Decision-making based on values: The key to personal effectiveness and success

Decision-Making Based on Values: The Key to Personal Effectiveness and Success

In today's world, where there is an abundance of information and decision-making has become an everyday routine, it is important to reflect on how we make decisions. Many of us may find ourselves in situations where we are unsure of what is truly important to us. Decision-making based on values is not just about choosing between options, but about deepening our personal effectiveness and success in both personal and professional life.

Values are the foundation of our decisions, and therefore it is important to know and deepen them. When we learn to make decisions in accordance with our values, we can gain a clearer overview of what we want to achieve and how we want to present ourselves to the world. In the following sections, we will look at how to identify your values, how to apply them in everyday life, and how this can enhance our personal effectiveness.

Identifying Values

The first step in decision-making based on values is their identification. What are the values that are most important to you? You can ask yourself questions such as:

How would I like others to see me?
What brings me joy and fulfillment?
What are my priorities in personal and professional life?

There are many techniques that can help you identify your values. For example, you can create a list of ten values that come to mind and then try to narrow it down to the five most important ones.

Exploring Values in Practice

Once you have your values clearly defined, it is time to put them into practice. Here are some tips on how to achieve this:

Reflection: Regularly take time to think about how your decisions align with your values. You can keep a journal where you track how you feel about your choices.
Playing Games: Create a game where you rate your decisions on a scale from 1 to 10 based on how they align with your values. You can invite friends to join you and compare your values.
Visualization: Create a visual plan that represents your values and how you want to implement them in your life. You can use a collage, drawings, or digital tools.

Examples of Value-Based Decisions

To better understand what decision-making based on values can look like, let's look at a few practical examples:

Lifestyle: If your value is health, you might choose a healthy diet and regular exercise. This may also involve decisions about who you spend time with, so you surround yourself with people who support your healthy lifestyle.
Work Decisions: If values such as integrity and honesty are important to you, when choosing an employer, you should look for companies that share these values and are known for their transparency.

Building Personal Effectiveness

When integrated values begin to shape your decision-making, personal effectiveness significantly increases. Here are some tips to enhance your effectiveness:

Goal Setting: Based on your values, set specific, measurable, and achievable goals.
Prioritization: Learn to prioritize tasks that align with your values so you can spend more time on what is truly important to you.
Self-Reflection: Regularly reflect on your successes and failures. Learn from every decision you have made.

Games and Activities to Deepen Values

There are many activities that can help you better understand your values and improve your decision-making skills:

Values Game: Get a deck of cards with different values. Each player draws a card and has to explain why that value is important to them.
Group Discussion: Organize a discussion with friends or colleagues about the values they consider important. You can inspire each other and discover new perspectives.
Personal Values Map: Create a personal values map where you visually represent how your values are connected to your goals and decisions.

Conclusion

Decision-making based on values is the key to achieving personal effectiveness and success. When we learn to identify and apply our values, we can gain a clearer overview of our goals and priorities. I believe this blog has helped you reflect on what values are important to you and how you can integrate them into your everyday life. Remember that personal and professional growth is a process that takes time and effort, but with values-based decisions, you are on the right path to success.

Get personalized recommendations for your growth – choose your answers

Imagine that you receive an offer for a very well-paying job that, however, requires you to occasionally overlook unethical practices of the company. How would you react? I would be looking for a way to change company practices from within.
I would give up this offer even if I had to face financial difficulties.
I would consider a compromise if it had short-term benefits for my family.
I would focus on my own work and not deal with things that I cannot influence.
I would try to find a solution that would satisfy both sides.

You are in a team that can't decide between two options - one is quick and advantageous, but may damage customer trust, the other is honest, but slow and costly. How would you behave? I would support an honest option, even if it were more challenging.
I would propose a compromise solution that minimizes risks.
I would leave the decision to others and adapt.
I would be looking for a way to justify a faster option if it is more advantageous for the company.
I would make decisions based on concrete data and facts, not feelings.

If you could promote one important social value in your environment, what would it be? Justice – so that everyone has the same chances and opportunities.
Freedom – so that everyone can walk their own path without restrictions.
Loyalty – so that we can rely on each other.
Success – to ensure that everyone is motivated to achieve their maximum.
Kindness – so that people treat each other better and with respect.

You discover that your close colleague sometimes twists the truth to gain advantages. How would you react? I would confront him and try to convince him to stop.
I would report it to my superiors, even if it could have consequences.
I would give him the space to explain his reasons and only then would I decide.
I would ignore it if it didn't have a direct negative impact on me.
I would use this experience as an opportunity to discuss values.

When faced with an important life decision, you find yourself in conflict between what you want and what your family expects from you. How would you react? I would do what I believe is right, even if it was against my family's expectations.
I would try to find a solution that suits both parties.
I would prioritize family because their opinions are important to me.
I would decide based on what would bring me greater long-term benefits.
I would skip emotions and analyze the situation purely rationally.

Which of the following statements best describes your decision-making in a dilemma? I always try to act according to my values, regardless of the circumstances.
I am looking for the most balanced solution for all parties involved.
I decide in a way that is best for me and my loved ones.
I am trying to keep my options open and not commit to one solution.
I lean towards what will bring me the greatest practical advantage.

How do you react when someone violates a value that you consider important? I will tell him openly and try to convince him to make it right.
If it's not crucial, I'll leave it as it is and won't interfere.
I will remember it internally and I will keep an eye on it in the future.
I will look for a way to show him a better approach without direct confrontation.
If it is serious, I will make sure that he faces the consequences.

Imagine that you have to make a decision that aligns with your values, but it means significant restrictions or losses. How do you react? I stand by my values regardless of the consequences.
I am looking for a way to minimize losses while preserving values.
If necessary, I am willing to adjust the values to match reality.
I will decide based on what long-term effects it will have.
I won't make a decision right away, but I will wait for a more suitable time.

If you could change one thing in your life that would better reflect your values, what would it be? I would spend more time with the people that matter to me.
I would change the way I work to be more aligned with my values.
I wouldn't be afraid to express my true opinions more.
I would worry less about the future and enjoy the present more.
I would work on contributing more to society.

Imagine that in 10 years you look back on your life. What would you like to see? That I remained true to my values and did not let myself be swayed from them.
That I have found a balance between what I want and what my surroundings want.
That I took advantage of every opportunity, even if it meant making compromises.
That I have continuously evolved and learned new things.
That I haven't forgotten about the relationships and the people who were important to me.