Knowing Your Values

Self-Reflection Questions

• What are my values?
• Do my current actions reflect those values?

Values are those core ideas you have about the worth of something, and the judgments you make about what is important in life.

The values we form help determine how we use our time, e.g. if there are 30 spare minutes, someone who values orderliness and needs a tidy space to think clearly may spend that time organizing their work and home space, while someone who places a higher importance on fitness may go for a run.

Our attitudes or opinions stems from our values which, in turn, result in our actions. When our actions (e.g. chronically handing in papers late) and our values (e.g. being a responsible student) don't match, we tend to feel conflict.

Students generally place a high priority on successfully completing their university degree (a value), think they are capable of doing this (an attitude), and are willing to persist and do whatever it takes to get there (actions).

Motivation is one of the keys to success, and internal motivation happens when things are in line with our values. There are strategies that can help you understand the link between your values and your time management habits.

 

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