding all risk.
Curiosity	Googling how something works after a movie.	Scrolling mindlessly.

🌱 5. When Values Clash (and How to Spot It)

Feeling paralyzed often stems from conflicting values:

• Scenario: You dream of starting business (Adventure), but fear financial instability (Security).
• The stuckness isn’t laziness—it’s values negotiation. Solution: Test tiny experiments (e.g., a side hustle) to honor both 8.

❓ “Is This Really My Value?” Checklist

A value isn’t just what you admire—it’s what you consistently act on. Ask:

1. Does this guide my behavior even when inconvenient?
2. Do I feel proud/grounded when honoring it?
3. Does violating it cause guilt or unease? 7

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Reflection Exercise: Spot Values in Your Week

Look back at the past 7 days:

1. Peak Moment: When did you feel most alive? What value was present? (e.g., Helping a neighbor move → Community).
2. Guilt Trigger: When did resentment/shame surface? What value was ignored? (e.g., Skipping workout → Health).

💡 Key Insight: Values aren’t about being “perfect.” They’re about recognizing what makes you feel whole—and nudging your choices 1% closer to them. When actions align with values, motivation isn’t forced; it flows 168.

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Next in The Unstuck Series: Part 2: The Gentle Art of Building Momentum (When Motivation Won’t Show Up)

✨ Your Turn: Pick one moment this week where you felt deeply satisfied or deeply frustrated.

Ask: “What value was at play here?” Name it. Then, do one tiny thing to honor it tomorrow.