Monday Memo 468: A Values-Driven Life

I am regularly asked one question when I teach on goals or productivity: “There are so many things I want to do and feel like I need to do—how can I find the time to do them?” My answer is that you cannot find time; you already have all the time there is—24 hours every day. Often you must stop doing something before you can do the things you need or would like to do. I have found that a key is to clarify your values and then allow your goals and daily tasks to flow out of your values system. Let me give you an example.

A SECOND DOCTORATE

One of my ten governing values is that “I am a learner.” I don’t want to stop learning or I will stop growing as a leader and person. Since learning is a value, I set a goal every year to read or listen to five books every month. One year, I read about 70 books. In the five years prior to that, I listened to our read almost 300 books! Do you see how my goal isn't something I have to do? It's something I choose to do, and it's firmly rooted in my personal values. It is like brushing my teeth; I read every day because it is important to me. I don't even have to think or pray about it.

I once completed a grueling class schedule and study program to earn my second doctorate at the age of 61. Why did I do that? I did it because learning is a value. What's more, I did it because I love it. Identifying your values isn't the most exciting work you can do, but it's important work nonetheless. With that in mind, I have an assignment for you.

YOUR TURN

1. Go to my website and read or download the article entitled “How to Define Your Governing Values." This article is an excerpt from my book, So Many Leaders, So Little Leadership (available through Amazon). Read through the article to get an idea of how I recommend you go about recognizing and writing our your values. Don't worry if it seems a bit strange or awkward. There's no wrong way to do it. You won't be tested; this is for your eyes only!

2. Set aside one or two hours this week. Get up early each morning, don’t watch television this week, but do whatever you have to do to find two hours this week. Promise yourself that you will do this and keep the commitment. (If you already have your values defined, is it time to review what you have?)

3. Once you have identified your values following my instructions, you can then begin to set goals and daily activities focusing on things that you value, things that should govern your life and time by their prominent place in your heart.

4. Most importantly, you may have to have a stop to-do list that will free up some time currently devoted to the urgent that you can then invest in the important.

There is no shortcut to being productive and self-disciplined. If you are serious about answering the question, “How do I find time to do important things?”, however, you must be serious about defining and writing out your values. This exercise is an important step in being more purposeful, so get to work and write out those values today. Then let your values drive your decisions and guide your life of purpose and goals. As you do, I know that you will have many great weeks, including the one to come.