The Role of Core Values in Unlocking Ease

Yesterday, a friend asked me, “What things do people most commonly come to you for?”

On the surface, people come to me hoping for change in different areas like: improving their physical health habits, navigating transition into a new season of life, or managing stress.

However, upon processing through what makes these goals relevant and important to the individual, we uncover that these desires stem from the same tension: aspects of our daily life don’t line up with our core values. Or, in other words, the way we want to show up every day differs from how we actually show up.

Borrowing from coach Jeff Caliguire’s words, coaching is unique because it engages the imagination. It gives us a space to picture how we want to show up every day and what matters most to us right now. Over time, this process helps us connect our goals to our core values. And by taking small steps towards this vision, we begin to navigate daily life with more ease.

To reflect on what matters most to you right now, try asking yourself one of these questions:

• What qualities do you admire most in others, and why?

• What are you doing in daily life that brings you energy? What values are being honored there?

• Where do you feel dissatisfaction or conflict? What values might be missing or compromised?

• When you’re at your best or your true self, what values are you embodying?