Too Many Things to Do

Who Am I?

Last week, we discussed how being too busy is a choice that we have control over. We all have long to-do lists and feel pulled in a lot of different directions. Taking control starts with being clear on who you are and what matters most. This is one of the most important and one of the hardest. Most of us don’t feel like we have time for this. We’ve already got too much to do and this is just one more thing. 

This is also a really good example of the problem. It’s one of those things that on the surface doesn’t seem that important and is just going to take time that I don’t have.  

You can choose to take control or not. It’s up to you. 

Who you are is the foundation of your business and life. Core values are the Building Blocks that make up that foundation. They are your fundamental beliefs. Your guiding principles. It’s like your business conscience. It is who you are and who you want to be. 

The definition of CORE is: the central or most important part of something. This is the most part of who you are. It’s like your conscience. Deep down, on the inside, who God made you to be.  

VALUES are: the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something; a person’s principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgment of what is important in life. This is the part that you choose. How you want to be, how you will treat others, etc.  

This doesn’t mean that values are always good. Some people’s values may be selfish or greedy, but regardless, we choose what values we will live by. 

These are the non-negotiables. The things that, when you’re faced with decisions, will help both your life and business withstand earthquakes.  

How to identify your core values:  

1. Look at a list of values. Find a good, extensive, and thorough list of values and start digging through it. 

An abbreviated list of personal core values:

1. Integrity 

2. Freedom 

3. Autonomy 

4. Justice 

5. Faith 

6. Success 

7. Wealth 

8. Grace 

9. Play 

10. Joy 

11. Balance 

12. Peace 

An abbreviated list of work core values:

1. Clear direction 

2. Efficiency 

3. Dedication 

4. Growth 

5. Collaboration 

6. Creativity 

7. Research 

8. Professionalism 

9. Timeliness 

10. Quality 

11. Problem-solving 

12. Discipline 

2. Identify the ones that resonate. From these lists, identify the ones that feel most important and mark them with a 1 for most important, 2 for somewhat important, and 3 for least important. Narrow down your number 1’s to six to eight values that feel like an absolute priority. To help you figure it out, ask yourself who a few people are that model what inspires you, and look at your number 1’s to see which matches.  

3. Know your heroes. You can also find your core values by thinking about your “heroes,” reflecting on what they embody, what they stand for, and how they embrace it. 

4. Notice your patterns. Being aware of patterns in your life that are healthy versus unhealthy can guide you in identifying your core values. You can learn about what you want and what doesn’t feel right to you in this process.  

5. Assess whether you’re happy. Ask yourself whether your experiences or choices make you happy. If not, it’s likely that your core values aren’t being used in those decisions and situations. 

My core values are in alignment with what I believe God wants from me and for me. They are who He made me to be. Aside from the first value being the most important to me, the rest are not listed in any specific order. Some you may recognize as quotes or common sayings. Some of them I modified in a way that makes them more specific to me. And some I conceived on my own. All of them are values I hold high and strive to live out daily. 

1. Honor God in all that I do 

2. Make all I can, Save all I can, Give all I can 

3. Spend time wisely, there is a limited amount 

4. Pay attention to detail 

5. Never be satisfied with mediocrity 

6. Find and maintain the balance in everything 

7. Build God’s Kingdom one brick at a time 

8. Remember that I have two ears and one mouth 

9. Avoid drama 

10. Be accountable 

11. Take off the blinders, be more observant 

12. Intentional action 

Like I said earlier…

This isn’t going to be quick and easy, but it’s going to be worth it. 

It also doesn’t need to be perfect to start. It’s a process and you can always come back and revise and improve. 

Next week we’ll talk about how you can take control of your busy business and life. 

If you have questions in the meantime, schedule a meeting with me and we can talk.