It's often times of significant change that spark us to re-evaluate what's important to us. Moving countries and setting up a new life on the other side of the world recently has certainly been one of those times for me. As I planned to pack up all of my worldly possessions, I considered and prioritised what was really important to me. The decisions I made were a direct reflection of my values.

It's not just these times where our values play the lead role in our decision making, it's just that nine times out of ten, we don't realise it. In a nutshell, our values are what are most important to us. Our values make up the internal compass we use to navigate our way through life. They form the basis of all of our decisions and remain at the core of what makes up our model of the world. An exploration of values is a core part of the work I do with my clients as it provides enormous insight - Once you know what is really important, it becomes easier to make decisions.

In this month's e-zine Jolene Barilla explores the importance of values and shares some great ideas to have a value packed December. As a primary school teacher, Jolene discusses values with her students all the time and there are some simple lessons we can learn from taking a similar approach with our own lives. Our Brave Bod this month is Andy King. Andy triumphed over personal tragedy and shares with us a little of his journey as a leading Australian surfer and as the Australian Red Bull Surf Team Coach/Manager. December is also a significant month for Andy as he gets ready to marry the love of his life, his stunning, supportive and beautiful fiancé, Nadene on December 23.

A special thank you to everyone who has been involved in making Brave New World come to life. you know who you are. Thank you to each of our readers - this e-zine is for you! I love receiving your feedback, all comments are most welcome. Let me know what else you'd like to read about. Wishing you and yours a most fabulous, special and memorable Christmas season. I look forward to touching base again in 2007!

Best of life,

P.S - As our Christmas gift to you, we would love to share Brave's Five Simple Step's to Leading a Valuable Life. For your free copy in pdf format, please e-mail admin@bravecoaching.com by 15th December and write the area of your life you are interested in working on in the subject line.

1. Keep them in context. Different things will be important to you for different areas of your life. For e.g. you may value constant challenge and variety at work, and honesty and comfort in your intimate relationships. Your values are context dependant, so when you explore your values, be specific on the context - career/work, finances, health, home, relationships, spirituality are just some examples.
2. Get in touch with them. Set aside five or ten minutes and ask yourself "What's most important to me in the context of (add in the relevant area of your life)?". Compile a list. It will generally be made up of single words or short phrases. You will find when you do this, a few things will come out easily. then you will hit a 'blank spot'. Push past this spot two times by asking yourself the question again as sometimes some of your core values lay a little further beneath the surface.
3. Know what they mean. One word can mean very different things to different people. In the context of work, the value of security may mean having a job they can stay in for many years for one person. For another it may mean having a high paying role that will help them be financially secure. Finding out why a value is important to you is key. So after answering "What's most important to me?", consider "Why" that particular thing is important to you.
4. Rank them. Which values within your list are MOST important to you? What would you be least willing to give up if you had to? Rank your values, with number one being most important.
5. Score them. How is your current life shaping up against your values? Give yourself a score, indicating how you are currently living your life in relation to your values - A score of zero being the absence of that value in your life at the moment and ten being complete contentment - you couldn't do anything to achieve a greater sense of satisfaction in this area.
6. Fulfill them!. Once you know how your life is currently shaping up, actively look to fulfill your values. For any values you rated below seven, consider one small thing you could do to increase the existence of that value in your life. Remember to take little steps and be honest! Get excited if you notice the absence of a particular value. This is a signal of an area that could do with more attention from you. The fact that you are now aware of it will mean you are better equipped to fulfill it.
7. Be curious about the values of others. Imagine being able to significantly increase your effectiveness as a partner, friend, employee or parent just by asking one question? By understanding what's most important to those around you, you can work to fulfill their values. Do you know what your partner values most about relationships? What about the five most important things your boss values about work? In looking to fulfill others, we tend to act according to our own values, not to theirs. Make an effort to find out what is important to others and see what opportunities will be uncovered for you.
8. Review them. Your values can change over time. Values are a result of who we are and all of our life experiences. They are influenced by, (among other things) our family, friends, what school we went to, where we grew up, our early work experiences. Whilst some of our values are more deeply ingrained than others, the expression of our values can continue to change and evolve with life experience. It's useful to touch base with your values at least once a year.
9. Align them. From a work or career perspective, are you in touch with the values of the business you work in or run? How do your work values compare with the values you see being displayed within the business? Creating an alignment of values is key to building a lasting, rewarding and effective relationship - whether that be with a business, a particular person or a team.
10. Live them!. Living a life in alignment with your values creates fulfilment, however, when the choices you make do not support one or more of your values, feelings of frustration and dissatisfaction can emerge. Make a commitment to life a life that respects and looks to fulfil your values. Be aware of your values, know what they mean to you, respect them, look to align and fulfil them!

As our Christmas gift to you, we would love to share Brave's Five Step's to Leading a Valuable Life. For your free copy, please e-mail admin@bravecoaching.com by 15th December and write the area of life you are interested in working on in the subject line.

Andy King knows a thing or two about living your life according to what's important. Andy is a professional surfer and is the Coach and Manager for the Australian Red Bull Surf team. He is also a dear friend and an inspiration. In March 2004 Andy recorded the highest ever two wave total score in surfing history. Two weeks later he was fighting for his life in hospital after being attacked by a group of men outside a Sydney night club. Andy's journey is one of bravery, determination and honesty. His story is testament to the power of the mind.

