For those of you who know me well, you’ll know that I’m a Generator-of-Ideas.
New ideas pop in my head ALL the time. This is no exaggeration. I struggle to focus and, at times, struggle to sleep because of all the ideas churning around inside my noggin.
There are a gazillion things I want to do.
Different projects I want to work on. Books I want to write and illustrate. Courses I want to design. Films I want to make. Songs I want to sing. Talks I want to give. Vlogs I want to create. Poems I want to write. Places I want to visit. People I want to connect with. Creative workshops I want to design and host. Concepts I want to grasp. Books I want to read. Stuff I want to learn and understand. Stories I want to listen to (and tell).
On and on it goes… just one Hat-Life… and a gazillion things that I want to try and squeeze in to that one-Hat-Life!!
And – of course – there’s my family… and my home… and the on-OUR-terms lifestyle we’ve been building for the past couple years… and a gazillion more ideas surrounding all that!
Clearly – I am in need of clarity!
And (for my own sanity) – I need to learn how to prioritise all these ideas and create some kind of manageable production-line.
What’s most important? What’s the least important? What needs to be worked on right now? What can wait in the wings for a bit?
Which direction do I go in first?
HOW do I prioritise what’s most important?
A couple of years ago… I remember hearing somebody explain the difference between a belief and a core value.
It looks like this:
If I say that I believe that it’s important to eat healthily and to exercise… then it’s a belief – but – not necessarily a core value. It’s only a core value when I live my life according to that value. When I actually DO eat healthily every day… and I actually DO exercise. Then it’s a core value. It’s not just talk. It’s something that’s deeply integral to the person I am… so much so – that I LIVE the principle more than TALK about the principle.
PS: Clearly healthy eating and daily exercise remain well-meaning beliefs of mine… but not core-values. Today I have quaffed only caffeine and seed bars. And I can’t remember the last time I deliberately set out to exercise my body.
Anyhoo…
So – I remember this guy (the one that told us about beliefs vs. core values) telling us that core values were really helpful things to figure out – if you wanted to learn how to prioritise your dreams and goals. Core values can be used as beacons… and once you’ve figured out your core values – it’s easier to prioritise goals!
So – with that in mind… I have been thinking about – and writing about – some of my core values. And I thought I’d share my processing scribbles with you:
PS: Feel free to share your core values with me… and also – if you have any wise words of wisdom regarding how to prioritise gazillions of ideas… I’m all ears!
I think that some people don’t WANT to be themselves…they want to be like someone else! They imitate those that they hero worship and look up to in the way they speak, the way they dress, the things they like and dislike – and become a clone. Perhaps you should write more about this. I’m sure people like this are insecure with a very low self image. I watch a very good cook on TV imitating Nigela Lawson to the T! I see Evangelists and preachers imitating well know American preachers with all their mannerisms…even speaking in an American Accent though they’ve probably never been there. Singers do the same…there is so little originality. What a shame!
There are people out there who definitely don’t want to be themselves. They don’t want to own their ‘muchness’. They want to be someone else Lets hear your take on it Heath.
I love your core values – and that you are sharing them. Very good timing for me as I am deliberating on whether to apply for a more professional job. I have a master of science degree – it’s work I can do, I should find something that makes more money (e.g., full time, reliable,9-5 job vs. various contracts and bits and pieces of work – but I am a bit afraid that all the things I really LOVE doing will then be left behind. I started a women’s everyday cycling group and advocate for better cycling environments for women and families. But it’s not necessarily fair to my husband to have him shoulder all the responsibility of our finances – but THEN I am here for our son after school and look after all his appointments and events…I work part-time in a bakery right now – which is fun, doesn’t keep me awake at nights, and allows me the flexibility to be home when my son is home and to make sure he has what he needs. He’s 12 so can stay alone but I don’t really want him home alone waiting for parents to show up after work. Anyway, a hard look at my core values would help remind me what I need to do. I hurt myself badly in the past by doing things I SHOULD do when they denied me my core values and am still recovering from it…so food for thought. THANKS!
Hah! Cindy… I can so relate. In fact, I have done it more than once. I have hurt myself MANY times in the past… doing all kinds of well-meaning, well-intentioned things that I felt I *ought* to do… because they were *good things*… (but, not good things for ME… not right for ME)… I hope that I’ve reached the point in my life that I don’t make the same mistake… (again!)… but, it’s definitely something I need to remind myself to think about. Doesn’t come naturally!!