Defining Moments: The Importance Of Identifying Personal Values

Personal values provide an internal reference for what is moral and establishes between right and wrong. Values are a reflection of beliefs and what you are willing to support. Identifying personal values is important in that it provides a roadmap for making decisions in life that are both ethical and moral as it adheres to our values. “Without an awareness of personal values, it can be difficult to justify a decision on ethical or moral grounds in a way that others would find persuasive” (“The manager’s role”, 2014). The more that choices line up with personal values the better we feel about ourselves and the greater the sense of satisfaction.
An individual’s values are a culmination of life experiences that are influenced by family, friends, peers, religion, education, and relationships. As mentioned above, values provide a roadmap for life by

Badaracco (1997) introduced the concept of defining moments as life-shaping choices at which “during a few precious moments [an individual] holds his life in his hands and irrevocably defined its course” (pp. 54). Defining moments reveal something hidden and “give a sharp, clear view of something previously obscure. In every case, a defining moment reveals something important about a person’s basic values and about his or his abiding commitments in life” (Badaracco, 1997). With the concept of defining moments in mind, I can recall several instances, or more so periods of time, that ultimately shaped who I am and what I will become. These “defining moments” were not filled with happiness and they were not easy. In fact, I believe that an individual’s personal values become more evident during times of adversity and heartache rather than success and joy. It is when we are put to the test that our true values shine and we learn exactly who we are and what we stand