Q3: Make each value into a single word

Finally, pick the top 5 that you nominated as most important and synthesise each into 1 to 3 words. Ideally you should be able to give each value a single descriptive word.

Choose words that you can identify with effortlessly (even if under stress). Or as Michael Gervais frames it: you should be able to recall them under gunpoint in the middle of the night…

You’ll know you’ve got your core value drivers right if when you read them through, you FEEL them as a part of you. As if they’re an arm or a leg.

Don’t overthink it.  

There’s no right or wrong way of deciding. Different words will create different emotional response in different people. So let your instinct decide on the final words. It’s key that these words create emotions that are directly associated with what they mean.

They sit at our core and drive you. Whether you know them or not – you are driven!
At each junction, they play out in a symphony… casting their votes to define your future AND present.

It makes a lot of sense that you get to know them. It makes sense not to fly on auto pilot, no?

I ended up with these 5 words: Love, Trust, Create, Breathe, Buzz.

In the beginning I had to write the short explanations next to each to help me stay clear and internalise their meanings, so that they become a solid part of my consciousness.

That’s the hard part – to keep them front of mind long enough to become one with them. 

The easiest thing to do is to write or print them out. Stick them somewhere where you spend a lot of time and maybe even bring a copy with you in your wallet. Or why not create a screensaver on your phone (or Apple Watch face)? That way you get to see them consciously AND sub-consciously.

When you’ve internalised them – that’s when they start paying off.

That’s when they’ll provide you with the strength to stay on course. Or the self-belief to change and trust that you can handle things as they come. The clarity of why you’re here and where you’re heading – at least at this phase in time.

The calmness to be present and intentional with whatever path is unfolding…

These 5 words will hold you up like no outside influence can. Make them your BFF! Internalise them until they’re a part of your DNA.

Your actions for this step:

• Pick the top 5 values in your prioritised list from last step.
• Synthesise each into 1 to 3 words. Ideally one word that you can identify with effortlessly (even if under stress). It’s key that these words create emotions that are directly associated with what they mean to you.
• Write, print, stick them somewhere where you spend a lot of time. Bring a copy with you in your wallet. Or create a screensaver on your phone (or Apple Watch face)?
• Over the next few days, actively review them and try to internalise them by FEELING the emotions you associate with them. The point is to start to have them at your core thinking – kind of as a filter for your daily perception :o)

Now – we’re off to the final step in this self discovery process – click to Q4