WLB2.2 - How to Discover Your Core Values and Use Them to Guide Your Life

 Knowing your priorities is important.

But there is a deeper question:

Why do they matter to you?

That is where your core values come in.

A simple way to understand the difference is:

→ Priorities tell you what matters.

→ Values explain why it matters.

→ Goals turn those values into action.

If family is a major priority, perhaps you value connection, presence, responsibility, or belonging.

If work is important, perhaps you value achievement, contribution, financial security, learning, or professional growth.

Look at Your Meaningful Experiences

One of the best ways to identify your values is to examine moments when you felt deeply fulfilled.

Think about three experiences when you felt:

• Proud

• Happy

• Useful

• Connected

• Challenged

• Meaningfully engaged

Then ask:

"What was important to me about this experience?"

The event itself may not be your value.

The meaning you attached to the event may reveal it.

Helping a colleague might reveal that you value contribution or teamwork.

A memorable family experience might reveal connection or presence.

Learning something difficult might reveal growth or curiosity.

Frustration Can Reveal Values Too

Your strongest frustrations can also provide clues.

If unreliable people frustrate you, reliability may be important to you.

If being micromanaged bothers you deeply, autonomy may matter.

If missing family time creates strong emotional discomfort, connection may be a core value.

Ask:

"What does this reaction tell me about what I care about?"

Find the Gap

Now compare your values with your behavior.

If family is important but work constantly consumes your evenings, there is a gap.

If health matters but rest is continually postponed, there is a gap.

If personal growth matters but every spare moment disappears into work or digital distractions, there is a gap.

This does not mean you are hypocritical.

It means you are human.

The purpose is to gradually close the gap between what you value and how you live.

Try this:

My priority is: ______

This matters to me because: ______

The deeper value behind it is: ______

Then ask:

"If I lived more consistently according to these values, what would I need to do differently with my time?"

That question can become the foundation for meaningful change.

Book: Work-Life Balance — Available on Amazon

Author: Gitangshu Adhikary — Amazon Author Page

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WLB1.3 - How to Assess Your Work-Life Balance: Create Your Personal Balance Baseline

 

Before changing your work-life balance, understand where you are today.

Think of this as creating a baseline.

A baseline is simply a snapshot of your current situation.

Without knowing your starting point, it becomes difficult to recognize meaningful improvement.

Look at Five Areas of Life

Assess:

• Work
• Family
• Health
• Leisure
• Personal Growth

Do not try to change everything at once.

That often creates another overloaded schedule.

Instead, look for the one or two areas where a change could make the biggest difference.

Rate Each Area

Give every area a score from 1 to 5.

1 means:

"This area is seriously neglected."

5 means:

"I'm genuinely satisfied with the attention this area receives."

There is no perfect score.

You do not need five out of five everywhere.

The purpose is to identify patterns.

For example:

Work: 5
Family: 3
Health: 2
Leisure: 1
Personal Growth: 2

Those numbers do not mean you have failed.

They tell you where your attention may need to go.

Look for Leverage

Do not automatically focus only on your lowest score.

Ask:

Which one or two areas, if improved, would have the biggest positive impact on my overall life?

For example, improving health may increase your energy.

More energy could improve your family relationships, work performance, and ability to enjoy leisure.

That is leverage.

You are looking for the change that can improve several areas at once.

Create Your Personal Balance Statement

Write:

"The area of my life I most need to protect or improve is ______ because ______."

Be specific.

Instead of:

"I need a better life."

Try:

"I need stronger work boundaries because working late is reducing the time I have available for my family."

Your assessment is not a permanent label.

Your responsibilities, goals, circumstances, and values can change.

Think of it as a snapshot, not a judgment.

The purpose is simply to understand:

This is where I am now. This is what needs my attention next.

Book: Work-Life Balance — Available on Amazon

Author: Gitangshu Adhikary — Amazon Author Page

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