Possibility

INTEGRATE WELL VALUES

Over the past decade, I’ve done quite a bit of core values work. I was introduced to the concept of core values by Brene Brown in Dare to Lead. I’ve lead workshops on core values to my teams and groups while also doing the work to establish my own and build a life that is very values based.

I define a core value as something so engrained in who we are and what we believe, that when we are living OUT of those values, everything else feels out of whack. I know you know that feeling. For me, I feel sluggish, heavy, sometimes scattered and distracted, I feel in reaction mode when I’m living out of my values.

At the top of my core values list - both personally and in my work - is POSSIBILITY!

When I’m in possibility, I operate as if it’s all going to work out. I’m not living in fear, worry, or doubt. I’m in commitment and faith and trust - in the universe, in myself, in my community, in humanity. I’m asking, “What if…?” or “What else is possible?” (I have chills just typing that question out!"). I’m setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, AUDACIOUS, RADICAL, Time-based) goals. I’m holding the picture of my vision and my future, trusting and knowing it will become a reality.

I was recently interviewing my husband, Kris, as part of an annual “life upgrading” process I do and when I asked him what he appreciates most about me, he responded, “Most people see the world for what it is, you see the world for what it could be.” (Cue my heart swelling) The fact that he sees that in me lets me know that I am actively living into POSSIBILITY as a core value. It’s not just talk! And sometimes it’s intentional to be living in to possibility, other times it’s an active practice. But it’s worth the intentionality because if I’m not, I’m not being authentic and everything else in my life feels off.

I supposed possibility is the opposite of impossible. In 2020, I set a declaration that I would use when I slipped out of possibility: My boldness breaks through the impossible!” (Thank you, Mishelle Kost, for supporting me in creating that declaration!). Until 2021, I doubted if being location agnostic life and traveling full time was possible for me and my family. But it’s by truly being disciplined in possibility and supporting my husband in staying in possibility, that we were able to make this dream a reality. Kris’s default historically has been doubt and worry. He has been saying “No” to this dream of being location agnostic for 8 years. Once he was able to define his commitment and with my support in staying in possibility, we were able to take the leap!!

Jim Collins was a guest on a podcast I listened to years ago where he shared that creativity is one of his core values. And to ensure he is living in alignment with that value, he “logs” 1,000 hours a year in creativity. This can look like writing, having a thought provoking conversation, mentoring someone, teaching, etc, etc, etc. I LOVED this practical application (my teacher, Susanne, calls me the Queen of Practicality), so I implemented that in my life with my core values. For me, practically being in possibility looks like doing vision and goal work, participating workshops lead by people who inspire me, creating this website and blog, creating our travel logistics and plans, meditating, even home schooling my daughters (holding the picture that I will be able to support her education).

What that means for clients that I work with is that I will see a possibility that they may not see yet. I see their potential and the possibility of achieving their vision and goals and building their own values based life before they do! I hold the picture for my clients to achieve their dreams right alongside them!

Because I hold my core values so near and dear to me, it’s one of the first things I support clients in doing. Defining your own set of core values. Because it acts as a way to ground yourself in authenticity and your higher self. It can be a north star - a way to support setting boundaries in your life, giving you the confidence to say “No” lovingly to the things that fall outside your values and “YES!” to what feels in alignment to you!

Have you defined your set of core values? If so, in the past 7 days, how have you lived into those values? And if you haven’t gotten fully clear on these, please spend some time on this for yourself. It’s truly foundational work that will serve you in so many ways. I’m holding the possibility for a truly values-based life!! And if you would like my support, please reach out and let’s work together!

I also have to acknowledge before publishing this blog the amount of times spell check had to help me out when typing the word ‘possibility.’

Can it be a core value if you can’t even spell it? I kid, I kid.