Are your Health Goals in Alignment with your Personal Values?

• Do you find yourself setting wellness goals and then notice you quickly fall off course or have a hard time with follow through?
• Did you set New Year’s Resolutions this year and you have already lost the motivation to implement these changes?
• Or maybe, you have achieved success with a health goal and are left feeling unfulfilled or satisfied.

You are not alone and the answer to this may be in better understanding your values.

Dr. John Demartini, a renowned human behavior specialist, emphasizes the profound impact of values on every aspect of our lives, from our careers and health to our relationships and finances. Applying his framework for understanding what truly drives us and aligning our actions with our core values can unlock our full potential and fulfillment.

What are Personal Values, and Why Do They Matter? 

Values are what we hold most important in our lives. They are the driving forces behind our decisions, actions, and motivations. They represent what we perceive as essential for our happiness, fulfillment, and overall well-being. What is important to understand is that these values are unique to each individual and form the foundation of our personal hierarchy. 

Think of it this way: if you value your children above all else, you'll likely prioritize spending time with them and learning about how to best parent them, even if it means sacrificing other things, like studying other topics, advancing your career or socializing with friends. Conversely, if your top value is career advancement, you might prioritize professional development and working extra hours, even if it means sacrificing your health or relationships. Neither is "right" or "wrong" – it's about understanding what truly matters to you and what motivates you.

Once you understand your top values, you can more easily see how creating healthy habits and practices enables you to best show up for the things you value most. For example, if your back pain is getting in the way of playing with your children/grandchildren, or your insomnia is impacting your ability to focus on your business, you will be more inspired to prioritize healthy actions to overcome these limitations.

Signs You May be Out of Alignment with Your Values: 

When we live a life that's out of sync with our values, we can experience a range of undesireable consequences: 

• Lack of Motivation: We might struggle to feel enthusiastic about our work, healthy practices or other commitments. Hello resolutions or personal goals that don't stick! 
• Feeling Unfulfilled: Even if we achieve external success, we can still feel empty or dissatisfied. This can be due to achieving success in an area that you don't personally value, or living according to someone else's values.  
• Stress and Burnout: Constantly going against our values can lead to chronic stress and exhaustion. 
• Relationship Conflicts: Misunderstandings and disagreements can arise when partners have different value systems and don’t understand one another in this context.  You don't need to have the same values, but it is extremely helpful to understand what one another value most.
• Health Issues: Chronic stress and emotional distress can manifest in physical health problems like chronic pain, fatigue, gut issues, auto immune disease, anxiety or depression. I have seen this over and over in the 24 years in my physical therapy practice. The body is a messenger and it sends signals when we are out of alignment in this way. I have witnessed amazing transformations when people align with what they value the most and their health and well-being naturally takes priority. 

Discovering Your Unique Value Hierarchy: 

Dr. Demartini's methodology provides a structured approach to identifying your core values. It involves a process of introspection and self-inquiry, asking yourself questions like: 

• What do I spend most of my time on?
• What do I spend most of my energy doing?
• What do I spend my money on? 
• What do I think about most often? 
• What do I enjoy talking about?
• What excites me the most? 
• What would I do with my time and energy if I didn't have to worry about money?
• What am I most grateful for? 

By honestly answering these questions, you can begin to uncover your unique value hierarchy – the specific order of importance of your core values. Common personal values include relationships, health, family, financial security or independence, personal autonomy, self expression, nature, community service or social justice, artistic or musical expression, personal growth and development, travel or spirituality and faith.

By exploring this topic, you may also identify that you spend more time and energy on things that you ultimately don't value, like scrolling news on your phone, circling in negative or fear-based thought patterns, streaming shows to distract you, or staying stuck in a situation or relationship that isn't serving you. Identifying this can be so powerful and can support you to get back into alignment with yourself.

Living a Values-Driven Life: 

Once you understand your values, you can start making conscious choices that align with them. This can lead to: 

• Increased Motivation and Productivity: When you're working on something that aligns with your values, you'll naturally feel more motivated and engaged and able to carry out the goals you set for yourself.
• Greater Fulfillment and Satisfaction: Living a life that's true to yourself brings a deep sense of purpose and satisfaction. 
• Improved Relationships: Understanding your own values and those of others can lead to more harmonious and fulfilling relationships. 
• Reduced Stress and Increased Well-being: When your actions align with your values, you'll experience less internal conflict and greater peace of mind. 

The Incredible Power of Self-Discovery: 

Knowing your values is the cornerstone of self-awareness. It helps you understand why you react to certain situations, what truly motivates you, and what brings you a sense of purpose. This self-knowledge is invaluable for personal growth and making long lasting and healthy changes in your habits and behaviors. I've witnessed firsthand the profound impact on my clients' health and well-being when they tap into the power of personal alignment. This simple awareness can unlock the energy and motivation needed to prioritize self-care. It's not about changing who you are, but honoring what truly drives you. This self-awareness acts as a compass, guiding your life and revealing the tools you need to thrive.