I like all these things, yes indeed.

[flexagon]

A bunch of guides to simplifying life (one example) seem to start with identifying one's values, something so goddamn grandiose and abstract that I tend to blank out entirely.

That's why I found this list of values really helpful. Reading all the way down, here are some of the ones that jumped out at me...


Integrity.

Playfulness. <-- this one wasn't on the list but it's here anyway.

Precision. Self-control.

Endurance, soundness, stability.

Elegance.

Loyalty.

Financial independence.

Health.

Growth.

Balance, composure.

Comfort. Wealth.

Thoughtfulness.

Humor, cameraderie.

(I have developed an allergy to the word Impact, thanks to work where they just lurrrrve this word.) Usefulness.

Justice.

Maturity, watchfulness.

Comments

[nevers.livejournal.com]

cool, thanks for sharing! wow, your list is very different from mine. also playfulness was totally on that list!

[flexagon]

so what would've been on YOUR list? only if you feel like sharing, but I am indeed really curious about others. I thought many of those words were positive, but the ones I listed are the ones that popped.

[nevers.livejournal.com]

i was not nearly as economic as you in listing the words that popped, but i've tried to group them into categories that are hopefully not too broad to be meaningful. interestingly, i don't straight-up have creativity or productivity on my list, either, although i feel like everything on this list is a prerequisite.

1. enthusiasm: delight energy enjoyment joy playfulness vigor vitality zeal spirit
2. serenity: acceptance calmness contentment flow peace willingness
3. connection: compassion empathy kindness warmth sensitivity
4. persistence: intrepidness resilience drive daring fearlessness
5. curiosity: exploration discovery wonder
6. order: simplicity purity balance stability structure
7. rigor: industry discipline depth clear-mindedness usefulness practicality
8. optimism: faith trust hopefulness
9. flexibility: agility adaptability

[nevers.livejournal.com]

the words you chose, and the words that stuck out as being "program" words, are making it clear why i have trouble with what i have trouble with: integrity, financial independence, maturity, dependability -- nope, not really interested! also, health and rest were on my list, but they didn't make it into the list above.

(although now that i look at all those words, i think they sound great, and i'd certainly value them in a partner or friend)

[flexagon]

The words you chose are great too -- you're right, our lists are pretty different and it's pretty funny. :) I really don't care about connectedness or curiosity or optimism.... well, not as VALUES anyway. Like you, the moment I list them out as "unvalued" they start to sound pretty fantastic.

We overlap on persistence and playfulness, so I guess that explains the acro. :D

And I also like simplicity / balance / stability / structure.

[flexagon]

P.S. How the hell did I not say creativity or at least productivity? That is very odd.

[rifmeister.livejournal.com]

The list of values itself was TLDR!

[elbren]

Its length was helpful to me - I glanced over it, and anything that held my eye for a whole moment got copied over to my list. If I stopped to actually read them I'd think about "do I value this" and then i'd get caught in loops of
"whether I should value this more", so the glancing exercise was very informative, in that the results seem true enough that I don't feel comfortable posting them publicly.

[flexagon]

the results seem true enough that I don't feel comfortable posting them publicly.

Ooh, nice. That's when you know you've really got something. The last time that happened to me was from a book... I learned where I get my drive and energy from (psychologically) and it was pretty scary to think about giving that newly-found "key" to anyone.

[dancing-crow.livejournal.com]

that is an awesome list! I like your list too, and I agree completely that (*startpompousvoice) "defining your values" really and truly halts me completely.

I know I value:

rigor in thinking
flexibility in mind and body
forthrightness/straightforwardness
creativity but that includes a deep need for me to be creative
humor and kindness (must be matched)
avoidance of stupid

[flexagon]

I like your list. Avoidance of stupid is definitely good.

I also like not conforming for conformity's sake... iconoclasm isn't quite the word. I don't think there is a single word for it. But I value it in myself and other people, and it's missing from my first list.