I wrote a blog post a few weeks ago about being in integrity. Basically, I was feeling very stuck and heavy in business and in life, so I made a list of everything I was intentionally avoiding or blatantly ignoring. It was a long list and included everything from returning overdue library books to deciding to drop a couple of clients with whom I no longer wish to work.
After marking off just a few of the items from the list, I felt freer and lighter. Business seemed to take off. Out of the blue I received an invitation to speak at a business meeting and had a friend of a friend provide me with the best testimonial. Wow, all that for just a couple of checkmarks.
So, what did I do next? I stopped working on the list and went on with everyday life. Guess what? I feel stuck, stuck, stuck again. And it feels bad.
What I failed to learn was integrity is adhering to a code of values. My values. I have been leaving my values out of my business and my life. That is what is causing the big disconnect. A-ha.
Staying true to my core values of freedom, authenticity, creativity, abundance, love and fun should be my main focus in everything I do. I can’t remember the last time I had silly fun or flexed my creative muscle. No wonder I am so out of whack.
I know this is my first post on Women on Business, but I am going to put you to work and issue a challenge. What are your core values and where are they NOT showing up in your life or business? How can you make aligning with your values your number one priority this weekend?
For me, it is time to head to the mountains with my camera and capture some amazing photos. Maybe then I’ll be ready to tackle the rest of that to-do list.
It sounds like your number one value is integrity to your values, Kristina. I know that is my most important core value, but I often just assume it is there is myself and others.
I have a high value of growth, so am always reinventing myself. I think I’m true to that value, but sometimes that means I don’t stay in one place long enough to keep focused on a single thing–I’m off chasing new ways to grow and change. Your gentle reminder in this blog reminds me to keep focused on being congruent with ALL my values and all that I stand for. I now have a post-it on my computer that reminds me that “Congruence is Key.” Thanks, Kristina!
This morning I was going to sit on the deck with a cup of tea. Now I’m having my tea with a pad of paper in hand. Your words so reflect a clear inner message I received yesterday – “I feel like I went off track.” I immediately came back to the right track but some substance is missing. The substance you provided in your post.
Thank you Kristina.
There is so much talk today about balance. The problem is that the conversation is externally focused … when the problem is one of balance internally. And you have hit right upon it Kristina. The balance that is at the core of the issue is the balance that comes from being intently conscious of our values. Values = the system by which we make all our choices and decisions; it’s just that too many people do this unconsciously. Thanks for your story. Jeff
I tend to be an all or nothing kind of person, so the home life – work balance in my home-based business has been more of a struggle for me than I thought it would be. In the early days of my business, I knew I would walk away if my kids needed anything, and now I get so wrapped up in exciting new ideas that it is easy to ignore the family and make them eat takeout one more time.
We’ve had a taste of the empty nest this week, as all my kids were gone at various camps, and my husband and I discussed some priorities that need to shift and things we want to do with the kids before they are gone for good.
I don’t know if we ever achieve the perfect balance of living out our values, but as long as we’re checking in every so often and making course corrections along the way, we won’t veer too far off the path.
Thanks for your amazing honesty Kristina. I’ve been out of integrity lately, too, and I’ve found that when I get back in alignment internally, everything starts to click.
I’ll take your challenge, and think about where my values aren’t showing up in my life or my business.
Sandy Rees
So absolutely true. Every time we decide that it is time to let something go that is not working for us it makes room for something better. And it always has to do with one of our core values which is integrity. We ask if we are holding onto something or someone (a client) out of fear of not having? If that is the case, we have more recently gotten better at letting go and making room for something better and most times it shows up shortly! Amazing how it works.