Deep Inside of You
Values. And a long pending thanks to Prof.Bhupatkar.
The concept of Value System is incredibly intriguing to me.
Within you exists a framework that governs every aspect of your being — your aspirations, your objectives, your behaviour, your anger, your affection, and so on. Unearthing this framework is akin to examining the genetic makeup of your mind. It serves as the code that guides your actions.
Unfortunately, you may go through life completely unaware of its existence — and it quietly affects every part of your being like the infinite microbes in your tummy.
During my postgraduate studies, my institute organized annual sessions called the Process Lab (ISISD). These sessions, under the stewardship of the mighty Professor Ashutosh Bhupatkar, were conducted regularly on campus during the vacations. It was a voluntary program that took place over a period of 3 to 4 days , where trained facilitators guided students in exploring their Value System.
We would gather in groups of 7 to 8 individuals, sitting on the floor for approximately 4 to 5 hours each day, and share significant incidents and anecdotes from our past. The facilitators aided us in identifying the underlying patterns behind our actions. Naturally, participating in these sessions was as thrilling as bungee jumping, as it required a leap of faith before divulging such personal details in front of others. Consequently, many students opted to enjoy their vacations at home and refrained from participating.
I believe these sessions were intentionally designed as group activities rather than personal counselling, so that everyone could realize that despite our individual differences, we all possess a shared humanity. Unlike individual therapy sessions, the primary objective was to recognize that we are not as distinct as we perceive ourselves to be, fostering empathy towards our fellow human beings.
Everybody Hurts!
I attended this program twice, but in my youthful and foolish mindset as a Punjabi, I dismissed them as silly. To me, it was something that students attended when they needed a good cry.
However, as I have grown older and gained some wisdom, I now understand that Prof Ashutosh Bhupatkar wanted to help young students discover their Value System — the foundation that holds their mental world together.
Of course, Bhupatkar taught us the importance of meditation and systems thinking also. But O Dear Lord — that was casting pearls before us swines !
By becoming aware of their personal principles, these students would enter the adult world more prepared, leading to smoother experiences both at work and at home. And not end becoming zombies like the rest of corporatewallas.
PS: And that's why Bhupatkar was pissed off when they changed the Values of his dear institute
Although I am not a psychologist, I have compiled a diverse list of prompts that can assist you in determining various aspects that hold significance in your life.
This list was created using ChatGPT, utilizing the prompt “Make a pointwise value assessment tool worksheet with the intention of identifying individual values”.
The list is not exhaustive — but you’ll get the drift.
I hope that reviewing this list proves a valuable starting point to you.
It will aid in your understanding of why your partner may choose to dedicate their time to work on weekends, while you prefer to spend time with your pets and children.
🎵 Headline Credit: Third Eye Blind — Deep Inside of You 🎵
☘️ Thanks for reading
Understanding your value system involves reflecting on your beliefs, priorities, and principles. Start by identifying what matters most to you in various aspects of life, such as relationships, work, ethics, and personal development. Consider your reactions to different situations and what makes you feel fulfilled or dissatisfied. It's an ongoing process, so be open to reassessing and refining your values as you grow and experience new things.
Here’s a diverse set of prompts to help identify a wide range of values:
1. **Family Relationships:** Rate the importance of close relationships with extended family.
2. **Parenting:** Assess the significance of being a parent or nurturing others.
3. **Siblings:** How much do you value relationships with your siblings?
4. **Extended Family:** Rate the importance of connections with relatives beyond your immediate family.
5. **Intimate Relationships:** Assess the significance of romantic or intimate relationships.
6. **Friendship:** How much value do you place on having a variety of friendships?
7. **Social Circle:** Rate the importance of your broader social network.
8. **Professional Network:** Assess the significance of your professional connections.
9. **Mentorship:** How much do you value being mentored or mentoring others?
10. **Alone Time:** Rate the importance of having time for yourself.
11. **Solitude:** Assess how much you value moments of solitude.
12. **Personal Space:** Rate the significance of having your personal space.
13. **Community Involvement:** How important is active participation in community events and projects?
14. **Cultural Engagement:** Assess the value of engaging with and appreciating different cultures.
15. **Philanthropy:** How much do you value contributing to charitable causes?
16. **Environmental Stewardship:** Rate the importance of protecting and preserving the environment.
17. **Global Citizenship:** Assess the significance of considering yourself a global citizen.
18. **Equality:** How much do you value social equality and justice?
19. **Diversity:** Rate the importance of embracing diversity in all aspects of life.
20. **Education:** Assess the significance of continuous learning and education.
21. **Intellectual Pursuits:** How much value do you place on intellectual and academic achievements?
22. **Professional Growth:** Rate the importance of career advancement and professional success.
