Values (2). Your Values - A Compass for Life

By Jane Newman

Values give you a direction of travel, not a destination—they guide the choices you make every day. When you know your values, you can set your direction. Think of them like a compass, keeping you aligned with what truly matters as you navigate the next phase of your life.

Knowing your values isn’t enough. The real challenge is living by them. And that requires consistent reflection, decision-making, and small but meaningful actions.

In this document, we will explore how to use ‘values’ to set our direction in life and how to manage ourselves towards these. Understanding and applying our values helps us stay on course, make better decisions, and align our daily actions with what truly matters. We also provide practical tools.

Let’s start with a simple tool: “Towards or Away From” Decisions

Let’s recognise that every decision you make, however big or small, moves you either towards or away from the person you want to be.

· A “Towards” decision aligns with your values and brings you closer to what truly matters.

· An “Away” decision pulls you in the opposite direction, often driven by habit, avoidance, or short-term comfort.

For example: If you value ‘connection’ but avoid calling a friend because you’re busy, that’s an “away” move. If you take five minutes to check in with them, that’s a “towards” move.

A simple questions to ask might be:

Is what I am doing taking me towards, or away from, where I want to go, and who I want to be?

This simple check-in helps ensure your daily actions match your bigger priorities.

How to Put Values into Action

Living in line with your values requires three key habits:

1. Setting daily intentions (Where do I want to go today?)

2. Making values-based decisions (Is this choice moving me towards or away?)

3. Reflecting on your actions (Did I stay on course, or do I need to adjust?)

Here is a daily routine you might like to try out:

1. Morning Intention Setting

Take one minute at the start of your day:

o What value do I want to focus on today? (e.g., curiosity, connection, independence)

o What small action will move me towards this value?

o What might get in the way, and how will I handle it?

2. Decision-Making Throughout the Day

Before making a choice, ask yourself:

o Am I moving towards or away from my values?

o What’s one small step I can take to stay aligned?

3. Evening Reflection

At the end of the day, take two minutes to reflect:

o When did I feel most aligned with my values today?

o Were there moments I drifted away? Why?

o What’s one thing I’ll do differently tomorrow?

Consistency beats perfection. Even small steps in the right direction build momentum over time.

Overcoming Challenges: Values in Real Life

Living by your values isn’t always easy. Sometimes, doing what matters most requires facing discomfort or uncertainty.

For example: If you value health, getting up early for exercise might feel hard—yet it is a “towards” move. Speaking up in a tough conversation might be uncomfortable if you value integrity, yet it keeps you aligned with your principles.

The key is flexibility, persistence, and self-compassion.

Setbacks happen. What matters is getting back on track.

Final Thought: Your Next Step

Values are your internal GPS, helping you navigate change with confidence. Each day, you get a fresh chance to choose actions that move you towards the life you want to live.

So, what one action will you take today to move towards your values?

Want more guidance? If you're interested in tools and coaching to explore your values and align your next chapter with what truly matters, reach out to us at: hello@co-labpeople.com

A Decision Point Flow Chart:

A Decision Point memory tool:

“Compass Check” Checklist

A one-minute daily checklist to ensure you're living by your values.

Set Your Compass each morning:

What value will I focus on today?

What one small action can I take to honor this value?

What might challenge me today, and how will I handle it?

Review Your Direction every evening:

When did I feel aligned with my values today?

Were there moments I drifted? Why?

What’s one tweak I can make tomorrow?

Why this works: A checklist is a practical, task-oriented way to turn reflection into an efficient daily habit.

The “One Small Action” Tracker

This is a weekly tracking tool for simple, consistent values-based actions.

Value	Small Action	Did I do it? (✔️/❌)	What I learned
Connection	Call a friend	✔️	Felt good, need to do more
Health	Stretch 5 min	❌	Need to set reminder
Growth	Read 10 pages	✔️	Learning a lot

Why this works: It’s quick, structured, and measurable. It combines identifying and selecting values to be focused on with actions and reflection.Here is clear table:

Value	Small Action	Did I do it? (✔️/❌)	What I learned