In a world filled with endless choices and competing priorities, identifying your personal values can be a profound yet challenging discovery. These values serve as defining principles that guide our actions and decisions, helping us to navigate the complexities of our lives with greater ease and confidence. Whether you’re navigating professional relationships or personal beliefs, understanding what is truly important to you will influence every situation you encounter and every relationship you build.
Small changes in your thinking can lead to significant transformations in your daily life. As you begin this journey of self-discovery, it’s essential to reflect on the principles that resonate most with you. Some people find value in respect and dependability, while others prioritize creativity and humor. Whatever your guiding values may be, having clarity around them allows for greater authenticity in every interaction, whether at work or behind the phone.
Leading with your values also enhances your leadership skills and improves your relationships, allowing you to connect on a deeper level with those around you. Insights from expert authors like Schwartz and Greg reveal that when you align your actions with your core beliefs, you begin to attract validation and support from others, ultimately fostering a fulfilling life. The process of identifying and ranking your values may take time, but the end result will leave you feeling more empowered and at ease, knowing that you are living life on your own terms.
Understanding Personal Values
Personal values are the guiding principles that dictate our actions and decisions in everyday life. They form the foundation of our fulfillment and happiness. For instance, individuals like John and Dave may find excitement in different aspects of life–John may prioritize independence and self-sufficiency, while Dave might value communication and relationships. These unique values contribute to how each person perceives their world and the choices they make.
It’s important to stay aware of your values and how they align with your actions. Sometimes, we work on autopilot, defaulting to choices that don’t resonate with our true selves. This can lead to conflicting feelings and a lack of fulfillment. Milton, a psychologist, often emphasizes the need to regularly write down and reflect on personal values to understand any adjustments needed. A helpful practice is to ask yourself insightful questions about what truly matters to you, such as: “What gives me happiness?” or “What makes me feel calm?”
Choosing your personal values isn’t just beneficial for your happiness; it also creates a clearer path for decision-making. For example, if money is a key value, it might influence how you approach your career or spending habits. However, a focus solely on financial gain might lack deeper fulfillment, especially if it comes at the expense of privacy and time with loved ones.
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Mindfulness Journal | This journal encourages reflective writing on personal values and daily practices, promoting greater self-awareness. |
| Value-Based Decision Making Book | A book that guides you through choosing values that align with your lifestyle and career for greater happiness. |
Better, Simpler Strategy: A Value-Based Guide to Exceptional Performance
Ultimately, by understanding and implementing your personal values, you can strengthen your decisions and actions, leading to a more fulfilling life. You must also encourage yourself to make tweaks within your daily routine that align with what you truly care about. This dedication will create a cycle of positivity and contentment, answering the call for a more harmonious existence.
What Are Personal Values?
Personal values are the guiding principles that influence our behaviors and decisions. They are essential for defining who we are and how we want to live our lives. Often, individuals find it easy to identify these values when they are influenced by their groups, environments, or experiences. For instance, people who value health will likely prioritize fitness and nutrition in their daily routines, while those who focus on growth will seek out new learning opportunities.
Understanding your personal values can be a beneficial exercise, as it serves as a source of guidance during difficult events in life. When we face challenges, having a clear understanding of our values can help us navigate through the chaotic waters. For example, if you value self-respect, it will be easier to stand up for yourself in challenging situations, preventing feelings of regret and frustration later on.
Many people, like Monica and Vlad, have shared their journeys towards realizing their personal values through various videos and feedback sessions. Their stories indicate that knowing what you want and the values you hold can help you align your career paths and personal lives with your true intentions. In this analysis, it seems that those who prioritize their values often experience higher levels of fulfillment and happiness.
Reading articles about personal values or engaging in discussions can make the realization process simpler and more straightforward. The nature of these values might be hidden or not immediately obvious; however, with the right mindset, they can be uncovered. Products that support this journey, such as journals or books on spirituality and self-discovery, can be found on platforms like Amazon. For example, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey, or guided journals like “The 52 Lists Project,” can play significant roles in helping you clarify your values.
