Feeling overwhelmed and pulled in every direction but the one you want to go in?
When was the last time you thought about your core values and needs?
One way to eliminate overwhelm is to determine your core needs and values and align your task list.
What does it mean to align your task list with your core needs and values? If you can’t find a way that the task relates to your core needs and values, then maybe it shouldn’t be on your task list. Maybe it is time to delegate those tasks or eliminate them all together.
I know we don’t live in a perfect world, but you can start to say yes to only those things that bring you joy and relate to your core values and needs; you will be much more invested in completing the tasks on your list.
Let’s first dive into what values and needs are.
What is a value?
What are values? Values are inspirational. When you think of your passions, your values may stand out. Values make life worth living, and we are more motivated when we connect our goals and decisions to our values.
Values are a powerful tool for self-reflection. Taking time to reflect on our values can help us understand our strengths and weaknesses, and it can help us identify areas for improvement. Reflecting on our values can also help us become more aware of our true selves and how our values shape our behavior.
Values also shape our goals and aspirations. Values are what motivate us to work hard and strive for success. They give us purpose and direction in our lives and allow us to stay focused on our goals. Values also shape our attitude toward life, and they can be a source of strength to help us persevere through difficult times.
What is a need?
Needs are those things that enable us to function in life. Our needs keep us going. We or our environment provide needs. If your needs aren’t met, life may seem like it isn’t working.
Our needs can range from basic physical needs such as food, water, and shelter to emotional needs like feeling loved and heard.
Physical needs are the most basic and, of course, the most important. They include basic necessities like food, water, shelter, clothing, and medical care. Without these needs met, we would not survive.
Emotional needs are just as important as physical needs. They involve feeling connected to others, loved, heard and understood, and respected. Without these needs being met, we can become isolated, depressed, and even angry.
Social needs are also crucial for our overall health and well-being. They involve feeling connected to others, having meaningful relationships, and having a sense of belonging.
Finally, our spiritual needs involve having a sense of purpose, meaning, and connection to something bigger than ourselves. Without these needs met, we may feel lost, empty, or disconnected from the world.
No matter the type of need, it is important to prioritize them and ensure they are met. When our needs are met, we can function better, both mentally and physically. We can be more productive, feel more fulfilled, and have more meaningful relationships.
Reflect on your needs and values.
If you find yourself feeling unfulfilled or disconnected, take a moment to reflect on your needs and do what you can to ensure they are met. Take care of yourself, give yourself the love and attention you need, and take time to connect with others and with yourself. Our lives can be much more balanced and fulfilling when our needs are met.
A magical thing starts to happen when we say yes to only those things aligned with our core values and needs. Our overwhelm, and stress starts to dissipate. We begin to feel more like ourselves and can work on the things we love.
There are many ways to discover your values and needs. You can reflect by journaling or thinking about what makes you the happiest and feel the most like you. You can search for values and needs and see what resonates with you.
Sometimes a value is a need, and a need is a value. Don’t get too hung up on what goes where.
I do recommend limiting yourself to about six values and needs. Try 3 of each. You are not required to have 3 of each. If this is the beginning of your exploration of values and needs, you may want to start with one value and one need.
Write down your values and needs.
I also insist that you write these values and needs someplace you can see them. It is easy to forget about your values and needs when you have so much pulling for your attention. I have mine posted above my desk, so I can refer to them throughout the day.
Does this resonate with you? Do you understand your core values and needs and how they relate to your task list?
Check out this values and needs exercise, and comment below with what you discovered.
If you want more information about aligning your values and needs with your task list, join Positively Productive to watch the video where I go into more detail.