Do you always consider your why, and your values, when making decisions?
I was talking to three clients last week about how important connecting in with our why and our values is when making decisions and I thought I would share a few words with you.
Our why motivates us to do what we really want to do but it also tells others so much about us. This is what encourages people to work with us, after all we are all human and love a good story! Our why, combined with our values, also help steer the decisions we make every day, to take us closer to where we want to go.
Our values are those things that are important to us. For one of my clients, she wants to spend as much time as possible with her family. She may be a business owner but she is also a mother. She loves helping her clients, but her family comes before her business. She was afraid to admit to this to others for fear that she would not be seen as a professional business owner. I told her that even although I don’t have kids of my own, I would much rather do business with someone who loves their family because this tells me they are a loving person.
By asking the following, you will get a sense of whether you feel you should do something you are considering because you want to, or because you feel it is expected of you. It is important to make your choices based on what you want and not what others expect of you as a business owner, or mum, dad, daughter, son, partner, etc.
“Will this action take me closer to what I really want to feel, do or achieve and does it tick all my values?”
For example, I do finance coaching because (my why) I know how frustrating it can be when you have a lack of money and no control over your life. You are restricted physically and spirituality. You can’t grow. You can’t help others. When you take control of your finances, you take control of your life. You can grow. You are free to do what you really want to do and you are able to help others.
My experience was the motivator for qualifying as a chartered management accountant (and then various coaching related qualifications) so I could be in control of my own finances, but also help others. However, I realised that some people who need financial help are unable to afford 1-1 coaching which puts me in a bit of dilemma! So, in order to help those people I considered doing an online course. Primarily because that is what most coaches seem to be doing. I would have to learn about all the technology behind the scenes, in order to do this. However, over the Christmas break I connected in with my values and remembered I liked personal connections, and wanted to spend more time with others and less time with technology. I also wanted to write more books and workbooks. I felt in that moment, learning how to do an online course and then creating it would take me further away from that.
I decided instead to do a Money Mastermind Group. This way I am able to reach 5 people in the same time I would spend with 1 person, and I am still able to connect with them all at a personal level! 🙂
So when faced with a dilemma over what to do, remembering to always ask “Will this action take me closer to what I really want to feel, do or achieve and does it tick all my values?”
If you would like to find out more about the Money Mastermind Group which starts on 27th January, please book here. Alternatively if you feel that someone you know would find this useful I would be grateful if you could spread the news. Thank you.
© Helen Monaghan
NB: The group has limited spaces so please book here today if you are interested. If you find it’s fully booked, please get in touch, and I may consider another group.
Email: hello@hmcoaching.co.uk
Tel: (44) 131 448 1097