In order to live a fulfilling life, it’s crucial to establish a number of core values that resonate deeply with you. While defining your values might seem difficult at first, the growth you’ll experience through this journey can keep you motivated and alive with purpose. Ultimately, living according to your personal values is about finding what feels right for you and ensuring that your actions align with your beliefs.
The Importance of Identifying Your Values
Identifying your values is crucial for living a fulfilling life. When you know what truly matters to you, it becomes easier to set goals and make decisions that align with your mission. This focused approach helps you stay committed, even when faced with behavioral problems or challenges in your career. For instance, if health is one of your core values, you will prioritize activities that promote well-being, making it easier to enjoy the journey toward your aspirations.
Many people find themselves in situations where their values clash with their current lifestyle, leading to a sense of dissonance. This discomfort can signal that it’s time to reassess what’s important to you. Whether it’s adaptability in your career or sustainability in your daily habits, knowing your values gives you a framework to navigate these complexities. Writer Milton has emphasized the need for individuals to engage in a simple yet effective process of writing down and reflecting on their values, which helps clarify their focus.
Moreover, understanding your values can enhance your long-term well-being. It encourages you to spend your time and energy on activities that bring joy and fulfillment, rather than getting caught up in societal expectations. For example, if you value creativity, you might discover that a career in graphic design or content creation aligns perfectly with your goals. There are numerous insightful guides available, with some even featuring engaging video content that can provide further clarity and inspiration.
By regularly reviewing your values, you can adjust your goals and plans accordingly. This adaptability is key in today’s fast-paced world, allowing you to overcome weaknesses and set yourself on a path of success and happiness. So, take some time to explore the values that resonate with you–they can drastically change your life for the better.
How Personal Values Influence Decisions
Personal values serve as the foundation of our decisions and actions. That’s because they deeply impact the way we approach daily situations and the long-term goals we set for ourselves. When we discovered what truly matters to us, such as independence, creativity, or social connections, we found a solid platform to guide our choices. For instance, if family and education are high on your list of values, you’re likely to prioritize them over other commitments.
Monica, a counselor, often emphasizes the importance of aligning your actions with your core beliefs. She explains that when personal values drive your decisions, it can lead to a meaningful transformation in your life. By staying true to what you believe and honor, you create a pathway for self-improvement. In contrast, when you stray from those values, it can lead to unfavorable consequences. For example, if you value independence but find yourself in a job that stifles your freedom, the long-term impact on your wellbeing could be significant.
It’s essential to regularly search for areas in your life where your daily decisions might not align with your values. This is where moments of reflection come in handy. Thinning down your list of daily activities to capture what really resonates can help you whittle away distractions. Think about friends, hobbies, or education – are they fulfilling you or just keeping you busy? Milton, a great example of flexibility, illustrates how adapting your goals to your evolving values can lead to a more satisfying life.
As you navigate through decisions, consider the impact of the values you hold dear. For example, if creativity is a core value, investing in resources like art supplies or attending workshops available on platforms like Amazon can help you stay aligned with your passion. Likewise, if social connections mean a lot to you, organizing regular get-togethers with friends can ensure those moments are honored.
In conclusion, making intentional choices based on your values isn’t just a strategy; it’s a lifestyle. It requires you to be ready to embrace change, to adapt goals, and to seek out educational opportunities that align with your beliefs. By doing so, you create a heart-centered approach to living that enriches both your everyday decisions and your overall life experience.
Examples of Personal Values
Understanding your personal values is essential for making choices that align with your true self. It takes self-reflection and analysis to identify what is truly important to you. Many people find that writing down their values serves as a powerful tool for reference. Regularly revisiting these written values helps maintain harmony in your life, adapting to changes and new situations that arise.
Your values significantly influence your aspirations and the decisions you make. For instance, if independence is one of your core values, you might choose a career path that allows you to work autonomously. In contrast, if communication is of utmost importance, you might seek roles that require collaboration and teamwork. It’s all about standing firm in your beliefs and taking actions that reflect them.