1. How did you get into professional surfing?

   I have surfed since I was three years old. Right from that age my father told me of how much fun we would have traveling the world together, seeing new places, meeting new people and how every day would be different. I always knew that was what I would do and my love of the sport grew from there. It's still as exciting for me now as it was back then.

2. What has been your biggest lesson in your professional career?

   Taking responsibility for my actions. The ocean is unpredictable and at the start of my career I used to blame it for my losses. I was unlucky because I couldn't get the right wave. Then I changed my attitude. I took care of all the things I could control - my fitness and my equipment. I learnt to love all conditions that I was faced with and my results followed.

3. What has been the biggest challenges you've faced?

   In March 2004 I recorded the highest two wave total in professional surfing history at Newcastle beach, which was the highlight of my career. Two weeks later I was attacked by a group of men outside a night club who were harassing my girlfriend (soon to be my wife). I suffered four fractures to my skull damaging both my cochlea's, leaving me completely deaf. I also lost my equilibrium fluid which left me temporarily paralysed and has permanently affected my balance.

   Learning to walk and get back on my board and surf professionally again was the biggest challenge I've faced. Experiencing this taught me to appreciate what I have and keep it simple. You should wake up happy that you can see, hear, walk, and communicate. Anything that you achieve in your day on top of that is a miracle.

4. Have you ever doubted your ability to achieve your dreams?

   No, never! I have always done what I love and what made me happy.

5. What were the key milestones in getting your current role as Coach/Manager of the Red Bull Surf Team?

   I created a proposal for a Surfer Support Program that I presented to another big surf label, Billabong. Management loved the idea but they are a public company and the board of directors couldn't find enough value to create this new position in the budget. Red Bull had an interest in setting up a similar program and took me onboard.

6. What do you love most about your current role?

   I still get to travel the world, but now I'm giving something back. I'm passing on my experience to a younger generation and fast tracking them to success.

7. What advice would you give someone else contemplating a career change?

   If you feel like there is something missing, if you are unfulfilled in any way then have a go. Find your passion. If you believe in it one hundred percent it's amazing how many people will follow and back you! Start it, get it off the drawing board and watch how much better you will feel within yourself. Everything will come together.

8. What's your definition of bravery?

   Anyone who gets out there and has a go and people who are humble. Everyone is amazing at something - it's just a matter of finding what that something is and living it.

If you're interested in reading more about Andy's story, here's a link to the feature on Channel 7’s Sunrise program: http://www.seven.com.au/sundaysunrise/about_041013_andyking

By Jolene Barilla

December is a month that holds significant meaning to many people all over the world in many ways. It's a time of celebrations, commitments and Christmas. It is a month that is consumed with family celebrations, after work drinks, the (sometimes!) dreaded work Christmas party, New Years Eve revelry and holidays!

At the centre of every decision regarding how we spend the important thirty one days in December are our values. A value is something that holds meaning at which we attach great importance to. Values are the things we appreciate that are worth our attention. What we choose to value shapes the way we live our lives. The festive month is a time when what we value plays a significant role in how we allocate our time, money and affections.

As a primary school educator, values are an imperative part of every aspect of my day. Each day, I endeavour to educate my students about the importance of making effective and appropriate decisions based on the values they have. The onset of Christmas brings an opportune time to reflect on what's important and the value we place on it. The value we place on ourselves, on our families and on the things around us. As the Christmas season nears, these values become a key factor in every action we take, from fighting for a car space at the shopping mall, writing out your Christmas card list or deciding who will host Christmas lunch! Taking time out to reflect on what's really important in our lives can lead us to re-evaluate our current priorities and perhaps shift direction or pace.

Below are some simple ideas to help you have a value packed December.

• Take time out to rediscover what you value in life: e.g. nature, family time, relationships.
   
• Value your partner by doing something special for them (it doesn't have to cost money!).
   
• Try to spend extra time with your family, not just the time you HAVE to spend with them!
   
• Value those around you, keep calm during those last minute party plans and during late night shopping (remember you're not the only one who may be busy).
   
• In true Christmas spirit, use this time to reach out to someone who needs help.
   
• Get in touch with your spiritual side.
   
• Tell someone that you love those three special words and make their day.
   
• Reflect on your actions and the decisions you make.

Values are those things, thoughts and feelings that guide our daily lives. They are not forced or pushed on us but do change as life changes. Nevertheless, it is how we use them that guides us to a life filled with satisfaction and fulfilment. Seasons Greetings!

Create the career you have always dreamed of, become a magnetic and successful leader, achieve life balance and happiness, improve the performance of your team beyond what you even believe is possible. Working with a great coach makes it easier than you think. Our clients are achieving these things and even more, everyday. Brave Coaching and Consulting offers a no-obligation, free coaching consultation either in person or by telephone. During the meeting you will find out about how coaching can help you achieve your potential.

Simply e-mail us at: trialsession@bravecoaching.com and we will contact you to arrange a convenient time to meet.

Christmas is a time of giving. Make a decision to let the silly season bring out the best in you! Giving a gift to someone doesn't have to cost money. In fact, it's the gifts that money can't buy that often mean the most. This silly season why not send a card (with your own hand writing on it, remember those?) to someone you love and haven't spoken to for a long time. Make the effort to hunt down their address and send them some love. You won't regret it!

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