There are times in life when we are faced with choosing between our values and value. Whether it’s personal or professional, we often try to solve a problem with the quickest, most convenient solution at the time. While this creates a temporary fix, we generally don’t consider the long-term implications.
What are we compromising by choosing the easiest option? And is it really worth it?
We’ll discuss what this means and how to make the best choice between the two.
What Are Values?
Your values are the core principles of your life or business. These can be established by consciously exploiting your attitudes and beliefs.
Identify your non-negotiables in life. What are the lines you’re willing to cross and those you’re not?
Every decision you make will be aligned with your values.
Why Would You Compromise on Your Values?
True values should come naturally. Your actions should carry out your values without you having to make a conscious effort to ensure they align.
When it comes to things like money, which we refer to as value, it’s not uncommon for values to take a backseat.
COVID has provided many opportunities to analyse this. During lockdown, many people lost their jobs. In that case, parents may choose to compromise on their values and do something they wouldn’t generally do so that they would be able to generate an income for their family.
But at what cost?
Why Shouldn’t You Compromise on Your Values?
It is a parent’s responsibility to lead by example. While providing monetary value for your children is important in the long term, you need to show them that our values are the guiding path of our lives.
Seasons, relationships, careers and locations may change, but your values should withstand the test of time.
If you’re secure in your values, you’re more likely to live a more peaceful and congruent life.
How Can You Lessen the Likelihood of Compromising Your Values?
The most common way to compromise on your values is by acting impulsively in times of heightened emotion.
COVID has caused many businesses to compromise on their values to save money where possible. For example, a core value of a business may be to spend quality time together to build relationships and morale in a social setting that’s removed from work. They might choose to do away with this to save money.
But is the value of money worth compromising on values?
I know that on many occasions when I compromise on my values, I feel guilty after the event.
COVID has taught us the advantages of slowing right down.
Taking a slower, more considered approach can help us make better decisions more aligned with our values.
The business owner from the example above could have taken a step back and come up with team-building activities that don’t require money, like playing rounders in the park or having a sandcastle building competition on the beach.
Key Takeaways
It is beneficial in all aspects of life to take a restrained approach to decision-making.
There’s nothing wrong with being value-driven and aspire towards money, but the key is balancing value and your values simultaneously.
It’s good to be aspirational and take risks, but always consider whether you’re compromising on your values by doing so.
Allow your values to be your North Star and find the perfect spectrum of balance between the two.