Self-improvement is an ongoing process that takes time. You might find yourself needing to adapt your behaviors based on your experiences. For example, if you notice weaknesses in your communication skills, you could decide to enroll in a public speaking course. Weekly workshops or reading relevant books can spark growth in that area, allowing you to achieve your goals more effectively.
Events that challenge your values can be turning points in your life. Perhaps you attended an event that made you question your current state. This might encourage a reevaluation of your priorities, pushing you towards positive changes that reflect your true self. In such times, it’s vital to note what values are missing and how you can integrate them into your daily routine.
Simple adjustments, like tracking your diet or setting aside time for self-reflection, can lead to much more profound changes over time. You might have wanted to make these improvements for a long time, but only by implementing specific strategies do they become possible. Products like fitness journals or self-help books can support your journey towards fulfilling your values.
Ultimately, knowing your values is the first step towards a fulfilling life. These values guide your choices, help you stand firm during tough times, and ensure that you remain satisfied with your life’s direction. Each decision you took shaped who you are today, and by continuously refining your values, you can create a life that truly resonates with who you are.
Core Values Related to Relationships
When we look at the core values related to relationships, it is vital to consider how these values shape our experiences and connections with others. These values can guide us in making meaningful choices that enhance our relationships. Examples of such values include trust, communication, and empathy. Each value has a significant impact on how we interact within our community and beyond.
Having a strong sense of personal values helps us understand our responsibilities to ourselves and others in any relationship. For instance, trust acts as a foundational element that allows friendships to flourish. When we label someone as trustworthy, we give them the benefit of the doubt in difficult times, which can lead to mutual fulfillment. In contrast, if trust is broken, the consequences can lead to profound problems and a transformation in how we perceive that individual.
Additionally, staying true to values such as respect and support creates a comfortable atmosphere for open dialogue. For example, when conflicts arise, engaging in careful communication helps us manage differences without crossing the line into hurtful behavior. With groups having shared values, relationships become more robust, allowing for the exhibition of beneficial habits that can withstand the test of time.
Sometimes, the number of friendships we maintain may lessen as we get older, but the quality of these relationships is what truly matters. Surrounding yourself with a group of people who share certain values can lead to a deeper sense of connection. It seems that establishing these values early on influences our ability to create lasting bonds that span across various aspects of our lives.
For those looking to explore and define their own values even more, there are many resources available on platforms like Amazon.com. Items like guiding books on personal development or journals for self-reflection can provide valuable insights and help you clarify your core beliefs. Knowing what you value in relationships not only enriches your life but also helps you navigate interpersonal connections with clarity and purpose.
Values Emphasizing Integrity and Honesty
Living a life grounded in integrity and honesty is essential for fostering meaningful connections and personal growth. When we prioritize these values, we create a state of trust that not only benefits ourselves but also those around us. This step-by-step process of aligning our actions with our principles can transform our lives in beautiful ways.
Before making decisions, take a moment to hear your inner voice. That’s the voice that often whispers valuable feedback. In addition, consider the independence that comes with honesty. It allows us to stand firm in our beliefs, even when faced with difficult choices. When we are committed to integrity, we know that putting forth an honest effort is what truly matters.
- Start by evaluating your current choices and think about how they align with your core values.
- Engage in a series of self-reflections to understand the emotional consequences of being dishonest.
- Foster connections with those who advocate for integrity, as they can support you in your journey.
Every culture values honesty in its own way. In the search for personal values, strive to understand these differences and how they shape our perceptions. When we choose to embody integrity and honesty, we not only develop ourselves but also influence change in our environments.
For those ready to take action, consider tools and resources available to aid this process. Books like “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott and “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown are exemplary on Amazon, offering knowledge and strategies to enhance your leadership skills around honesty and integrity. Products like journals can also be a great support for reflecting on your journey toward authenticity.
Amazon.com: Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. (Audible Audio Edition): Brené Brown, Brené Brown, Random House Audio: Audible Books...
