Written by Deb Penner, Transformative Mentor
Deb Penner is a visionary voice, blending modern psychology with ancient wisdom and divine guidance to offer transformative perspectives guiding women to embrace their magic and unleash their voices with courage and grace. A founder, author, speaker, mentor, and retreat organizer, Deb is known for creating transformative spaces and experiences.
Feeling adrift in your career or personal life? Uncover the hidden force guiding your decisions and learn how to harness it for greater fulfillment and success.
Imagine being aboard a ship in the vast ocean of life. Powerful currents of social pressure and storms of unexpected challenges fight to push your personal growth vessel in new directions. You, as the Captain of your own destiny, have a life purpose and career goals in mind. However, you have no moral compass, no ethical sextant, not even knowledge of your guiding stars to help you navigate your journey. You are utterly without direction in your decision-making, at the mercy of external influences and life's unpredictable tides. Sailing this ship of self-discovery is akin to moving through life without knowledge of your core values.
What are core values?
In an article written for Medium, Dr. Sara Sutler-Cohen defines core values as “the root beliefs that a person or organization operates from.” In other words, they are your navigational system. Each person has a unique set of core values, influenced by but potentially separate from the values of their culture, family, religion, or other outward influences. Common core values include concepts like integrity, relationships, health, stability, and success.
Why do they matter?
Without knowledge of your core values, you are like the Captain of the ill-fated ship above. The thoughts, opinions, and values of others push and pull you in varying directions. Trying to meet these external expectations can easily pull you off course from your intended destination and may prevent you from ever reaching your desired shore.
In fact, your values are needed before you ever set sail, or you may find yourself on an island that feels less like paradise and more like purgatory. Any accomplishment, no matter how significant in the eyes of others, that is incompatible with your values will seem empty and unsatisfying. Consider the C-Suite executive living in a major city, working 60 hours per week for a tech firm who truly values quiet time, artistic expression, and connection to nature. The world might tell this individual they are successful, but their inner experience will feel quite opposite.
How do you use them?
Your core values dictate what is most important to you. Knowing these values will allow you to set goals that will result in satisfaction and joy when met. Knowledge of your unique values insulates you from excessive outward influence, helping protect you from self-effacing behavior like codependency and people pleasing. Values can also provide aid when making decisions. If you’re not sure which option to choose, ask yourself which moves you closer to your values. A choice reinforcing those things that matter most will always resonate in the long run. In fact, considering your values before making a difficult choice or when facing a thorny problem will actually reduce your stress levels, per a study published in ScienceDaily.
What are your core values?
Do you already know your core values? If so, you can perform a values audit. I recommend auditing your two most often used resources: your time and your finances. Check your monthly spending or your calendar against your values. Which expenditures of time and money are aligned with your values? Which are in opposition? Can you implement changes to increase the former and reduce the latter?
If you're unsure of your core values, take the first step on your journey of self-discovery by completing our simple core values assessment on the Home page of my website. This 15-minute exercise will equip you with the vital navigational tools you need for smooth sailing, regardless of how stormy life's seas become.
Once you have this crucial piece of self-knowledge in hand, it's time to chart your course. Schedule a complimentary Breakthrough Session with me to explore how professional mentorship can help you steer your vessel towards your truest definition of personal and professional success. Together, we'll navigate the waters of your potential and set sail towards a future aligned with your deepest values.
You can also follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook or visit my website for more ways to unleash your magic.
Deb Penner, Transformative Mentor
Deb Penner, a transformative visionary, guides women on a journey to embrace their magic and unleash the voice of the Divine Feminine. With over two decades of experience, she curates immersive retreats, dynamic workshops, and live/virtual spaces where women explore their values, gifts, and voices in a safe community. As a speaker and blog author, her insights deeply resonate. Beyond her professional pursuits, Deb finds joy outdoors with her dogs, in the kitchen cooking from scratch, lost in live music on the dance floor, or curled up with a good book.
