Why Core Values Affect Your Creativity

We all have values, whether we're aware of them or not.

Each day, we wake up and choose daily, habitual actions based upon the values we've chosen; consciously or otherwise.

Values are the pillars that direct our lives. If we're living in alignment with who we truly are, then our values represent us. They become our identity.

If we're not living true to ourselves, then our values become anchor points that we can return to - again and again - when we've lost our way.

But here's the thing: not everybody is aware of their values in the first place.

If you don't consciously identify what matters to you, then your values have likely been shaped by society, family or the conditioning you've inherited. Essentially, you're just trucking along for the ride.

You may have been raised with values that benefit your life, and you may agree with them too, but until you identify your own values, you're not in the drivers seat of your own life.

Without awareness of our values, we may sabotage ourselves by wondering why we can't hold down a relationship, struggle to work hard, suffer from excessive spending or have a hard time expressing ourselves with authenticity, as an example.

When this happens, we may be living by inherited values that don't represent our true potential.

It can cause a lot of suffering.

Values are subtle morals that embed our subconscious, which we abide by; and I don't mean moral as in 'good' or 'bad' but simply what makes us tick in a certain direction.

Don't get me wrong; values aren't something that we align with instantly once identified. They take time, conscious effort to practice and intentionality.

Rather, they become anchor points to refer to when our best intentions have slipped, again.

My definition of integrity is this: Your thoughts and beliefs match your actions, which match your values. There's a sense of congruence or wholeness from within. There's no part of you that's fighting with another; creating dissonance, struggle, resistance and shame.

So what do values have to do with creativity, then?

Simply put; once you identify your core values, you can begin to navigate your life around them, bit by bit. If creativity matters to you, then you need to ask yourself if you truly value creative expression, or if it's just something you like to say at parties.

How does one honour their values, without conscious practice and action? You can't.

1. Identify your values

Everybody's values will differ. For some; success can be a strong value while for others, rest is imperative. You may value career progression, while others value family. Ultimately, this is a 'life-list' that tells us what matters most; and only we can identify this.

Here are my top 5 core values:

• Creativity

• Community

• Trust

• Freedom

• Purpose

2. Note the action required to respect and honour them.

Here's how I put them into practice:

Creativity = I incorporate small acts of creativity into my everyday life.

Community = I surround myself with networks that lift me up and energize me.

Trust = I prove to myself and others of my trustworthy nature. I expect mutual trust in return.

Freedom = I craft a life that makes me the boss. I don't do well with being micro-managed.

Purpose = I ensure my life feels full of direction, satisfaction and authentic contribution.

So let me ask you, reader:

• If you value purpose, have you been spending time on things that feel meaningful?

• If you value education, have you been creating time to learn recently?

• If you value friendship, have you been isolating a little too much? 

Our values are navigation posts that bring us back on track to our personal trajectory. We remind ourselves "Oh, I value visibility - I better show myself this by putting myself out there!"

Here's the thing... Your brain doesn't care what you say you value.

Your conscious mind can say whatever it likes, but it's the subconscious mind - the operator of your whole daily program - that tells the truth. Ever hear the phrase "Actions speak louder than words" or "Put your money where your mouth is"?

To prove to your subconscious that you mean business, you need repetitive action and habitual changes that affirm your values; first to yourself, and then to the world.

Once you become clearer on your values, it's easier to identify the actions necessary to bring you back in your right direction.

I'll leave you with a well known Carl Jung quote:

"Until you make the subconscious conscious, it will direct your life - and you will call it fate."

So here's a question, what do you need to do to align your actions with your values?

This is the kind of work we do inside Momentum Create Club - creative mentoring for women and men who want to stay aligned with their values and build real, heartfelt creative accountability month after month.