Unleash the power of choice through self-awareness
“The choices we make directly impact our lives. If we want something different, it’s time to make a new choice and experience its transformative power.”
We all have a power within us that we are often unaware of — ‘the power of choice’. Our choices determine our reality. What we choose has an immense impact on our lives and the world that surrounds us, as well as the experiences we will have going forward.
The power of choice is the freedom to choose our own actions, behaviors, and responses in any given situation. It empowers us to shape our lives according to our values, priorities, and aspirations.
You have the power to choose the reality you want to create. Through the choices you make, you create your reality.
Choices permeate every aspect of our lives, ranging from the mundane to the profound. We make choices regarding our education, career, relationships, hobbies, and lifestyle. Making choices opens up new pathways and expands our realm of possibilities.
Each choice we make opens up a particular path and closes off others, leading to a unique set of experiences and opportunities. Each choice creates a ripple effect, leading to a series of subsequent choices and new multiple possibilities.
By consciously choosing, we take an active role in shaping our lives and realities. We become active participants in the process of creating the future we desire.
To make choices that are conscious and deliberate, it is crucial to have a deep awareness of our core values, priorities, and the aspirations we hold for our lives. When we have a clear understanding of our core values, we can align our choices and actions with what truly matters to us.
Core values are the guiding light that reflects our priorities and what is most important to us in life. They serve as a compass, providing direction and clarity in choice-making. They help us allocate our time, energy, and resources to create our realities. Knowing our core values eliminates ambiguity and allows us to make choices that are in alignment with what truly matters to us.
Self-awareness and core values are intimately connected.
Self-awareness serves as a gateway to recognizing and acknowledging our core values by providing us with a deep understanding of ourselves and our inner landscape.
Self-awareness allows us to tune in to our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs, assisting us to acknowledge what truly matters to us. It helps us to differentiate between societal expectations, external influences, and our personal core values.
Nurturing self-awareness is essential as it plays a significant role in uncovering the innate core values that drive our choices and actions.
Through the practice of self-awareness, we develop a heightened sensitivity to our inner experiences, enabling us to discern recurrent patterns that resonate with our core values. Self-awareness grants us the capacity to perceive and receive the profound values that underpin our existence.
Acknowledging our core values
To make choices that truly align with who we are and what we want in life, it's crucial to be aware of our core values, priorities, and vision. This is why cultivating self-awareness is vital.
The cultivation of self-awareness acts as a fundamental link that enables us to recognize and acknowledge the inherent core values that influence our choices and actions. Without self-awareness, we might end up making choices that don't align with our values and priorities.
When we recognize our personal values, we are able to make choices that are in alignment with our values and priorities, regardless of any external pressures or societal conventions.
Self-awareness activities
Here are some simple self-awareness activities to help you discover and acknowledge your core values:
Self-Reflection: Reflect on specific instances when you felt the most happy, proud, or fulfilled. Consider both personal and professional contexts. What were you doing during those moments? What activities, achievements, or relationships were involved?
Set aside dedicated time for self-reflection. This can be just simply practicing self-inquiry. Ask yourself questions like, "What truly matters to me?" or "What do I want to stand for in life?" Make a list of everything that inspires you—whether books, websites, quotes, people, paintings, stores, television shows, or movies. Reflect on experiences that have evoked strong emotions or moments of fulfillment to identify the values underlying those moments.
Recall moments in your life when you felt most generative, creative, alive, dynamic, and joyful. Consider both personal and professional contexts. What were you doing during those moments? What activities, achievements, or relationships were involved? What values were being expressed or honored during those times? For example, if you felt a deep sense of joy and fulfillment while helping others unconditionally, it may indicate that generosity of spirit, kindness, or compassion is an important value for you.
Make a conscious choice to reflect on your experiences, beliefs, and what truly matters to you. Ask yourself questions like:
What activities or moments make me feel the most joyful and alive?
What kind of impact do I want to make in the world?
When have I felt the most proud of myself and why?
