🌱 Getting Clear on Your Values, Priorities, and Decisions
By: Dr. Jenn Merthe-Grayson, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Clarity is power 💡. When you know what you value, what deserves your time, and how you make choices, you stop drifting and start living on purpose. Without this foundation, it’s easy to feel pulled in a dozen directions, leaving you stressed and unsatisfied.
1️⃣ Clarify Your Core Values
Values = your inner compass 🧭. They point you toward the kind of life you want to build and protect you from chasing someone else’s version of success.
✨ Ask yourself:
What principles do I want guiding my choices?
How do I want people to describe me?
What am I not willing to compromise on?
Write them down 🖊️. Even a short list (like integrity, growth, family, courage) can become a filter for daily decisions.
2️⃣ Align Priorities With Your Values
It’s one thing to say “family matters” or “health is important” … but do your calendar 🗓️ and energy 🔋 reflect that?
Practical step:
✔️ List your top 3–5 values
✔️ Look at how you actually spend your week
✔️ Adjust so your time + energy line up with your true priorities
3️⃣ Use Values as a Decision-Making Tool
Decision fatigue is real 😵💫. But when you filter choices through your values, things get clearer.
Instead of asking: “What should I do?”
Try asking: “Which choice best honors my values?”
💡 Example:
Value = Growth 🌱 → take the stretching, uncomfortable opportunity
Value = Family ❤️ → turn down the promotion that steals your evenings
4️⃣ Clear Decisions Change the Game
When you lead with values + priorities, you stop reacting and start creating 🚀. You’re no longer living on autopilot — you’re defining life on your own terms.
✨ Final Reflection
Clarity doesn’t erase challenges, but it does reduce regret 🙌. When your choices line up with your deepest values, life feels more authentic, purposeful, and sustainable.
👉 Try this week: ask yourself, Am I living in alignment with my values, or just reacting to what comes my way? The answer may be your very own game-changing moment.