Start Right Where You Are

Who are you? What brings you the greatest Joy? What do you make a stand for? What makes you furious? What brings you the greatest meaning?

Before we can begin on our journey to becoming a thriving woman physician and leader, we have to start with you. Only you.

We are all leaders because we are the leaders of our own lives. If we aren’t clear who we are and what we stand for, we are not moving through life with clarity. We are not leading others with clarity. And we are not making the impact we have the capacity to make on the world.

What is core to who you are? What are your values that can’t be budged? What are your non-negotiables?

Knowing without a doubt who we are, what we stand for, what our core values are, and what our non-negotiables are, is the very first step to becoming truly authentic, empowered women and leaders. We have to know our core values and purpose, to truly step into own inner worth and power.

Our core values are not what you think should be your values, what others in your life tell you they should be, or what you think society wants them to be. Your core values belong only to you.

Questions to ask yourself to Identify your Core Values:

What are the “peak” experiences or moments in your life? What brings you so much joy you could burst? What pisses you off and makes you so angry? Who is someone you admire? Do you have a hero? What do you admire about this person? What do you appreciate in others? You take a rocket ship to a faraway land, into the future. When you get off the ship, what do you hope to see there? If you had a sign or billboard that thousands of people drive by each day, what would you want it to say? You are nearing the end of your life. Friends and family are coming to visit you, and bring you messages to thank you for your contribution to their lives. What do these letters and messages say? When you think about your “core values” what is your gut telling you they are?

When we can clearly define our own core values, a clarity begins to solidify for us. A kind of internal compass or navigation system. When we are faced with a difficult challenge or situation or decision, look through the lens of your core values.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Is this situation honoring my top core values? Do I feel in alignment with what is most important to me? Why do I feel so tired, exhausted and worn out all the time? Why do I feel so angry? Are any of my core values not being honored?

One of my favorite sayings is, “If you know your Why, you will always find a way.”

Check out the list of common core values on the next page. This is only a starting off point, add your own values to this list!

Your Assignment:

What are your top 5-10 core values? Write them down in a journal or notebook. Define each for yourself. Put your list of core values somewhere you can see it every day—on your bathroom mirror, refrigerator, your desktop computer monitor, on the lock screen of your cell phone, or in your car. For the next week, notice throughout the day and ask yourself, “does this honor my core values?” How many times a day can you do this?

Email me at info@tammiechangmd.com with questions, any time!! I am here for you, dear friend…!!!

Tammie

Values List

Adaptability Adventure Altruism Authenticity Being the Best Belonging Collaboration Commitment Compassion Connection Consistency Courage Dependability Discipline Diversity Education Efficiency Equality Enthusiasm Excellence Family Fairness Faith Fearlessness

Forgiveness Freedom Friendliness Generosity Gratitude Growth Harmony Honesty Humility Humor Independence Integrity Joy Justice Kindness Leadership Learning Legacy Love Loyalty Open-mindedness Optimism Peace Perseverance

Philanthropy Power Pragmatism Positivity Responsibility Respect Security Serenity Service Simplicity Spirituality Sportsmanship Stewardship Success Tolerance Thrift Tradition Truth Uniqueness Vision Vulnerability Wealth Wholeheartedness Wisdom

w w w . t a m m i e c h a n g m d . c o m