Decisions and values

I've been noticing a rather amusing pattern lately: I launch my trainings, only to find myself tweaking the names and descriptions shortly after. It seems I might be a better educator than a namer! It's a running joke now.

I've got some exciting new training programs in the pipeline, focusing on boundaries and emotional intelligence. If you have any brilliant name ideas, please, send them my way! Otherwise, brace yourselves for the launch and the inevitable name-changing saga that follows. 😂 😂 😂

This week politics has presented some stark contrasts. I was deeply shocked by the way Zelensky was treated at the White House. The focus on his appearance (no suit), the criticism that he hadn't said "thank you" (which he had), and the apparent lack of opportunity for him to speak or answer questions felt like a very low move.

With that in mind, it was genuinely surprising to see Trump publicly admit he made a mistake with taxes. Regardless of my personal feelings, it's rare to see public figures acknowledge errors, and I believe that's a significant moment. I could easily imagine him stubbornly sticking to his previous decision, forcing end-users to pay the price for his miscalculations. But he didn't. The weight of his mistake will not be carried by the general public.

The bedrock of our decisions and actions, shaping who we are and how we navigate the world, are values. They guide us, provide meaning, and help us stay true to ourselves. It’s why understanding and clarifying them is so crucial.

My training naming "disaster" is not a public event, but I can imagine some people would feel embarrassed to change a name shortly after launch. Not for me. I have very low resistance to admitting mistakes or miscalculations. System thinking and "fail forward" are far more important to me than being right and "keeping face."

It’s also important to remember that our values are not static. They evolve as we do. Our understanding of what a value means can deepen and change over time. For example, the concept of "freedom" in your 20s can be vastly different from how you perceive it in your 30s, 40s, or 50s. It might transform into "self-authority" or "independence," or other values like "fairness" and "diversity" might take precedence. My freedom, for instance, is not more important than your right to have a seat at the table.

I suggest reevaluating your values at least every six months. It’s a powerful way to ensure you're living in alignment with what truly matters to you now.

To help you with this, I want to share a great resource from Brené Brown.

Download her PDF on values and listen to her podcast episode where she walks through the exercise.
Or, if you'd like personalized guidance, book a single coaching session with me.

Embrace the ugly beauty of your growth, and seek the feedback others hide.

Categories: : mindset