Why do you do what you do? Do you know why?

Do you know why you do what you do? Do you understand what is really driving you to be the best mum you can be? Can you identify the values that are at the core of you being you?

We all have a value system, and our core values affect everything that we do, how we behave, and how we feel. Your values are your unspoken rules and regulations. They are the terms and conditions by which you live your life. If you compromise your core values, this is reflected in how you feel about life or work or being a parent, and it will affect how you behave.

Where do your values come from? Well there are many factors at work here – partly cultural, partly upbringing, partly just you.

For some, freedom and independence might be core values. Those people might feel really unhappy or fettered in a job that requires absolute compliance to 100s of rules and regulations. For others loyalty could be a core value. When loyalty is a core value, we often find people staying for 3-4 years in a job that they absolutely hate, but “can’t” leave because loyalty is such a core value. Yet they might not even be aware that this is what is happening. That person might be giving you all sorts of reasons as to why they are still in a role when it might seem very obvious to you that it’s not the right job for them. It might be the right career, but not the right organisation.

Values are intangibles. Examples include accuracy, bravery, expertise, fashion, freedom, independence, justice, love, pride, sexuality, sympathy, teamwork, warmth, wealth.

Very often when mums come to me looking for help and support to go back to work with confidence, they’re not sure whether they want to go back to the role they had before. And it could be that your values were not being met. You have an instinctive understanding that your previous job is at conflict with your core values. I have a great exercise that helps my clients to develop a better understanding of their values.

Values are super important. Once you understand your core values, your drivers, you can make more effective and more confident decisions. It gives you insight and understanding into those times when life didn’t feel quite right, even though you might have expected it to feel brilliant.

If you liked this, and you want to identify your own core values and find out whether this might explain if you’re feeling unhappy at work or in your business, download this quick and simple activity. Get an insight into what’s most important to you in just five easy steps!