Why clarify what you care about?
Knowing what we care about provides us with important information about how we need to live our lives. If we are unclear about what we care about, what is important to us and what we value, it is likely we may lack a sense of direction and clarity in our lives.
ACT values-based psychology
Why is it important to know what you really care about?
Knowing what we care about provides us with important information about how we need to live our lives. If we are unclear about what we care about, what is important to us and what we value, it is likely we may lack a sense of direction and clarity in our lives. This will generally result in a sense of lacking meaning, purpose and vitality. We may feel we are just going through the motions, are unclear of our goals and at times experience a sense of despondency and hopelessness.
Beginning by exploring what we care about, what is important and what we value can initiate a process where we can begin to clarify what we want to accomplish in our lives, the type of person we want to be and what we want to stand for. This process provides the foundation for developing goals and informing our day to day decisions and behaviours, so they are consistent with our vision. In this way may find that we begin to experience a greater sense of meaning, purpose and vitality in our day to day lives.
Research suggests there are six domains of life that help build a sense of wellbeing. If we can participate in activities in these six domains we may find we are happier.
- Connecting with others
- Giving to others and having a positive influence
- Being active
- Embracing the moment
- Challenging ourselves and learning
- Caring for ourselves
Examples of some values:
Being healthy is a value, wanting someone to lose 10kg is a goal. Other decisions or behaviours that align with a value of being healthy are doing exercise, eating healthy, reducing alcohol use and doing mindfulness or meditation practice.
Other examples of values:
- Being adventurous
- Being caring
- Being mindful
- Learning new things
- Being curious
- Being healthy
- Being honest
- Being supportive
Exercise:
Take 10 minutes to consider what you really care about and see if you can write five values down that are important to you. The examples above can help you get started.
My values list:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Then write down 3-5 activities that would align with each value. For example, being healthy is a value, wanting someone to lose 10kg is a goal. Other decisions or behaviours that align with a value of being healthy are, doing exercise, eating healthy, reducing alcohol use, or doing mindfulness or meditation practices.
Value | List of actions and activities |
E.g. Being healthy | doing exercise, eating healthy, reducing alcohol use, doing mindfulness or meditation practices |