Aligning with our core values
Our core values form the basis of our motivation each day, often without us realising. When we feel that our actions are useful and consistent with who we are, it gives them meaning and helps us to rise to challenges. Psychologists refer to this as “intrinsic motivation”.
In the course of our professional lives, we change and so do our work environments. So, it can be useful to periodically reflect on our situation, looking beyond our immediate day-to-day responsibilities.
- “What does "success" mean for me?”
- “What are the core values that motivate me?”
We need to balance the meaning that we give to our profession with the day-to-day realities of our job. If we don’t link our ideals to day-to-day constraints, our ideals can work against us, creating an internal conflict.
- “Once conscious of my core values, how can I express them?”
- “How can I enrich my work by reframing tasks to align with my core values?”
Take action
As part of the “Efficiency and caring at work” campaign, the Work Well Feel Well website now offers useful resources that can be downloaded, including:
- an exercise to reflect on what you like about your job
- an exercise to explore the meaning behind day-to-day tasks
- CERN’s Code of Conduct, which outlines the Organization's core values – integrity, commitment, professionalism, creativity and diversity – upon which our competency model is built. Our personal core values may align with these and extend beyond them. Many lists of values exist online and can be useful starting points to reflect on our own values.