The human mind craves certainty. It is our surest bet for dealing with the uncertainty around us that makes up the world in general, and our lives each day. That’s why core values are so important.
Values are constant. Their constance gives us certainty. And our commitment to our values serves as the anchor of certainty which allows us to hold onto something constant in a world rife with change. The goals we have are also constant, anchored in our values. As long as we have meaningful goals (i.e., ones tied to our values), we have certainty in an uncertain world. We can face the inevitable upheaval of the day to day.
The card you fill out each day is your 3 x 5 rectangle of certainty. It is your reminder of what is important to you, which, hopefully, is tied to your goals and core values. The card is a rope that you can hold onto, which is tied to the anchor of your goals and thus, your values.
The card is also a constant; it’s unchanging. It is your artifact of a time you lived in certainty. A time when you weren’t overwhelmed by the chaos of the day. So by the time you do find yourself pulled this way or that by the mess of each day, you can look at the card and remember that your goals and your intentions remain constant.
You can re-center yourself, and refocus on what’s important, simply by looking at the card. And by looking at your score compared to your possible points, you can be reminded of what you still need to do today in order to make good on your commitment to yourself.
That’s why it’s so important to take time before each day starts—whether that’s at the end of the previous day, or at the beginning of this one—to reflect, refocus, and develop an intention for the day. If you do it right, you can quiet your mind and give yourself some space, stillness, and quietude to tap into that certainty.
When you do that, you can carry that certainty with you into the chaotic uncertainty of the day. It can serve as a source of strength and motivation. It’s your rock. And you can use it as your weapon whenever things begin to get crazy.
So grab a card, and create your center of certainty today—before things inevitably get crazy.
