Values are important in our lives but you probably don’t think about them much.

They are the guiding principles by which you live your life, give you purpose and affect your beliefs, attitude and behaviour and the decisions you make.

Your needs and desires and are created from who you are as a person and those around you - your parents, friends, partner and social groups, as well as those you work with.

Find yours by asking:

• What do you enjoy most in life?
• Where and when do you feel most happy, content, comfortable?
• Who or what is important to you?
• When have you felt under pressure, stressed, in conflict?

Your core values tend to remain the same, while some will change over time.

Compromise your values and it creates stress, overwhelm and conflict on an emotional and physical level.

Values at work

Organisations and businesses often have values by which they operate to be successful in the way they do business and how they behave in a professional environment.

Many businesses understand the benefits of focusing on their employees and their wellbeing.

How does the business you work for or the work you do match your values?

Balance the need for hard work with taking time out to enjoy what’s important to you.

Values create self-respect but if they're ignored or not met, speak up and be clear about what you want and need.

They help you make decisions. Knowing the impact opportunities or options will have and how they fit makes it easier to choose.

Values such as communication, respect, achievement, recognition, support, growth, security.

Positive shared values keep you motivated, focused and give you a sense of purpose.

When they're not met, dissatisfaction and frustration build up unless you’re prepared to compromise, find a balance or make a change.

Values in life

They help you to grow and develop in your relationships with friends and family.

Values such as honesty, integrity, loyalty, family, health, community.

Connect with them to make better decisions about what’s important and where to spend your time.

Other people’s values may be very different from yours or they may be the same.

They’ll behave in a different way or make different decisions based on their values or how they choose to practice them.

However, understand where they’re coming from to help build trust and better communication.

Communicate what you want or need to avoid misunderstandings, stress and frustration.

Seek out people with similar values to create a supportive group of friends with shared interests.

Being in conflict puts your happiness and success at risk.

Knowing your real values helps you make better decisions around your work, career and relationships and gives you a sense of purpose.

Identifying and working with your values is part of the Build Better Time Habits course.