Identifying What Truly Matters: A Practical Guide

Ever feel like you’re chasing after things that should make you happy, but don’t?

You’re not alone.

Many of us know what truly matters - family, friendships, passions - yet we still get caught up in the hustle.

We compare ourselves to others, constantly trying to keep up or get ahead.  We often think more money, a bigger house, or a fancy title will make us happier.

The things that truly bring us joy and fulfillment are often right in front of us, waiting to be recognized and appreciated.

But why do we fall into this trap?

Why do we so often focus on things that don’t matter?

• Societal pressures like keeping up with the Jones'
• The desire for validation and success
• The influence of media and advertising

All of these influences in our lives tend to link happiness to material success.

So maybe it's a good time to pause and ask ourselves:

What truly matters to me?

Identifying what genuinely matters in your life can be a transformative experience.

It helps focus our energy on the things that bring us more meaning, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose.

This week we are exploring the importance of identifying what truly matters in our lives and why that’s important for greater happiness. 

We’ll conclude with some practical tips you can take to determine what’s most important in your own life.

Let’s dive in!

Why Identifying What Matters, Really Matters

Knowing what truly matters in life is like having your own personal “life compass." 

It helps us make choices that match who we really are.  When we know what’s important to us, we can decide to do things that make us happy and excited about the future.

This clarity helps us avoid getting caught up in things that don’t matter, which can lead to stress, dissatisfaction and burnout.

Instead of living on autopilot or conforming to others' expectations, it allows us to create a life that resonates with who we really are.

Moreover, identifying what matters most can prevent feelings of regret.  

Life is full of choices.

"Our life is a result of the choices we make.  If you don't like your life, it is time to start making different choices." ~ Anonymous

Without a clear sense of purpose, it's easy to invest time and energy into things that don’t bring lasting joy.  Yet by understanding what really matters in life, we ensure that our lives will be filled with meaning, purpose, and greater happiness.

This awareness not only enhances our personal and professional growth but also fosters deeper, more meaningful relationships.

Your Personal “Life Compass" for Greater Happiness

Happiness is not just about experiencing pleasure.

It's about finding meaning and fulfillment.

When we make choices in our lives in accordance with what truly matters to us, we experience a profound sense of satisfaction and peace.

This alignment brings coherence between our inner world - our thoughts, beliefs, and values - and our outer world - our actions and decisions.

This harmony is a key ingredient for lasting happiness.

"Life presents many choices, the choices we make determine our future." ~Catherine Pulsifer

Studies have shown that people who live in accordance with their values and purpose experience higher levels of well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction.

They are less likely to fall into the trap of comparison.

Instead, they find contentment in knowing they are living true to themselves.

This inner happiness is a powerful antidote to the stress that often comes from trying to meet external expectations by being someone we are not.

5 Practical Tips to Identify What Truly Matters in Your Life

1. Self-Reflection and Journaling

Take time to reflect on your life experiences, both positive and negative.

• What moments made you feel truly alive and fulfilled?
• What activities or situations drained your energy or left you feeling empty?
• Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection.  Write about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences regularly.

Over time, patterns will emerge that reveal your true priorities. Reflecting on these insights can help you identify what genuinely matters to you.

2. Clarify Your Core Values

Core values are the fundamental beliefs and principles that guide our behaviors, decisions, and define what is most important to us in life.

• To identify your core values, make a list of values that resonate with you (such as honesty, compassion, freedom, growth).
• Choose the top five that you feel are most important.
• Ask yourself why these values matter and how they influence your life.

Knowing your core values helps you make decisions that are aligned with your authentic self and create a sense of purpose.  For a more in-depth look at your Core Values - Download my free workbook!

3. Envision Your Ideal Future

Visualization is a powerful technique to understand what truly matters.

• Close your eyes and imagine your life five, ten, or twenty years from now.
• What does it look like?  
• Who are you with?
• What are you doing?
• What achievements make you proud?

Visualizing your ideal future helps you identify your long-term goals and dreams. It brings clarity to what you want to prioritize and focus on to create a fulfilling life.

4. Listen to Your Intuition and Emotions

Your intuition and emotions are powerful guides in identifying what matters.

• Pay attention to your gut feelings and emotional responses to different situations.
• What makes you feel joy, excitement, and peace?
• What causes discomfort, frustration, or sadness?

These emotional cues can provide valuable insights into your true desires and priorities. Trusting your intuition helps you stay true to yourself and make choices that align with your inner values.

5. Seek Feedback from Your Inner Circle

Sometimes, another’s perspective can help us see things that we may not see for ourselves.

Have conversations with trusted friends, family members, or mentors who know you well.

Ask them for their perspective on what they see as your strengths, passions, and what they believe truly matters to you.

Feedback from others can provide a different viewpoint and help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

Concluding Thoughts

Identifying what truly matters in life is a journey of self-discovery that helps us to live a more meaningful life, full of purpose and happiness.

It's about intentionally taking stock of our values, passions, and goals, and ensuring these ideas help guide the choices we make in our lives.

Remember, life is short.

Focus on what matters and let that guide you towards a life of meaning and happiness.

So, what really matters in your life?

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My goal is to help inspire a happier world one person at a time.

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Hi - I'm Tracy and I coach physicians (and other high achieving professionals) who feel stuck and want more out of life, to create the life they really want and be happier.

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