In the quest for sustainable living, it’s vital to enjoy the moments where you stay true to your values. Instead of retreating into dishonesty when times get tough, use those challenges as opportunities to grow. You’ll find that long-term satisfaction comes from sticking to your principles, thereby reinforcing your emotional resilience.
Ultimately, the beautiful journey of embracing integrity and honesty enriches our lives with purpose. Stay calm and deliberate in your actions, and watch as your strong commitments reshape your reality for the better.
Values Pertaining to Personal Growth
Personal growth is a lifelong journey, and having the right values can significantly influence our path. These values serve as guiding principles, helping us navigate through the complexities of life. A long-standing belief is that spending time in self-reflection can lead to actual discoveries about ourselves. For example, individuals who prioritize personal growth often find that they have more fulfilling lives, as they strive to honor their goals and aspirations.
Several core values are particularly beneficial in this area, such as open-mindedness, which encourages us to consider different perspectives and ideas. This value can lead to powerful shifts in our thoughts and actions. For instance, being open-minded might inspire someone in their sixties to learn a new skill or hobby, thereby enriching their life experience. On platforms like Amazon, books on open-mindedness, such as “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success,” can provide insights and actionable steps to incorporate this value into daily life.
Amazon.com: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (Audible Audio Edition): Carol S. Dweck, Bernadette Dunne, Random House Audio: Audible Books & Originals
Another important value is effort. Success usually comes to those who are willing to put in the work to achieve their dreams. If you believe in the power of consistent effort, you’re likely to see results. The effort could involve making time to read self-help literature, join a personal development group, or even contact a mentor. There are many resources available, like journals or planners, that can help you track your growth and keep you accountable.
However, personal growth is not just about individual effort; it’s also about the community. Being part of a group that shares similar values can encourage you to push beyond your limits. The consequences of surrounding yourself with supportive people can be profoundly positive, often leading to greater fulfillment and success in your endeavors. For example, organization products like group accountability journals can promote this interaction.
In closing, defining and ranking your values is a crucial part of personal growth. By regularly reflecting on these values and their meanings, you can create a roadmap for your life. As you discover what truly matters to you, you’ll likely find that your life becomes more aligned with your aspirations, creating a fulfilling and successful future.
Q&A:
What are personal values and why are they important?
Personal values are the beliefs, principles, and standards that guide an individual’s behavior and decision-making. They serve as a moral compass, influencing how a person perceives the world and interacts with others. Understanding one’s values is important because they help prioritize what matters most in life, leading to greater personal satisfaction and a sense of purpose.
Can you give examples of personal values that people might prioritize?
Some common personal values include honesty, integrity, compassion, family, success, creativity, and independence. These values can vary from person to person, and individuals may rank them differently based on their life experiences and what they find meaningful.
How can someone identify their own values?
To identify personal values, a person can reflect on significant events in their life and consider what principles guided their actions during those times. Journaling, engaging in conversations about values with trusted friends, and taking value assessment quizzes can also help in discovering what one truly values most.
101 Fun Personality Quizzes: Who Are You . . . Really?!
What steps can someone take to live by their personal values?
Living by personal values often involves making conscious choices that align with those values. This may include setting goals that resonate with one’s beliefs, surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals, and regularly reviewing and adjusting priorities to ensure they reflect what is truly valued. Practicing self-reflection and mindfulness can also reinforce commitment to those values.
How can personal values influence relationships with others?
Personal values can have a significant impact on relationships, as they shape how individuals interact and communicate with others. Shared values often lead to stronger connections, while differing values can create conflict. Being aware of one’s own values and respecting those of others fosters healthier interactions and helps in building mutual understanding and respect.
What are personal values and why are they important for a fulfilling life?
Personal values are the principles or standards that guide an individual’s behavior and decision-making. They represent what matters most to a person and influence how they interact with the world. Understanding and living by these values can lead to greater fulfillment because it aligns one’s actions with their true identity. When people know what they value—such as honesty, respect, or family—they can make choices that reflect who they are, leading to a sense of purpose and satisfaction in life.
