Thread by @senkaholzer

CORE VALUES versus ACQUIRED VALUES

Each of us operates on two different, but competing sets of values: Core and acquired values!

But what are they, where do they originate from and how do they support or block us from being our true selves?

Let's take a deep dive👇
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CORE VALUES: They give us pure joy, they are things that matter more than anything else. Our core values are inherent, meaning that we act on them without any extrinsic influences or rewards. We cannot help it, we naturally act on those values, because that is who we are.
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ACQUIRED VALUES: We all acquire values from many outside sources during our development. They reflect social norms and attitudes and are things we use to judge or compare ourselves with others.

But here’s the problem: 👇
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Because acquired values don’t reflect what innately matters most to us, people who invest heavily in their acquired values while ignoring their core values often find themselves emotionally exhausted, and hungry for meaning, purpose, and genuine fulfillment.
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Our research on values suggests that acquired values originate from 3 main sources:
- our microenvironment
- our generation
- our culture.

I can almost hear the burning question:

How do I tell the difference between a core and an acquired value?
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For me, the whole process of distinguishing between core and acquired values felt exactly like peeling an onion. Some layers came of easily, but some were sticky and persistent and brought on a few tears.

Here’s what you can start considering: 👇
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My Hot List of DJ?
Think of your core values as your favorite music. The music you play when you feel free to be you. When you act on your acquired values you are playing music for the crowd. You may hate the Top 40, but you play it because it’s what others want and expect.
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Just a Fling or Love of Your Life?
Pursuing our acquired values gives us momentary flashes of happiness that don’t last. In contrast, the positive effects of aligning ourselves with our core values accumulate over time and brings long-lasting happiness.
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Why does it matter?
Acting on your core values helps you satisfy your basic needs (autonomy, competence and relatedness) and brings you lasting fulfilment. Acquired values are what society is telling you is good for your basic needs, but may not be the case for you (at all!).
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Our research using coaching practices rooted in this new concept has shown that relative focus on acquired values negatively correlates with wellbeing.
/10 #wellbeing #science

If you liked the thread I would appreciated If you'd share it with others.

This was a primer on the topic of human values I will cover in the future.

Stay tuned and motivated!
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#values #personaldevelopment #lifecoaching
#science #BeYou #wellbeing

I will write a series of threads covering BIG IDEAS in personal development including my own research.

The topics will be:
1.Core versus Acquired values
2.The Rhetoric-Reality Gap
3.The Expectation-Reality Gap
4. and many more...