SHAPE Values: What They Mean to Me (and Why They Matter for Performance)
If you’ve worked with me (or even just chatted to me for five minutes), you’ll know I’m big on values. Not just because it sounds good on a website, but because I genuinely believe the right values shape not just how we perform, but how we live. So, here’s a bit about the five values that sit at the heart of my work, and what they look like if you’re working with me.
Self-awareness
Let’s start with self-awareness, because honestly, nothing really changes without it. For me, self-awareness is the ability to notice what’s actually going on in your head and body-without immediately jumping to “fix it” mode or giving yourself a hard time about it. It’s that moment when you realise, “Oh, I’m actually nervous because I care about this,” or “I’m snapping at people because I haven’t slept.” It’s not always comfortable, but it’s where growth starts.
One of my favourite ways to build self-awareness with clients is through a values sorting task. We lay out a set of cards-each with a different value or quality-and you sort them into what matters most, what’s important, and what’s less central for you. It sounds simple, but it’s amazing how often people discover something surprising about themselves. Maybe ‘adventure’ is higher than you thought, or ‘security’ isn’t as important as you assumed. This kind of exercise helps you tune into what’s really driving your decisions-and gives us a great starting point for deeper self-reflection.
In performance psychology, self-awareness is a bit of a superpower. The research backs this up-athletes and leaders who are more self-aware tend to be better at regulating their emotions, adapting to setbacks, and making choices that actually fit their goals (not just what they think they “should” do). When we work together, we’ll spend time getting curious about your patterns, your strengths, and the stuff that trips you up. Sometimes that means a bit of honest reflection, sometimes it’s just noticing what’s happening in the moment. Either way, it’s always about building understanding, not judgement.
Curious about how self-awareness could shape your performance or wellbeing? Let’s talk about what it could look like for you. Reach out for a chat or to book a session.