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An Excellent Read for Organizational Development & Training Professionals. This book, Mindset, by Carol Dweck, has been thoroughly enjoyed by this reader! I have not yet finished it, as I am among three other titles that I bounce among depending upon my mood. Also, this is easy for me as I own a Kindle.I just read, and captured in a Word document, a short chapter in the book entitled, “Corporate Training: Are Managers Born or Made?”. For me, this chapter alone was worth the purchase of the book. This chapter describes a workshop in which managers are presented with concepts and strategies that are growth-mindset oriented.Suppose managers in a workshop did these things: a) reach an understanding of why it’s important that people can develop their abilities, b) identify areas where they once had LOW ability but now perform well, c) write a struggling protégé about how his or her abilities can be developed, and d) recall times they have seen people learn to do things they never thought these people could do. And in each case, they would reflect upon why and how change takes place!The description of the workshop process above, coupled with two suggestions by the author, offer both direction and hope for future organizational leaders. The first suggestion generally was to employ/seek out people who have a growth mindset and a passion for learning. The other brilliant suggestion was making a growth-mindset workshop the first step in any major training program!I have worked in a corporate training environment and in the management development area as an internal consultant, content developer, facilitator of workshops dealing with leadership development, coaching, team leadership, team development, change, personal development (MBTI), communications, motivation, conflict, process improvement, customer service, quality, etc. I witnessed first-hand managers who were not open to learning, to growth; they were stuck in default modes. Many sorted folks out into winner/loser categories that most often became self-fulfilling. I think Dweck’s suggestion to expose these “types” to a growth-mindset workshop could be the catalyst for a real learning change (if we could restrict the use of digital communications devices during the sessions!)I am a bit put-out, displeased at the reviewers who disparaged this book, in one case saying it was of no value beyond the first chapter. To those reviewers I say: I am convinced to the contrary! I am looking for what the book is: it is a valuable resource which offers hope to those in leadership positions trying to improve their own authentic performance and the performance of those they LEAD (not manage). Leaders see the potentials of their people, then provide the direction, support, and feedback that required for individual/team success on task/mission.The book has been a most informative, fun read! I enjoyed reading about the growth mindset of athletes like Michael Jordan.There are MANY positive takeaways from the book, and I think most future readers will find the book very beneficial.
Life-changing. Mindset is another book in the seemingly endless production line of self help Psychology books available. Amazon recommended it to me based on my past purchases, and I decided to give it a try. I can honestly say that this book was eye opening for me. It’s based on the premise that there are two mindsets present in all human beings: The Fixed Mindset and The Growth Mindset. People with the fixed mindset, according to the author, are people who would rather not challenge themselves because it may reveal to them any inadequacy or weakness in their skill level or knowledge base. Conversely, people who possess the growth mindset are people who, regardless if they fail, crave the opportunity to better themselves even if it means admitting that they do not know as much as they thought they did in a particular subject or discipline. The author also dispels the myth of intelligence and natural talent, bringing to light the evidence-based realization that intelligence can be nurtured and cultivated through study and constant, unremitting learning. One’s learning ability, or intelligence, much like the brain itself, is indeed malleable. Fascinating stuff. By the way, another book in the same vein as this one is “Talent is Overrated” by Geoff Colvin. I may have reviewed it a year or two ago – I will have to check the archives of my blog.Halfway through the book I realized that I possessed traits and elements from both the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. I’m a lifelong learner, there’s no question about that. I’m ridiculed by most of my peers and friends for always reading and trying to learn more, but it’s who I am and who I’ve always been, unbeknownst to some. That being said, however, I can remember many times in my life when I was afraid to challenge myself because I felt like it would reveal weaknesses in my knowledge or skill. When I was younger, I used to abhor criticism; I felt like if someone criticized me it was a direct attack on who I was, so I’d respond by becoming defensive. Granted, most people will criticize you just to make themselves feel better