Feeling Stuck? Start With Your Values (Tuesday Tip #12)
We all face moments when the path forward is unclear. You weigh the options. You make pros and cons lists. You overthink. And still, you feel stuck.
But what if the issue is not the decision itself? What if the uncertainty comes from not knowing what matters most?
One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself when you feel stuck is this:
Which choice best reflects my values?
This question shifts the focus. It moves you away from trying to find the perfect option and brings you back to what truly matters to you. It grounds your thinking in something more personal, more stable, and more honest: your values.
The Problem With Seeking the “Perfect” Answer
It can be easy to fall into a trap of believing there is a best possible decision out there if we can just figure it out. But this mindset often leads to stress, indecision, and self-doubt.
Rarely is there one perfect choice. Instead, there are different options that reflect different priorities. When you are not clear on your priorities, it is easy to stay stuck in place.
Values Are a Compass
Values are not just words on a list. They are the underlying forces that shape how you move through the world. They influence how you spend your time, what you care about, and what you protect.
When your decisions reflect your values, they tend to feel more natural. You might still face uncertainty, but the process of making a decision becomes clearer. The alignment creates confidence.
A Simple but Transformative Question
Next time you feel uncertain, try asking this: Which option stays true to my values?
It might not solve everything in an instant, but it can offer a starting point. That one question can cut through the noise and reconnect you to something deeper.
You may still have trade-offs to consider. You may still have fears to sit with. But choosing from a place of clarity is different from choosing while trying to please others, avoid discomfort, or delay the inevitable.
A Better Way Forward
If you don't yet know what your values are, that's not a problem. It is an invitation. The clearer you are on what drives you, the easier it becomes to make decisions that feel right, not just in the moment, but in the long run.
Feeling stuck is normal. But staying stuck is often a sign that your values have not had a voice in the decision-making process.
Start by giving them one.
Every Tuesday, we offer Tuesday Tips on the Values Identifier Facebook page and here in blog form. These tips offer thoughts and ideas to help you live a life more aligned with your values.
