Investing a weekend a few years ago to learn from Dr John Demartini, alongside reading his book ‘The Values Factor, really had a lasting impact on me.’
Understanding our highest values and living in alignment with them is integral to Chris and I, in family life and in our property businesses. So much so, we even named our main property business Adaero, a latin word for values. Our values guide how we do business, how we strive to interact with and serve others, and how we make decisions.
Whilst this week’s post is not about any particular property strategy or deal, it’s about something so important that it transcends the tactics and strategy. Property is ultimately a people business, which is why we feel so strongly about having a solid set of values to guide us.
Having gained some understanding of values and the importance of them across life and business, I wanted to find a way to teach a solid foundation of values to my 3 sons. Back in late 2017 I set a goal to teach my kids a different life value each month. This would involve teaching through simple stories that give a meaningful message, little games and tasking them with learning a quote. We are now in year two of this nice little monthly habit and although the boys might whine about it occasionally, I know it’s helping shape them to become great individuals.
So, for a bit of fun, and if you’re interested, here are the 12 values and quotes that my boys learned in 2018. You may like to do something similar.
JAN- LOYALTY, SERVICE & DEPENDABILITY
“The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is in its loyalty to each other.” – Mario Puzo
FEB- RESPECT
“Treat others as you want them to treat you because what goes around comes around.”- Shera Chowdhury
MAR- LOVE
“We must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words.”- 1 John3:18
APR- UNSELFISHNESS & SENSITIVITY
“Someone who is all wrapped up in himself makes a very small package.”- Anonymous
MAY- KINDNESS & FRIENDLINESS
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”- Aesop
JUN- HONESTY
“The high road is always respected. Honesty and integrity are always rewarded.”- Scott Hamilton
JUL- JUSTICE & MERCY
“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.” – Abraham Lincoln
AUG- COURAGE
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”- William Shakespeare
SEP- PEACEABILITY
“Control your anger because it is only one letter away from DANGER.”- Anonymous
OCT- SELF RELIANCE & POTENTIAL
“For things to change, YOU have to change. For things to get better, YOU have to get better. For things to improve, YOU have to improve. When you grow, EVERYTHING in your life grows with you” -Jim Rohn
NOV- SELF DISCIPLINE
“Self-discipline is doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done even when you don’t feel like doing it” – Anonymous
DEC- COMMITMENT
“When you make a commitment, you build hope. When you keep it, you build trust.” -Stephen Covey