Is it possible to have closely held values that you can also live by at work? Not only is it possible but it is recommended. If you haven’t yet experienced the power of managing by your values, there is no better time to start than at the beginning of a new year. Ten years ago, Ken Blanchard and Michael O'Connor wrote Managing By Values which is one of those timeless gems that is still relevant today. It is an excellent resource for helping you work with your department on clarifying a common vision, a purpose and a set of values.

What if you are feeling that the work you are doing or the way you are doing it is not in keeping with your own personal set of values?

Marcus Buckingham points out in his wonderful book, The One Thing You Need to Know ... About Great Managing, Great Leading, and Sustained Individual Success, "If your values are disengaged from or actively compromised by your work, you must do the same. To stay in it for the money or the security, is in the long run, a bad bargain. It will rob you of the best of you."

What if you are feeling unfulfilled at work?

The New Year is a good time to take stock and see how to work in a way that is more aligned with your personal values. There are three ways to do this:

• Do a values assessment and see how your values match up with your work roles and behaviors.
• Find a coach who can help guide you through the process of evaluating what is truly important to you and how to achieve it.
• Set aside a couple of hours in a quiet place and simply take time to reflect. Ask yourself a few questions, write down your answers and think about what strategies for change (both large and small), start to emerge.

How am I feeling about work right now?
What do I feel most passionate about?
What values do I hold most dear?
Which of these values can I live by at work?
How can I live by more of them?

Change is not easy, and yet all we do is change. Living by your values will keep you enlivened and engaged. The best time to make a positive change is now for both your work life, and more importantly, your whole life.

We're interested in hearing your thoughts on living your values in the workplace. Please share them with us.
~ Jackie Sonnabend