What aspects of life do I prioritize the most?
If I had all the resources and freedom in the world, how would I spend my time?
Emotional awareness: Emotions serve as important indicators of what we value and what resonates with us. Self-awareness empowers us to use our emotions as a compass for choice-making. It helps us recognize and acknowledge our emotions as they arise.
Self-awareness allows us to tune into our emotions and discern their underlying causes. By paying attention to how we feel in different situations, we can gain a deeper understanding of what truly matters to us. For example, if we feel a deep sense of aliveness and exuberance when engaged in a particular activity, it may indicate that the activity aligns with our core values.
A powerful indicator of what we value. When our actions align with our core values, we experience a sense of enthusiasm, expansiveness, and inner joy. For example, if we consistently feel a sense of excitement, liveliness, and joy when engaging in creative activities, it may indicate that self-expression and artistic pursuits align with our core values. On the other hand, feelings of discomfort or unease may suggest a misalignment with our values.
By recognizing the emotions associated with different choices or situations, we can make more informed choices that bring us greater satisfaction and new possibilities.
Pay attention to what irritates or inspires you: Self-awareness is a superpower that helps us understand our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. It's the key to unlocking insights into what truly matters to us. By observing how we react to different situations and experiences, we can discover important clues about our core values. It's like having a roadmap to navigate life with greater awareness and clarity.
Have you ever noticed how certain things either bother you or ignite a fire within you? Well, paying attention to those reactions can actually reveal a lot about what's truly important to you. In fact, the things that irritate or inspire you can give valuable clues about your core values. So, take a moment to reflect on those situations when you feel particularly passionate and let them guide you toward what truly matters to you.
Strong emotional responses: Pay attention to situations or behaviors that evoke strong emotions in you. Notice how you react to different situations or conversations. What values are being violated or upheld in those instances? Strong emotional responses, whether positive or negative, can provide clues about values that are being activated. For instance, if you strongly react to injustice, it might indicate that fairness or equality is a core value for you. If you feel upset by dishonesty, it might signify that integrity is a core value for you.
Reflect on situations that trigger internal conflict: Think about specific instances or situations in your life where you experienced inner conflict, dissatisfaction, or discomfort. These can be moments when you felt frustrated, stressed, or unsettled.
Reflect on the nature of the conflict and the reasons behind it. What was it about the situation that bothered you or created a sense of inner tension? Was it a clash of values, compromised integrity, or a misalignment with your priorities? For instance, If you feel a strong internal conflict in conversations or situations involving deception, judgment, or dishonesty, it may indicate that integrity, honesty, or sincerity are core values for you.
Core values to live by!
We all learn our core values in life from a variety of sources: parents, teachers, religious leaders, society, etc. And sometimes even our own beliefs may contradict the values we've been taught. That's why it can be beneficial to take time and consciously choose which 6-8 core values to live by.
Of course, sometimes our outlook has varied from social standards and arguably evolved over time as we gain greater insight into ourselves and the world. It can be hugely beneficial to create a shortlist of our current personal core values. This will likely include no more than 6 to 8 values that matter most to us right this moment.
Through the deliberate exploration of our values, we gain a clearer perception of ourselves, which empowers us to make choices that resonate with our values, priorities, and long-term visions. This process not only promotes personal growth but also leads to an overall improvement in our well-being.
Take note of the words or phrases that stir up emotions or connect with you on a personal level. Reflect on the values that are crucial to your happiness and overall satisfaction with your life. Don't compromise on the things that truly matter to you.
It is important to recognize that your values are not static, but rather dynamic and responsive to your changing perspectives and aspirations. As you journey through life and encounter diverse experiences and challenging circumstances, it is natural and customary to reevaluate and adapt your values. It is part of the growth process to refine and modify your values as you gain new insights and evolve as an individual.
Take time to connect deeply with each of your values. Reflect on what is important to you and then incorporate those core values into your choices. Each of your values has an inherent personal relevance that simply cannot be ignored. Going beyond recognizing them, give yourself the space to actually acknowledge each and every value with deep, deliberate intentionality.
