Journaling prompt: Résumé values or eulogy values?

Journal prompt: resume values or eulogy values? The picture is a memorial stone which reads, 'In loving memory'

When I eventually shuffle from this mortal coil, I’m not sure I would want people at my funeral describing me as ‘a real go-getter’, who was a ‘great team player’.

‘Dave was a motivated and results-driven guy who often delivered results on-time and within budget.’

No, thank you.

And yet, from a very early age we are encouraged to cultivate the kinds of character traits that look good on a CV. We praise our kids for being good-listeners and team-players and self-motivated, which are all good things, but is there nothing more to aspire to?

The question is, do you want to rely on external validation and live by a set of values that might impress people externally when written down on paper, or do you want to live by a set of values that make you a good, kind man of integrity?

Do you want to find validation inside yourself that comes from staying true to a deeply held set of personal values that define your character, rather than relying on others for your self-worth?

Do you want people to say that you were impressive in an interview, or that you improved the lives of those around you?

Today’s journal prompt is:

Happy journaling.


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