Where you spend your time is an indication of what you value. That has been said a million times in a thousand ways. Possibly it is more accurate to say that what you spend most effort on is an indication of what you value.

Even then, it doesn’t quite hit the mark. Not directly anyway.

For hundreds of millions of humans, a large proportion, often a majority, of their waking time and huge proportion of their effort is spent working – generating an income on which to live, to support themselves and their family.

Across too many countries and in too many cases, the effort required in order to provide basic food and shelter is an objective challenge every day. This particular subject shall be explored in another post.

We focus now on those for which that isn’t true. We focus on where, despite protestations that their family are their absolute priority, it is clear that the effort is actually being ploughed into developing their career, securing the next bonus, meeting corporate targets. Many would argue that they do this to “build a better future for their family”.

Good stuff. Honourable.

But at what cost? Has the family agreed to this goal? Have they agreed on this shared goal which they are sacrificing so much for? Have they agreed to the sacrifice in order to get it?

It is very easy to get caught up in the fight for progress. Organisations work hard to create cultures to support progression and development of their colleagues. We are all for it. We want that to be an option open to everyone – to develop themselves and to progress, personally and professionally.

Today we proffer three recommendations:

Definition – define in your own mind what you are working towards. Understand what effort and sacrifice this would mean. Be clear on your timescales and the impact of achieving your goal as well as the impact of not achieving the goal.

Consult – speak to those that could be impacted by the work, by the goal achievement and by any repercussions of failure. This could mean discussing with your partner, your family or even your friends. Ensure that you take on their views.

Review – is it working the way you anticipated? Is the effort and the disruption making a difference? Is it worth it or are you going to change your plans?

This exercise develop internal clarity, improves relationships and creates the motivation generated by committing to your goals with someone else. And if anyone asks you what you value, your answer will align with your effort.