Once a client has a clearer understanding of their values, they will be able to guide their actions to ensure alignment with those things that they most want to prioritize. Unfortunately, this is not something that they will ever master completely, but instead will need to be practiced over time. Values will mature and priorities will shift as a client ages and their life circumstances change, so helping a client to understand how their values can guide their actions through life’s many transitions is a useful exercise.
Small reminders of a client’s priorities such as a mantra or personal mission statement can act as a tool to keep a client focused on what they are choosing to care about in a particular season of their life. Revisiting these tools over time is also important since they may need to be adjusted or changed.
For example, a client who is pre-tenure may have a different set of priorities for how to spend their time to accomplish their goals than a client who is post-tenure. Or a client who is starting a new job may need to guide their actions in a different way than a client who has been in the same job for the last ten years.
A foundational aspect of coaching is to bring awareness to a client about what is motivating their choices and actions. Focusing on a client’s values, purpose, and priorities are all strategies for keeping their intentions close to the surface as they make decisions and take actions toward their goals.