or to put you down because they see you’re actually trying to do something; but if someone is more skilled than you are in something and he or she offers some constructive criticism, you should pay attention because that’s an invaluable tool for growth. I’ve learned that over the years without question. When I first started studying Karate (I was probably 11 or 12 years old), I was so full of passion for it. I used to go to my classes with a zest and zeal that rivaled the most enthusiastic of students, but I quickly realized, even though I thought I was a natural, that I had a lot of work to do before I could even consider myself a real student of the martial arts. At first I refused to accept that I wasn’t as strong or as fast as I thought I was. I was stuck in the fixed mindset. I knew I was good at throwing kicks and punches because I taught myself how to fight. I didn’t want to hear anything anyone else had to say. Eventually I learned the hard way that I would have to acquiesce to the instruction of my teachers, but the fixed mindset plagued me for many more years. It wasn’t until I met my Jujitsu instructor about 5-6 years ago that I finally broke the fixed mindset outlook when it came to the martial arts. I was put on my back, painfully, over and over again by my instructor and learned, seemingly for the first time, about “emptying my cup” as the saying goes. I had to unlearn about 15 years of martial arts training and absorb, as a beginner, the teachings of my Jujitsu instructor. Let’s just say ice became my best friend.My fixed mindset even found its way into my guitar studies. I was always a decent guitar player, I guess, but I didn’t start growing as a guitarist until I met someone who shattered my view of my skill level while working at my last job. This guy was the most skilled guitarist I had ever met, and I was humbled by his expertise. I’m still no way near his level of guitar playing, but because of the little time I spent with him I am a much better guitarist than before I met him. It was after meeting this person that I decided to start playing with people who were substantially better than I was. I sought out guitarists all over the place and asked to learn from them. I’d walk around Union Square in the city listening to the other musicians; I’d pay real attention to what they were playing and how they were playing it. I’d walk up to a few guitarists who I thought played beautifully and pick their brains. Some were eager to teach and some didn’t want to be bothered. All in all, I became good friends with two of the guitarists I met. They still reach out to me and teach me technique and theory, and, when I can, I continue my own independent music study. Growth mindset in action.I’ve been sending a lot of my short fiction to professional, established writer friends of mine so that they can criticize and guide me in the hopes that I can be a better writer. A few weeks ago I sent one of my short stories to a writer I work with, and I asked him to be brutal. He read my story and sent me some feedback. I felt like when I was a little kid in school and one of my teachers gave me back one of my writing assignments adorned with her red markings. “Redundant!” “Comma here!” “Be more concise!” “Verb-subject agreement!” Good times. Anyway, my colleague gave me some useful advice and I immediately incorporated his suggestions into some of the stories I’ve already written. Consequently, I have also asked my uncle, who is an award-winning apologetics writer, to advise me and critique my writing. He’s been generous with his time and constructive with his advice. I will keep badgering him with grammar and syntax questions until he disowns me. It’s a price I’m willing to pay.So, back to the book. There is a lot of truth in this book, and I’m probably going to read it again soon. At the end of the book there is a chart that outlines the fixed mindset pathway of thinking versus the growth mindset pathway of thinking. It briefly outlines what someone with each mindset would do, or how they would think, given a circumstance. I have printed this chart out and I keep it hanging on my wall in my room so that I can look at it every day. I still have some fixed mindset elements that seem to permeate my thinking, but I’m more cognizant about them now. I’m working toward becoming a fully growth mindset focused person. I’m a work in progress, like most people, so bear with me.There are a lot of case studies of some great people in this book – Famous athletes, Actors, Politicians, Musicians, Teachers, Coaches – and each case study lends more credence to the author’s message: The Growth Mindset will help you achieve whatever it is you want to achieve. It’s a great book, and I recommend it to anyone struggling with honing his or her skills in anything. The author discusses how the fixed mindset and growth mindset is evident in every facet of life. Whether it is in parenting – how some parents instill a belief in their children that they are geniuses, and these children refuse to grow because they think there is no more growing to be done – or in our professional lives – how to learn from and adapt to unethical and dishonest colleagues (something I live with).
