It’s #MakeItHappenMonday, the day where we channel our passion, align our aspirations, and take proactive steps towards creating your success. Today, let’s shine a spotlight on a crucial part of your journey — aligning your aspirational values with your practiced values.
As an artist, you’re well aware of the importance of having a vision. Your aspirational values are like your career’s compass, pointing you toward the person you want to be and the artist you aim to become. These values are your guiding stars—the principles you hold dear and strive to embody in both your personal and professional life.
However, sometimes we find ourselves following a script that doesn’t quite match the role we envision. This is the gap between your aspirational values (those you aim for) and your practiced values (those you live by day-to-day). When there’s a gap, it can lead to a sense of disengagement and incongruence in your life and career.
For instance, you might aspire to be a performer who constantly improves and grows, yet you find yourself skipping rehearsals or not seeking out new learning opportunities. This misalignment can cause a feeling of being stuck or a sense that you’re not fulfilling your potential.
Closing the Gap: From Aspiration to Practice
Here are concrete steps you can take to align your daily actions with your aspirational values:
- Self-Reflection:
- Identify your top aspirational values. What principles do you want to define your life and career?
- Observe your behaviours over the past week. Do they reflect your aspirational values?
- Set Specific Goals:
- Choose one aspirational value to focus on. What’s one thing you can do this week to bring this value into practice?
- If excellence is your aim, consider setting a goal to seek constructive criticism on your work.
- Measure Your Actions:
- Keep a daily journal of your actions and reflect on how they align with your aspirational values.
- If you value constant learning, note what you did each day to learn something new.
- Accountability Partners:
- Share your aspirational values with a trusted friend or colleague. Ask for regular check-ins to discuss your progress.
- Hold each other accountable to the standards you aspire to.
- Celebrate Progress:
- Recognize when you take steps that align with your aspirational values. Acknowledging progress is crucial for sustained effort.
- Iterate and Improve:
- Regularly review your actions and adjust as needed. Aligning values with actions is an ongoing process.
- Seek Honest Feedback:
- Ask peers or mentors for feedback on how well your actions align with your aspirational values.
- Use this feedback to close the gap further.
Take Action Today
Start this week by choosing one aspirational value that you want to bring into your daily practice. Make a plan, take a step, and turn that aspiration into action. Remember, it’s the small, consistent steps that create the most significant impact over time.
By focusing on aligning your aspirational and practiced values, you create a stronger foundation for a fulfilling and sustainable career. Let’s make this week count by closing the gap and living out the values that resonate most deeply with who we are and who we aim to be.
