Welcome to the Work of Axiology!

The science of Axiology uses an intricate mathematical model that provides an objective assessment of what people pay attention to and value as they look outward into the world and inward into their self. It measures ‘personal values’ with the same degree of accuracy that a thermometer measures temperature.

Every decision we make, every action we take, is determined by our values. What we value shapes how we see ourselves and the events in the world around us. Our value “programming” is developed from the time we are born. Once established, our decision making becomes a “natural” outcome of these values.

Many of our decisions result more from habit than conviction. All too often, people adopt “programs” from parents, teachers and peers. Confusion and frustration can result when there is conflict between what we “really” value and the values we “inherited” from others.

Learning to recognize our mental programs can help us understand why we get the results we do. Axiology, the scientific measure of valuing, provides a model to put decision making in its proper perspective. It enables us to evaluate our decision-making programs and learn to improve our “valuing” capacity. The capacity to make “good” value decisions is determined by our ability to see and understand the relative value of three distinct value levels:

               • Intrinsic - the capacity to be in touch with feelings and intuition

              • Extrinsic - the capacity to do what needs to be done

              • Systemic - the capacity to think through and plan ahead

Accurate application of these three levels influence how clearly and how balanced we are able to think about and accept ourselves and the world.

Making decisions based on an understanding of the relative “value” of these concepts can lead to “better” decision making. When our programs result in decisions that confuse this value order we make poor decisions.

The amount of attention we pay to each of these values, the balance we maintain between them and how clearly we understand them, all influence our capacity to make good decisions.

Learning to understand how and why we make our decisions can be a critical step toward improving self-acceptance, relationships, job choices and our satisfaction with the results we create.

Until now, most assessment systems have provided feedback based on a person's subjective ideas about what they like or dislike or how they say they would respond in various situations. While this approach offers some valuable information, the reality is that most of our moment to moment decisions are based on our own internal (almost unconscious) programming.

How We All Started

Some of this programming seems to be "hard wired", that is, we were born with certain traits and tendencies. Think about the great differences in infants within the same family. Parents talk about how one child was "always" so affectionate and another "never" liked to be held. Or how one loved to take things apart to see how they worked, while another just loved to entertain everyone.

Many of these traits seem to be inherent. However, life experiences also play a crucial role in shaping our values, thinking and decisions. When the child's natural tendencies are encouraged they will generally develop these tendencies into talents. But, if they are stifled by parents or teachers, they can be lost or at least buried. We find that many people grew up in an environment where their curiosity or spontaneity were discouraged in favor of more "practical thinking".

The result of such influences can cause confusing or conflicting ideas between what is an inner part of our values and what other people's programming tells us we should think or how we ought to behave. Getting clear on our own inner values and learning how they may be affected by outside demands can be a liberating step toward becoming more in touch with who we really are, or can be.

It's not at all unusual to find very successful people who aren't able to really enjoy their success because of the many conflicting ideas they have about what they should expect of or for themselves. Gaining insights about our own internal value programming opens the doors to better self understanding and acceptance, and enables us to explore strategies for making better use of our talents

Getting Beyond Your Programming

In this hurry up world, it's too easy to get locked into the old "programs" that you've collected through your life events and dramas. You tend to "see" what's going on around you from a pre-set point of view that can limit your potential for experiencing the fullness that life can offer.

Whether you're trying to improve yourself or taking steps to influence positive changes in your organization and family, knowing where you are now has to be the first step. Any bookstore can provide too many choices of "self help" materials and limitless methods for accomplishing personal growth. However, planning any trip without knowing where you're starting from is unlikely to get you where you want to go.

The key to Axiology is that it gives you a place to start, to get in touch with why and how you do what you do.

Several years ago a lot of work was done with "values clarification" exercises that would take you through a process to prioritize your values. While this was an important step, few people where able to differentiate between what they thought they "should" value and the real underlying beliefs and attitudes that influenced their minute to minute decisions and actions.

What you really value is evidenced by how you live life. How you relate to others. The importance you place on things. And, how open or closed you are to expanding your perspectives about yourself and your world. Too often the simple idea of "that's just the way I am" is the very programming that keeps you from becoming who you choose to be.

Keep in mind, "If you want to have something you've never had before, you have to do something you have never done before".  

How the Value Profile Works

The Value Profile approaches self understanding from two perspectives.

