Values-Based Decision Making

In simple terms, values-based decision making is when your personal values serve as a guide in making decisions, both great and small.

   "It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are." - Roy Disney

Defining Values

The dictionary definition of value is 'A person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life.'

When we are aware of our personal values, and consistently work to meet them, decisions are easier to make.

Using this model means decision making is based upon your core values, visions, and goals you have set for yourself. The effectiveness of this method will depend on you to be clear with yourself about what's really important in your life. Knowing who you are, what you believe in, and fully understanding the principles you live your life by, lays the groundwork for decisions. When faced with a difficult decision, if you refer back to your personal values, you will know, and you will feel a strong sense of right and wrong.

This framework is simple and quite practical to use in every aspect of our life. And yet, it is not always followed. We sometimes go against our own values, and other times, we're not even sure what they are. I have found this to be true most especially in the context of romantic relationships. Sometimes, those who are looking for love and intimacy make the choice to compromise their connection to self for a connection with other. For example, they will continue dating someone even when they know important values are missing in their relationship. If what's missing is basic trust, respect, honesty, and commitment, you can expect the situation will lead to not so small problems. Be aware that compromised decision-making happens when we make important decisions that go against our deepest values. When we continue with something or someone that does not support what is most important to us, the emotional and psychological cost is high. The good news is that there is an alternative: Be a values-based decision maker in your life. It's a sure way of being true to yourself and you will be happier for it.

Decisions Made Easier Guidelines

When important life choices are not in alignment with your fundamental values, that's a recipe for unhappiness.

Values can change over time, but some remain constant. Know which ones are most and least important to you; which are non-negotiable; which are missing in your life, and what you can do to change this.

Reinforce and live your values on a daily basis. They reveal who you are and how you choose to live. Knowing yourself will make it easier to make important decisions.

Before making an important decision, ask yourself, how does … fit with my values.

Think about what you are doing and how you are behaving and ask yourself, "How is this working out?" Returning to our core values can put us back on the right path towards our life goals.

Continuously examine your choices to see if they are a good match for your values. When the way you think, speak, and behave match your values, things feel right.

When we're on the right track... we know it.
When we talk ourselves into making an unhealthy choice... we know it.
When we move away from what is right... we feel it.

When Decisions Match Our Values 

We have a feeling of comfort knowing we have our back- we have come through for ourselves. This  increases our overall self-confidence, inner strength, and motivation to stay on course with life goals. The more in tune we are about what really matters to us, the easier it is to rely on our gut sense of right and wrong.

As we rely more on making decisions that support of deepest values, we see how this gives us  integrity and strengthens our character.

Even when decisions made by us turn out to be the "wrong ones," we can make them right if we are willing to acknowledge this, learn to grow, and move forward.

Last Word...

Decisions, Decisions, make them by keeping with your values, and watch how you move with your life.

Thank you for reading!