Reflect on why each value is significant to you. Take a second to personally appreciate why each one matters to you and how it contributes to your sense of fulfillment and well-being. Imagine how living in alignment with these values can impact and contribute to your life and the lives of others. It’s not exploration just for exploration’s sake; effective connection leads to conscious growth & development.
Actively engage in experiences that align with your core values and observe how they make you feel. For example, if kindness is one of your core values, you can choose to look for opportunities to perform acts of kindness towards others without expecting anything in return. This can include small gestures like holding the door for someone, offering a helping hand, or expressing genuine compliments and appreciation. Reflect on these experiences and assess whether they resonate with your values.
Allow your values to guide your choice
When you allow your values to guide your choices, you are aligning your choices with what truly matters to you. Let's say one of your core values is integrity, and you are faced with a business deal that raises doubts about its alignment with your values. In such a situation, you can ask yourself these questions to help determine whether to say yes or no:
Does this choice align with my core values?
Will say yes require me to compromise or sacrifice something significant to me?
What are the potential ramifications of saying yes or no to this choice?
By asking yourself these questions, you can gain clarity about whether this particular deal is in alignment with your values, priorities, and overall well-being. It helps you make choices that are more intentional, and generative.
When things seem hazy and unclear: When you're feeling unsure of which choice to take, or in moments of ambiguity or confusion, it's always helpful to stop and ask yourself: What choice do I have here?” or “What do I want to choose?” or “Does this choice resonate with my deepest values and priorities?” These simple questions can help you stay true to your core values and allow you to move beyond impulsive reactions.
It's important to recognize that at times, we're faced with choices in which we have to choose between two valued principles rather than good versus bad.
Sometimes, making a choice isn't just about what's right or wrong. Instead, you may find yourself faced with choosing between two values that hold significant importance to you. It can be a tough spot to be in, but it's important to remember that there isn't always a clear-cut solution. Trust your instincts, weigh your options, and make the best choices you can based on what truly matters to you. Here are some insights to help you make the best possible choice when both options are in alignment with your personal values:
Take the time to assess which values are most important to you in the given context. Reflect on their significance and how they contribute to your overall well-being and long-term goals.
Evaluate the potential outcomes and consequences of each choice. How will they impact your life, relationships, and future? Identify the potential benefits and drawbacks associated with each option.
Pay attention to your awareness, gut feelings, and instincts. Sometimes, your awareness can guide you toward the choice that resonates most deeply with you. Listen to your inner wisdom and trust yourself.
Making a choice doesn't always mean there is a right or wrong answer. It's about weighing the options, considering the values that matter most to you, and making the best choice you can based on the information and understanding you have at that time. Trust yourself and have confidence that you are capable of navigating difficult decisions with integrity and authenticity.
Ultimately, the choice you make should be based on a thoughtful and honest evaluation of the situation, considering both your values and the potential consequences. By staying true to your core value of integrity, you will maintain your self-respect and ensure that your actions are in harmony with your beliefs.
Key Takeaway
Self-awareness and making choices go hand in hand. Greater self-awareness allows us to make choices that truly resonate with us. Choices permeate every aspect of our lives, ranging from the mundane to the profound.
Making conscious and intentional choices requires a profound understanding of our core values, priorities, and what we want to create in our lives. Core values are a guiding light reflecting what's most important. They act as a compass for choice-making.
Self-awareness is important for recognizing core values. Through self-awareness, we gain the ability to recognize and reveal our fundamental core values. The more we delve into self-awareness and comprehend our values and priorities, the more effortlessly we can navigate choice-making.
By consciously acknowledging our core values, we reclaim our power to choose in alignment with our own inner compass, regardless of any external forces or societal expectations that may arise.
The recognition and acceptance of our core values empower us to make choices that genuinely resonate with us, enabling us to navigate through life's complexities with confidence and clarity.
