This week I’m applying for Australian citizenship much to my grandad’s dismay (he still refers to Australians as “the colonials”). As part of it, there’s a test about history, politics, the correct way to dunk your TimTam and the like, and it got me thinking about Australia as a country and it’s values, for me (and this is just my opinion) these are along the lines of fairness, mateship, hard work and generosity of spirit. It wasn’t difficult to think of what they could be and if I considered actual brands I could probably guess at what their ‘values’ are supposed to be. Apple is to product innovation what MacDonalds is to service.
As consumers we’re so used to identifying and aligning ourselves with brands, but as people what are our own values? This question isn’t in the citizenship test (thankfully) but it forms part of an exercise in Stephanie Dowrick’s book “Choosing Happiness” and has completely stumped me for a week, having never actively thought about it.
Of course in all of us, we’d hope there are inherent usual suspects of respect, empathy and good will, but what else would be on my list? After a few days mulling it over the following make a good start:
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Wisdom
- Good Humour
- Curiosity
- Creativity
The next challenge is to then use them as a guide for any major decisions I make for the rest of the year. What do you stand for?