Have fun and try to figure yourself out. This is a great book to use to get to know someone. These personality quizzes can be used at parties, work places, meetings, church camps or anywhere people gather. It can also be used as a personal building tool. Many of the quizzes, though fun, really makes one look at their answers, and consider what kind of a personality they possess. There are keys for each test. The key has at least three categories that explain your kind of personality. As I read some of the quizzes, I found them very mind provoking. I asked myself, “why do I feel this way or that, and why did I answer that way”. Many of the quizzes were fun to see just how I did and I agreed with the outcome described.
Fun Quizzes for Self-Discovery. Contrary to this review’s title this is a fun, light, book which is great for family gatherings or friend get-togethers. The 101 personality quizzes contained in this book range from whimsical (what type of dinosaur are you) to uncomfortably self-revealing (are you the messy roommate?) and each quiz has about 10-30 questions to determine exactly who you are. Everything is kid friendly, and the descriptions at the end of quizzes are surprisingly detailed, and contains multiple tiers (three options for what seem like yes/no questions). This was a fun book for the kids, but I could see older persons also enjoying it as well.
what a fun book. Oh man, what a fun book!! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up this book but I absolutely loved it and so have all of my friends!! It is a great way to learn more about yourself, your friends and in some cases co-workers [ highly recommend this at a holiday party BTW – surveys for the win ]. This book stands out from other books with its SUPER cute design – the layouts and random designs are so fun. So far our favorite survey has been which reality show should you star in… I mean some of those answers definitely surprised us. Real Housewives – as IF!! :p Highly recommend this book!! It’s perfect for any occasion. The best part is it really is appropriate for family or co-workers. This season do yourself [ and friends ] a favor – pick up this book! You’ll learn more about yourself then you could think possible. Highly recommended
“Choose courage over comfort.” Another amazing read by Brown. Overall: If you have not read something by Brene Brown, then you absolutely need to!! This is a great one to start with and the information presented can be applied to all areas of life. Amazing messages, great writing style, versatile applications and this book will make you a better person 10/10Summary: A compilation of thoughts and research on what makes an effective leader. She started by asking what people should do differently to lead during our modern times, when “we’re faced with seemingly intractable challenges and an insatiable demand for innovation.” Truly daring leaders, she explains, are prepared to be vulnerable and listen without interrupting. They have empathy, connecting to emotions that underpin an experience, not just to the experience itself. They have self-awareness and self-love, because who we are is how we lead.”The Good: Brene Brown is brilliant. Her writing is no-nonsense, direct, and very applicable in every area of life. I started this book with the intent of learning ways to be a better leader a work but the material can be applied everywhere; as a significant other, as a parent, friend, at work, etc. Her voice and insight is amazing, inspiring, and I learn something new every time I read one of her books.The Bad: How do we get more people in this world to read material like this??Favorite Quotes:“The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing, it’s about the courage to show up when you can’t predict or control the outcome.”“People are opting out of vital conversations about diversity and inclusivity because they fear looking wrong, saying something wrong, or being wrong. Choosing our own comfort over hard conversations is the epitome of privilege, and it corrodes trust and moves us away from meaningful and lasting change.”“The only thing I know for sure after all of this research is that if you’re going to dare greatly, you’re going to get you’re a** kicked at some point. If you choose courage, you will absolutely know failure, disappointment, setback, even heartbreak. That’s why we call it courage. That’s why it’s so rare.”“We are not here to fit in, be well balanced, or provide exempla for others. We are here to be eccentric, different, perhaps strange, perhaps merely to add our small piece, our little clunky, chunky selves, to the great mosaic of being. As the gods intended, we are here to become more and more ourselves.”
