Have you ever felt that you are living a “paint by numbers” kind of life? That your day in and day out is fully scripted before you open your eyes? That there’s not much room for creativity, innovation, or even personal growth?
Many professionals feel the hamster wheel effect, working 10 to 12-hour days. They come home, go to the gym, cook dinner, shower, and fall asleep in front of the TV only to start all over again. Groundhog Day. While structure and formula could lead to success in some cases, most of the time it converges on living a B minus life.
Yet if you are anything like I was, racing around that hamster wheel but driving a nice car, living in a comfortable home, taking vacations, and saving, you are probably wondering what we have to complain about, right?
I enjoyed my colleagues, my company treated me well and I traveled to exotic places. But I felt empty. I realized my hamster wheel was gold plated.
Worse. I felt guilty for feeling empty.
What was wrong with me? How could I fill that empty well?
While I took the road less traveled, moving on and away from my previous career was not the only solution.
Here’s the first step I took to become aware of my restlessness, acknowledge it and get new alignment. I came to realize I couldn’t make a shift without knowing what needed an adjustment.
Let’s work on YOUR prototype:
First, let’s start aligning with who you really are:
- What makes you smile?
- What makes you mad?
- What, when present makes you feel alive?
The answer to these simple questions will give you an insight into your values. There are 2 types of values: fear-based or conscious based.
Values based on fear are the ones that cause us to take action to avoid something. They are the “have to’s” or “shoulds”.
Conscious based values allow people to take positive action. They are the “want-to’s”.
Let me share with you, my own personal values to give you an example.
My values are: Freedom, Commitment, Abundance, Honesty, and Personal Growth.
Now identify yours. From the sample list below, circle your top five values:
Values List
You can search the internet for longer values list as well.
Action Step #2: Continue your daily mindfulness practice. Explore your mindset by answering the journal questions. Identify your values and how they are being expressed. Recognize you have different values for the different roles you serve in life.