23. **Financial Security:** Assess how much you value financial stability and security.
24. **Innovation:** How important is embracing innovation and new ideas to you?
25. **Entrepreneurship:** Rate the significance of entrepreneurial endeavors.
26. **Creativity:** How much do you value expressing yourself creatively?
27. **Artistic Expression:** Assess the significance of engaging in artistic or creative activities.
28. **Music:** Rate the importance of music and its role in your life.
29. **Literature:** How much value do you place on reading and literature?
30. **Physical Health:** Assess the importance of maintaining physical health and fitness.
31. **Mental Well-being:** Rate the significance of mental and emotional well-being.
32. **Spirituality:** How important is spirituality or religious beliefs to you?
33. **Mindfulness:** Assess the significance of practicing mindfulness and being present.
34. **Adventure:** How much do you value seeking new experiences and taking risks?
35. **Travel:** Rate the importance of exploring different places and cultures through travel.
36. **Sports:** Assess how much you value sports and physical activities.
37. **Nature Connection:** Rate the significance of connecting with nature.
38. **Humor:** How important is humor and lightheartedness in your life?
39. **Inner Peace:** Assess the significance of finding inner peace and tranquility.
40. **Personal Freedom:** Rate the importance of personal freedom and individual rights.
41. **Justice:** How much do you value fairness and justice in the world?
42. **Human Rights:** Assess the significance of supporting and advocating for human rights.
43. **Political Engagement:** Rate the importance of being politically engaged and informed.
44. **Civic Responsibility:** How much value do you place on fulfilling civic duties and responsibilities?
45. **Charitable Work:** Assess the significance of volunteering and charitable work.
46. **Integrity:** Rate the importance of acting in accordance with strong moral and ethical principles.
47. **Honesty:** How much do you value being truthful and honest in all situations?
48. **Loyalty:** Assess the significance of loyalty in your relationships and commitments.
49. **Trust:** Rate the importance of trusting and being trusted by others.
50. **Respect:** How much value do you place on treating others with respect?
51. **Empathy:** Assess the significance of understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
52. **Compassion:** How important is it for you to show empathy and compassion towards others?
53. **Kindness:** Rate the importance of being kind and considerate.
54. **Forgiveness:** How much do you value forgiving others and letting go of resentment?
55. **Gratitude:** Assess the significance of practicing gratitude in your daily life.
56. **Generosity:** Rate the importance of being generous with your time and resources.
57. **Altruism:** How much value do you place on helping others without expecting anything in return?
58. **Simplicity:** Assess the significance of living a simple and minimalist lifestyle.
59. **Balance:** How important is it for you to maintain a balance between work and personal life?
60. **Time Management:** Rate the importance of effectively managing your time.
61. **Adaptability:** Assess the significance of adapting to change and uncertainty.
62. **Flexibility:** How much do you value being adaptable in various situations?
63. **Patience:** Rate the importance of being patient and understanding.
64. **Resilience:** Assess how much you value bouncing back from challenges.
65. **Ambition:** Rate the significance of setting ambitious goals for yourself.
66. **Competitiveness:** How much do you value healthy competition?
67. **Leadership:** Assess the importance of taking on leadership roles or responsibilities.
68. **Teamwork:** Rate the significance of collaboration and working effectively with others.
69. **Communication:** How much value do you place on effective communication?
70. **Conflict Resolution:** Assess the significance of resolving conflicts in a constructive way.
71. **Open-mindedness:** How important is being open to new ideas and perspectives?
72. **Curiosity:** Rate the significance of having a curious and inquisitive mindset.
73. **Inquisitiveness:** How much do you value asking questions and seeking answers?
74. **Critical Thinking:** Assess the importance of critical thinking and analytical skills.
75. **Problem Solving:** Rate the significance of being adept at solving problems.
76. **Decision Making:** How much do you value making well-informed decisions?
77. **Ethical Behavior:** Assess the significance of acting ethically in all situations.
78. **Professional Ethics:** Rate the importance of ethical behavior in your professional life.
79. **Stewardship:** How much do you value being a responsible steward of resources?
80. **Legacy:** Assess the significance of leaving a positive impact or legacy.
81. **Future Generations:** Rate the importance of considering the well-being of future generations.
82. **Timeless Values:** How much value do you place on timeless values that endure through time?
83. **Tradition:** Assess the significance of honoring and preserving traditions.
84. **Inclusivity:** Rate the importance of creating inclusive environments.
85. **Self-Reflection:** How much do you value taking time for self-reflection and introspection?
86. **Journaling:** Assess the significance of keeping a journal or reflective diary.
87. **Thriftiness/Frugality:** How important is being thrifty and avoiding wastefulness?
