Values Based Decision Making

“It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped”

Tony Robbins

Decision making takes place through either an intuitive or reasoned process, or a combination of the two.  Regardless of which process comes naturally to you, establishing a solid base of values to guide that process is the most effective way to ensure consistent, positive movement toward your goals.

Values-based decision making is a reliable and rewarding process ensuring the choices you make are in direct alignment with what is most important to you.  Values based decision making requires two simple, but crucial elements:

1. Determining what is most important to you
2. Making decisions based on that information

When thinking of values, usually a few meaningful words come to mind: honesty, integrity, kindness.  These are considered “character values” and are generally accepted as a universal formula for being a good person and getting along in society.  But when it comes to effective decision making, there is another more actionable set of values to be considered, personal values.  These are the things that are most important to people as unique individuals.  They include elements such as healthy lifestyle, financial freedom/abundance, time with family and recognition/acknowledgment to name a few.  In total, there are probably hundreds of personal values.  Identifying those that are most important to you is a critical factor in learning to make great decisions that lead to outstanding achievements.

Although most people can easily relate to the idea of personal values, not everyone takes the time to truly explore, identify and prioritize those values.  The process is simple and straightforward and can be very enlightening. Start with a universal list of personal values, rate or rank each value according to importance.  Narrow the list to the top 5-7 values.  Once you have clearly identified and committed to your values, using them as an unyielding filter for decision making will provide you with the direction, control and power you need to proactively tackle life’s challenges and gain momentum toward results.

Values-based decisions can also help you get ‘unstuck’ by providing clarity about what is important and the consequences of making decisions that contradict your priorities.  Most importantly, because values are deep seated and lasting, any decision made in accordance with your values, will lead to longer term satisfaction and success.

With all of these benefits, why would anyone make a decision that is not values based?  Values-based decisions require a conscious effort; they are deliberate and proactive.  When under pressure, rushing or simply not being mindful, there is a potential for making feelings-based decisions.  Feelings-based decisions, often influenced by circumstance or environment, are reactive.  While there are certainly times when reactive decisions are tough to avoid, most often those decisions lead to short term gains, temporary satisfaction and sadly, regret.

Consider the simple choice to dedicate time to exercise. If you make the decision based on circumstances, such as whether or not life is too busy or you have enough energy, then taking time to exercise may or may not be the right decision in any given moment.  Deciding not to exercise may satisfy a temporary need or fit the existing circumstance, but it undermines long term success and often leads to a feeling of failure or frustration.  If you make the decision based on your value of being healthy, there is no question that taking time to exercise is the right decision.   You tackle the decision proactively by planning for exercise, deliberately packing a bag for the gym and scheduling time in your calendar. Deciding to exercise is in alignment with your values and produces long term success.

Decisions are your greatest currency; they represent your time, energy and money.  By aligning your decisions with your values, you ensure that currency is spent on what is most important: reaching your goals, achieving success, winning at life.