• How you interpret your perceptions of the world you see as "outside" yourself .

• How you relate to your "inner" self.

While these act as two very different dimensions, both views are also occurring simultaneously. In both the World and Self view there are three levels of value; intrinsic, extrinsic and systemic value.

Intrinsic Value is the highest order of value in that it encompasses all that is unique and irreplaceable, i.e., that which is beyond measure. 

• In the world view this includes other people as well as your sense of intuition and compassion.
• In the self view, intrinsic value includes the degree of positive attention and value you give yourself, just for "being" yourself; i.e., your self esteem.

Extrinsic Value is the second level of value in that it encompasses those things that are replaceable.

• In the world view extrinsic value includes all that is measurable, tangible, of the five senses. It deals with your attitudes and beliefs about money and material things, your approach and focus on details and handling tasks.
• In the self view extrinsic value relates to how you see yourself in terms of external measurements that relate to your attitudes about success and responsibility including your job, title, income, status, image etc.

Systemic Value is the lowest order of value because it relates to ideas and concepts that can change depending on point of view or time in history.  

• In the world view systemic value relates to rules, policies, procedures, laws and to structure, order and planning.
• In the self view systemic values relate to your personal values, and beliefs, including what you think is right or wrong, good or bad, what you believe you "oughta" or "haveta" do to measure up to your idea of who you think you must be.

The matrix that is created when looking at how an individual thinks and reacts in each of these six interrelated dimensions gives an extraordinarily accurate and telling portrait of each individuals unique approach to interpreting their reality.

Gaining insights into how you actually make your relative choices in and between these dimensions provides a strong starting point for developing a clear and concise understanding of yourself.

These insights enable you to:

• acknowledge and celebrate your greatest strengths
• work on or get help with issues that may not serve you as well
• and shows you where and how you can make the changes necessary to achieve your goals.  

You CAN Change for the Better

So while you're thinking about the past and planning for the future, you might find it useful to consider how your "values" (what YOU value) have influenced the results you've been getting and what you might want to do different if you want to get different results.

Remember, there are three "levels" of value.  

• Intrinsic, the highest order of value, referring to relationships, intuition and self esteem.
• Extrinsic, relating to the tangible, functional, concrete and the lowest order of value.
• Systemic, dealing with structure, rules, policies and ‘shoulds and oughts'.

What you "want" is always influenced by the relative value you place on these three levels of value. You may find that you have never allowed yourself to appreciate or develop your potential in one of these areas or that you so overvalue one area already you may want to explore expanding your capacity in another to achieve greater balance in your life.

In any case, you can make things "better".

Your Next Action Step

On a personal level, the next logical step is to ask yourself where do you go from here? You’re at one of three states of mind in your life.

1.     Everything in your life is going so well for you at this time that you don’t want to ‘rock the boat’ by investigating anything that might result in change. If you’re in this phase, super! The Value Profile is always available if things unexpectedly change for you or if you find you are looking for something else

2.   You know if you do nothing things will just stay the same, but maybe you are not ready to do anything about it just yet.. So, let’s stay in touch. Send me an email with subject line titled "keep me in mind" margaret@margaretneville.com.

3.     You want more out of life NOW. You’re ready to learn how to maximize your strengths to get more out of life emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, physically, personally and financially. And, you want to learn about your developmental areas - and what you can do about them - that are holding you back from what you most want out of life.  If this is true for you send me an email with the subject line "Axiology" at   margaret@margaretneville.com

I will send more information including pricing to begin your own journey of life discovery.

You CAN learn the life skills that can help you implement the changes you want in your life. And, the neat thing about life is that what you get out of it is up to you. Why not choose to live a memorable life? You’re definitely worth it!

click here.

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Blessings,
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About Margaret Neville

Margaret Neville refers to herself as a rainmaker...one who brings value, clarity, joy and abundance to businesses and individuals.  She does limited one on one work, trains, and coaches on value work.  She speaks on axiology and the importance of APPLYING the work of Robert Hartman to everyday life and work.  She is also an accountant, a certified Success Coach and Spiritual Director.  She has a very diverse background in business as a and has done extensive professional and personal and spiritual growth work all her life.  It is this diversity that enables Margaret to enthusiastically journey with her clients in a very skillful, compassionate and intuitive manner.

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