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Time Management Tips - How Creating a Values Clarification Journal Can Energize Your Time Priorities
Time management tips can only champion priorities you have clarified. Anchor your priorities with your core values, and you will both think and act more effectively.
What Makes a Value a True Value?
Louis Raths is widely regarded as the true father of values clarification. Indeed, he coined the term "values clarification" in the 1950's. A progressive educator who taught at NYU, Raths sought to understand why some students grasped new information readily and put it to practical use, while others appeared to be immobilized by "thinking deficits". He concluded that people must be able to independently ascribe values, free from external influences, in order to think clearly and live powerfully. He then clarified that for a value to be a true value, it must meet these seven criteria:
* It must be freely chosen.
* It must be chosen from other alternatives.
* It must be chosen after deliberate reflection.
* It must be prized and cherished.
* It must be publicly affirmed.
* It must be acted upon repeatedly.
* It must be consistent with your other values.
Journal Your Way to Clearer Values with This Simple Exercise
One way to clarify your personal values is through utilizing a journal. Sidney Simon, Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts, calls this a "Values Journal".
#1: Record your most important feelings and ideas for 3-6 months.
#2: Identify emerging and consistent patterns, writing them down.
#3: How do they represent your strongest and clearest values?
Writing down even one or two sentences to illuminate your stand on these issues will strengthen your sense of self. Your values clarification will help you independently assess and weigh your options according to your own criteria. This, in turn, will help you make time choices you are happier with.
There are many questions you can ask yourself to help identify what's most important. Those that present dilemmas provide some of the richest lessons. Make a list of dilemmas in which one value comes into direct conflict with another.
For example: you value boundaries, not taking what isn't yours - yet your baby is starving and you have absolutely no money.
* Would you steal infant formula to save your child's life?
* Ask yourself, what is your most cherished value?
* What consequences are you willing to endure?
* What sacrifices are you willing to make?
* What does this say about who you are?
* How does this shape how you choose to live your life?
* Are your values consistent or conflicted?
Like a lens on a camera, such questions help you select, focus and prioritize your values by defining and refining the most significant and fundamental aspects of your life.
Taking the time to maintain a Values Journal and explore dilemmas will yield unexpected rewards. Your sense of self will strengthen along with your confidence. The more respect you accord your values, the more calmly and assertively you can set important boundaries. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to truly value your time and inspire yourself to make the best time choices ever!
Now ask yourself: How can you start clarifying your values today to find more time?
About the Author Coach Paula Eder, Ph.D., The Time Finder Expert, has 35 years of success helping individuals and small businesses align time with values. For free Time Templates + Time Tips, visit Finding TimeEnjoy our blog! TheTimeFinder
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