Find Your Why: Discover the Values That Motivate You (Tuesday Tip #11)

We all have moments when we feel deeply motivated, unexpectedly excited, or completely energized. Maybe it's during a late-night brainstorming session, a heart-to-heart conversation, or a spontaneous hike that leaves you feeling refreshed and alive. These moments stand out for a reason. They connect to something meaningful inside you. That something is your values.

Understanding what drives these feelings can help you live with more intention and clarity. When you pause and ask, "Which value is driving this feeling?" you begin to uncover your 'why.'

Discovering the Power of Your 'Why' 

Your 'why' is the reason something matters to you. It's the underlying values that fuel your motivation, shapes your preferences, and influences your choices. And when you're aware of the values behind your why, you're in a better position to make decisions that align with what matters most to you.

Think of your 'why' as an anchor. When life feels busy, overwhelming, or directionless, returning to your values helps you refocus. It reminds you what you're really striving for. This doesn’t always necessarily appear in terms of external goals, but in how you want to feel and who you want to be.

Living in Alignment with Your Values 

When your actions align with your values, things just feel right. You experience a sense of flow, clarity, and satisfaction. Knowing your 'why' helps you:

• Choose projects and people that energize you
• Say no to things that drain or distract you
• Make decisions that feel grounded, even when they’re hard
• Build a life that reflects who you are, not just what you do

Everyday Clues to Your 'Why' 

Not sure where to start? Begin by paying attention to the moments when you feel most alive. Look for the patterns in what motivates you:

• You might feel inspired when mentoring others because you value Service to Others or Cooperation.
• You may come alive in a creative project because you value Creativity or Self-Expression.
• You might feel proud of sticking with a recent hard decision because you value Trustworthiness or Self-Control.

When you recognize which values are present in those high-energy moments, you gain powerful insight into what truly drives you.

Try This Simple Practice

1. Think about something that recently made you feel energized, proud, or excited.
2. Ask yourself: "What was it about that moment that felt so good?"
3. Identify the value or values behind that feeling.
4. Then ask: "How can I create more moments like this in my life?"

Tuning into your 'why' is a habit worth building. The more you recognize the values behind your everyday highs, the more confident, clear, and fulfilled you’ll feel. And over time, your values become a consistent thread that weaves meaning through your daily choices.

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.