Values describe behaviours or circumstances which you see as good or helpful.

The word "value" is often used broadly, as in "I value... xxx," and in this sense it can include;

• Fitness
• Good family relationships
• Looking nice
• Being smart
• Learning new things

At BROJO we assign a more fundamental definition to Values, to help you focus on the most useful behaviours, and make the best decisions possible. 

In BROJO a Value should meet 4 criteria;

1. A Value describes behaviour, not results. Applying a value affects your choices and decisions, but may have no impact on the outcome of a particular situation. You could practice the value of Health & Fitness while in a full-body cast, by wiggling your finger. You might not get fit, but you are able to take responsibility to live as best as you can by that value.
2. You could theoretically live by a Value in any physical situation, even being locked in a prison cell or tied to a chair. For example, you could choose to be honest in any restrictive situation, but you couldn’t choose to be athletic. So, honesty could be a value but physical fitness cannot be.
3. Living by a Value does not require approval or participation from anyone else.The whole world could turn on you and you would still be able to live by your values. For example, you can be courageous without needing anyone’s permission, but you can’t be popular without social approval, so popularity cannot be a value.
4. You must be able to apply a Value both internally and externally simultaneously, meaning you can do it for yourself and for others at the same time, without making a sacrifice. For example, being a martyr – hurting yourself to save others – cannot be valued behaviour, because you’re not compassionate toward yourself.

Your values will be personal & unique to you, but to help you get started, here are some examples of value words. These are by no means a complete list; you don’t even have to use these words. But they are examples of concepts that fit the above criteria:

• Honesty.
• Respect.
• Courage.
• Acceptance.
• Responsibility.
• Curiosity.
• Patience.
• Determination.
• Assertiveness.
• Compassion.
• Giving. To yourself, to others, to the World.
• Leadership. The willingness to initiate action, take responsibility, and make decisions. Leadership does not require someone else to follow.

Knowing and living by your Values is are a powerful way to influence your thinking, behaviour, and decisions, to help guide you towards the most beneficial life situation possible. When you behave Authentically, you are living by your Values, even when the circumstances or people around you might disagree.

Different people will assign different levels of importance to the same Value, depending on their priorities, mindset, childhood experiences, and cultural pre-dispositions.

Core Values

Core Values are even more fundamental concepts, of behaviour, which act as the foundation for Values.

Resources

• Identifying Your Core Values
• The Difference Between Values, Virtues, Goals and Outcomes
• Living by Your Values

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