Moral Compass: Better Choices, Better Life

Ever found yourself at life's crossroads, wondering which path to take?

Not the "Should I have pizza or salad for dinner?" kind of dilemma.

But the real, "What's the right thing to do here?" type.

Welcome to the world of moral compasses - where you mindfully take time to tap into your inner voice and gut feeling.

Today, I'm diving into the concept of the moral compass - what it is, why it's important, and how you can fine-tune yours for a life that's not just successful, but also meaningful and ethically sound.

I'm writing this article because I'm a leading Behavioral Change expert and the author of a book all about the perks of death awareness. I've spent years exploring the nooks and crannies of human behavior, morality and mortality.

I believe that the better your choices - the better your life. And the best way to make good choices is to use your moral compass as a guide.

What is a Moral Compass?

A moral compass is your personal set of ethical beliefs and values that guide your decisions and actions. It's like having an inner GPS that helps you navigate the complex world of moral dilemmas.

Think of it this way: Every day, we're bombarded with choices. Some are no-brainers, while others... well, they can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded.

Your moral compass is what helps you to decide what's right and wrong in these tricky situations.

The Benefits of a Strong Moral Compass

Having a well-calibrated moral compass comes with a boatload of benefits.

• Better Decision-Making: When you have a clear sense of your moral values, decision-making becomes less about "What will others think?" and more about "What do I believe is right?"

• Improved Relationships: People tend to trust and respect those who have strong moral principles and stick to them.

• Inner Peace: There's a certain calmness that comes with knowing you're living in alignment with your values.

• Positive Social Impact: By acting ethically, you contribute to a more honest, fair, and just society.

Discovering Your Top 5 Core Values

Now, let's play a bit of a treasure hunt, shall we? Except, in this case, the treasure isn't gold or jewels. But something far more valuable – your core values. These are the guiding stars of your moral universe, the unwavering principles that light your way through life's foggiest nights.

To help you on this journey of self-discovery, I've compiled a list of 20 core values.

Your mission: pick the top five that resonate most deeply with you.

1. Integrity: Being honest and having strong moral principles.

2. Compassion: Showing empathy and concern for others.

3. Courage: The ability to confront fear, pain, or challenges.

4. Respect: Valuing others and treating them with dignity.

5. Responsibility: Being accountable for your actions and their impacts.

6. Fairness: Practicing impartiality and justice.

7. Kindness: The quality of being friendly and considerate.

8. Gratitude: Appreciating what you have and acknowledging the good in your life.

9. Humility: Having a modest view of one's own importance.

10. Perseverance: Persisting in spite of difficulties.

11. Curiosity: A strong desire to learn or know more.

12. Creativity: The use of imagination or original ideas.

13. Adaptability: Being able to adjust to new conditions.

14. Loyalty: A strong feeling of support or allegiance.

15. Joyfulness: Finding happiness in life's simple pleasures.

16. Authenticity: Being true to oneself.

17. Generosity: Willingness to give or share.

18. Patience: The capacity to accept or tolerate delay or suffering without getting angry or upset.

19. Optimism: Hopefulness and confidence about the future.

20. Wisdom: The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.

Remember, choosing your top five isn't about setting the rest aside forever. It's more like picking out the outfit you feel most “you” in, while knowing your wardrobe (your wider value set) is always there, offering endless combinations for different occasions.

After you feel you sort of have it sorted out… read on for techniques to strengthen your moral compass.

3 Tips to Strengthen Your Moral Compass

So, how do you go about sharpening this inner ethical guide? Here are some strategies.

1. Regularly Reflect on Your Top 5 Core Values:

Spend time thinking about why those top 5 core values you just chose (in exercise above) are most important to you. Then even take time to rank these 5 in their order of importance.

2. Be Mindful About Decision-Making:

When faced with a decision, pause and ask yourself, "Does this align with my top core values?" It's like asking your internal moral GPS for directions.

3. Journal for Moral Clarity:

Write about moral dilemmas you face and how they relate to your core values. When you mindfully take time to reflect, you strengthen your moral reasoning. Plus you might even discover some new top core values you want to mindfully embrace.

3 Questions to Tap into Your Moral Compass

Here are three essential questions to ask yourself that can help tap into your moral compass:

1. What Are the Pros and Cons?

Question: "What will be the potential outcomes of my choices, and who will be affected by them?"

Why It Helps: This question encourages you to consider the broader impact of your decisions. It's not just about what's good for you, but also about the ripple effects your actions might have on others. Think of it as doing a cost-benefit analysis, but with a moral twist.

2. What Would My Role Models Do?

Question: "How would someone I respect handle this situation?"

Why It Helps: Sometimes the best way to figure out what to do is to think about what your moral role models would do in your shoes. These could be mentors, historical figures, or even fictional characters. Their imagined guidance can be helpful when you're lost in the sea of indecision.

3. How Will I View This in the Future?

Question: "How will I feel about this decision in five or ten years - or on my deathbed?"

Why It Helps: This question forces you to zoom out and consider the long-term consequences of your actions. It's easy to get caught up in the immediacy of a situation, but taking a longer view can often provide a clearer perspective on what's truly important.

Conclusion: Your Moral Compass

Developing and maintaining a strong moral compass isn't just about making good choices. It's about crafting a life story you can be proud of.

It's about being the person you'd want to meet - the kind of person who leaves the world a little better than they found it.

As a leading Behavioral Change expert and bestselling author, I can tell you that strengthening your moral compass is a wildly rewarding journey. If you’d like more support in this area, explore working with me one on one - here.