Values – Choosing what matters most

Our values represent our beliefs that guide how we act. In terms of mental performance or sport psychology, our values are infinitely present, unlike goals that typically have an endpoint. While you can set a goal of winning a championship or receiving a certain grade on a test, you value the process of gaining knowledge and learning.

It is important you name your values so you can identify what guides the decisions you make. When you identify your values, you can start to make decisions that align with you; you can start to choose what matters.

For example, if you value health and wellness you might choose to go to bed early instead of staying up late on your phone. You make this decision because your recovery and sleep are essential to your health and wellness, a core value of yours. 

Another example: you value social connection and learning but you have a lot of studying to do with a test the next day and a friend asks you to hang out. How do you navigate this? The first step is to stop and check in with yourself and your values; what aligns most with you and your circumstance? If you were choosing based on your values, learning might speak louder than social connection in this moment due to the fact that you have a test tomorrow and you could schedule another time to hang out with your friend.