When something is a YES or NO, making decisions is a snap!
If I asked you what your business values were, what would you say?
If I would hear crickets, it’s okay. Many of us don’t think about our values on a daily basis but they are operating in our lives whether we acknowledge them or not.
If you’ve ever made a statement like “I will never…” you were asserting a value. You were making a choice about what was best for you.
Values highlight what we stand for. They become a guide for you. A way for you to check-in with yourself so that you know that you’re on the right track. You won’t have to keep questioning yourself or changing your plans. It’s either in support of your values or it’s not. It’s either a good fit for you or it’s not.
Let’s take a look at possible values you could choose for your business.
Seeing this list of values might be overwhelming. This is actually the tip of the iceberg. Click here to download a PDF with an entire page full.
Don’t worry about all the choices. You don’t need many business values. In fact having too many makes it confusing.
I recommend you only have three.
Why three? It’s a number you can actually remember and it forces you to think long and hard about what’s REALLY important to you. What is REALLY going to make a difference in your life. What feels right — deep down — and always will be.
Values are not supposed to change constantly. They are a mandate — not a suggestion.
I want to give you permission to choose values that are honest and important to you. They can NEVER be selfish.
It’s your business. At the end of the day, it has to work for YOU.
Now that I have my values decided it is very easy for me to see if my business is on track or not. I use my values as a way to have regular check-ins especially when I’m making changes.
This is why it’s important for you to turn your values into a question.
Example time
Let’s say that your chosen business values are authenticity, connection and fun. As they stand, you can’t answer YES or NO. Let’s use the following formula to change that.
For my business, will doing this be authentic?
For my business, will it allow me to create connections?
For my business, will doing this keep things fun?
The goal is for the questions to still resonate. We want them to get to the heart of what matters to you so your values can help guide your decisions. You can finally have clarity.
Otherwise, it’s like cooking with your hands tied behind your back. Sure, the ingredients are on the counter, but if you can’t get to them. If you can’t actually mix it all together, you don’t have anything at all.
You have an idea.
You can’t eat an idea. And you can’t cash one either.
So start the process today. Get clarity one step at a time so you can build the version of your business that you can have today. Remember, no matter where you are on the journey, you’re ready to begin.
Having trouble turning your values into a question? Reach out to us. We’re happy to help.