Simple but not simplistic. Read, linger, learn. If there is one ‘business’ book you should read this year – or perhaps for the next ten years – it should be this one.Part of my job requires reading and reviewing 2-4 books and papers a week. Most business books tend to be merely a collection of success stories cherry-picked to prove a thesis. Few deal with the actual challenges of implementation: working with systems, people, and the realities of context, history, and trade-offs. The papers that offer nuance tend to be academic papers that few have the patience to read.This book deftly manages to sidestep all that. The ideas it presents are simple but not simplistic. The questions it raises challenge its own propositions; the conclusions often counterintuitive and therefore insightful. There are examples of firms that succeeded, firms that failed, and what we can learn from such systematic (‘general equilibrium’) thinking. Entire chapters on trade-offs and execution issues bring it back to experiences of leaders and managers in the real world. It is a book that challenges you with the highest of ideals, and yet offers practical suggestions for concrete next steps.This is, of course, not just because the author Felix Oberholzer is an award-winning teacher – he’s earned some of the highest teaching awards granted by Wharton and Harvard – whose research has been published in the very best academic journals in multiple fields. Those are outcomes. It is because the author is a Renaissance man and humanist in the highest sense: he brings insatiable curiosity and a sharp mind, asking questions about what seems obvious, deriving new insights and making new connections. Not just about abstract concepts in economics and management – but about how it plays out in the real world. The chapter on complementors alone – drawing from economic thinking about substitutes and complements – can be the subject for an entire semester’s course. Have many people asked the question of “why supply chains are people too”? How many business book chapters start with the link between Lady Gaga and Lipitor?I particularly adored several chapters pushing the reader to think about what NOT to do, and where firms should UNDER-invest. While startups often face natural constraints and make decisions about trade-offs, larger companies tend to want to try to do everything – or at least be good at everything you put up on Post-It notes during ‘annual brainstorming sessions.’ But what would truly add value to customers, suppliers, employees? And what should be deprioritized?I am torn between writing even more about this book, and leaving you to be delighted with its insights as you read through it yourself.I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is not just about ‘business and strategy.’ It is a compass, a Socratic gadfly that will prompt you to ask questions about what ‘adding value’ means, whether it be for work, your personal life, or anything in between. Read it. Linger. Reread it. Learn.
Shifting our mindset on strategy. I found professor Felix’s book interesting and easy to follow. In his book, Better Simpler Strategy professor, Felix invites businesses to enter the market by asking questions. My favorite question is what makes my business service or product unique from others? I recommend this book to everyone because of his examples of how strategic management creates value for customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and communities with a simple strategy by using the framework of The Value Stick. It also shows great examples of how to market different groups and apply strategic implementation in any type of industry in the business.
A foundational book on business strategy. Strategy is—typically—unnecessarily complicated. The world of business is cluttered with jargon and complexity that spreads like rust, corroding clarity and stalling progress. That’s why Felix Oberholzer-Gee’s Better, Simpler Strategy is a breath of fresh air.Oberholzer-Gee’s core message is simple: the most successful companies do less to achieve more. His “Value Stick” is one of those “that makes so much sense” tools that every organization can use to simplify strategy and make it more effective. It forces you to ask the tough questions and answer them with a plan that actually works.A must read on business strategy.
interested, enlightening, heart opening. this book was amazingnew concepts were presentedbut more importantly for me known concepts got reinforced. it was like validation that I’m not the only one acting in certain ways.thank you for that!
A Powerful Reminder That Growth Starts with How You Think. Mindset was a really meaningful read for me, and it changed the way I look at challenges and personal growth. The core idea — the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset — sounds simple at first, but the more you read, the more you realize how often these patterns show up in everyday life.What I liked most is how the book breaks down how our beliefs about ability and talent can either hold us back or push us forward. It made me think about times where I avoided challenges or got frustrated too quickly, and how much of that came from thinking “I’m just not good at this.” The book does a great job showing that with effort, learning, and perseverance, you can grow far beyond where you started.The examples from sports, business, education, and parenting help drive the point home in a way that’s easy to connect to your own life. I also appreciated how the book shows that a growth mindset isn’t about being positive all the time — it’s about embracing the process and being willing to learn from mistakes instead of seeing them as proof of failure.If there’s one drawback, it’s that some sections can feel repetitive, especially once the main concept is established. But even with that, the message is strong enough that the repetition helps reinforce it.Overall, Mindset is a powerful and eye-opening book that makes you more aware of your own habits and beliefs. If you want to improve how you approach challenges, goals, and personal growth, this is definitely a book worth reading.
Great book. Purchased this book as part of leadership workshop at work, this was good investment.