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Moving from Values to Action
This lesson explores how to move from eliciting values to taking action. Values and action go hand in hand. We want to promote value-driven action. We are trying to have our clients move in a direction that has some guidance, based on those things that are important to them.
There are number of questions we can ask our clients to help this process.
Step 1 - If you couldn’t fail what would you do? This allows them to identify actions that they have previously failed to achieve, or been too afraid to try.
Step 2 - What is the value that underpins that choice?
Step 3 - What do we need to make room for? What barriers (issues or discomforts) do you need to consider while stepping toward that value?
Step 4 - What is a simple action to start with? This is the committed action.
Craig was keen to play cricket after returning to Sydney after living in France for 15 years. He missed his friends, whom he knew still played in a very competitive social team, and wanted to feel part of their group again. Craig was worried that his old friends would judge his performance and his lack of fitness, and that he would be excluded from conversations that had continued for the two decades he was overseas. He was worried that nervousness – nausea, sweaty hands and even a propensity for migraines - could lead to dropped catches and short innings, or force him to pull out at the last minute.
We talked about the action he could take – action that would perhaps require him to hold some discomfort initially but would lead him to his goal. Craig began working on his fitness, so he would be better prepared physically and feel more confident about his appearance. He also called one of his former friends and asked if he’d be able to train with the team and perhaps fill in if needed. Craig discovered that the group was short of players and hadn’t contacted him because they assumed he was too busy with work or lacked interest in the game and his old friends.
This simple four-step process enables us to consider the actions a client would be willing to take to meet a value. It allows us to explore the fear we hold when moving out of our comfort zone, and other potential barriers to reaching goals. It provides a basis for action and opens possibilities.
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