> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # #213 - Discover your value(s) - URL: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/213-discover-your-value-s/ - Published: 2024-11-11T05:11:19.000Z - Updated: 2024-11-11T05:11:18.000Z - Description: This week, I'm looking Core Values and how you can define yours. I have some great decision tools and ways to reduce tech distractions. I look at wins, and ways to protect your peace - before another old favourite distraction. - Author: Matt - Tags: Newsletter ### The Stuff that MattRs **Monday Motivation**. Let this week be the one where we [(re)discover our personal values](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/values/). My step-by-step guide will take you through an exercise to refine a list of core values that will help drive goal-setting and productivity. **Decisions**. [Three brilliant critical thinking tools.](https://bigthink.com/the-learning-curve/3-brilliant-critical-thinking-tools-used-by-daniel-dennett/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Learn these three tools, and you’ll be able to lean into any problem solving situation. Bonus Stuff. Your [decision making toolkit keeps getting stronger. ](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/featured/decisionmaking/) **Productivity**. [Make time to do your best work.](https://thedolectures.com/manifestos/make-time-to-do-your-best-work/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) I love the way this article talks about the small things that you can do to get better every day, that's the spirit of this newsletter. **Preparation**. [The danger of overpreparing.](https://nesslabs.com/overpreparation?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) How to get started before you feel ready. Some great advice from the excellent Nesslabs. **Problems**. Some problems are easy to solve, others are difficult. [Seth Godin explains which ones you should be working on.](https://seths.blog/2024/10/important-problems/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) *Bonus Stuff.* [*How convergent thinking can help you tackle tricky problems.*](https://www.sunsama.com/blog/convergent-thinking-explained-how-to-sharpen-your-problem-solving-skills?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) **Notifications**. Email, WhatsApp, Chat, Calendar, Text Messages, Reminders. How do you deal with all the notifications you receive whilst working. [Here’s some ways to stop you being distracted by them.](https://subscribe.marissagoldberg.com/posts/how-do-you-deal-with-endless-work-notifications?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ✍️ ****Random Journal Prompt:** Write about something that always makes you smile. [From my prompts for Optimism.](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/journal-prompts-optimism/) ****Bonus Stuff.** [Try my 30 day Journalling Challenge](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/journalling/). ![man in black coat holding black metal candle holder](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1582036683068-7842b873954e?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDR8fHdpbm5lcnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzEwNTg3NzF8MA&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Museums Victoria](https://unsplash.com/@museumsvictoria?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) **Wins**. There is a lot to be happy about in the world, here’s some inspiration. [Ten wins you can take right now. ](https://jessicahagy.substack.com/p/10-wins-to-take-now) **Peace**. [Nineteen ways to protect your peace.](https://nielsbohrmann.com/protect-your-peace/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Some excellent advice here, #6 is useful ([we spoke about here](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/featured/the-art-of-setting-boundaries-why-saying-no-is-key-to-your-success/)) and #16 is truly a game change ([we covered that here](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/the-stuff30-journaling-challenge/)) **Life**. [Twenty-two lessons on life and love.](https://michaelthompson.art/22-lessons-on-life-love-and-choosing-what-matters-most/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) I love #4, and #19 is the reason I keep writing this newsletter. **Positivity**. [How you can use neuroscience to build yourself a more positive reality.](https://bigthink.com/perception-box/nicole-vignola/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Some great practical tips towards a more optimistic outlook. **Breathing**. [Using a screen can affect your breathing.](https://www.npr.org/2024/06/10/1247296780/screen-apnea-why-screens-cause-shallow-breathing?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Screen apnea is impacting our breathing, here are some practical things we can do to avoid it. **Finally**. [Battleships](https://lukerissacher.com/battleships?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk). Redesigned as a daily game. *I played battleships a lot as a child, first on paper and then a plastic/electronic thingy - this is a great reminder of the game!* 🎵 Have you tried ****FlowStuff**? It's my ever growing and changing playlist of music for concentration and relaxation. 35 hours of mostly beatless and wordless music. [You can follow along here.](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2rXoop87aCB6oe1HBERtyn?si=f38e9657e468481c&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ### 🔈 Stuff to Listen to... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2024/11/image-2.png) 🎧 This week, I'm recommending Qasr, a short EP from Sheherazaad - a performer composer from the US who produces a beautiful blend of electronica and South-Asian folk. Woven around Hindi-Urdu poetic forms, are electronics and traditional instruments creating a gentle, meditative sound which is perfect to soothe our busy minds. I suspect this is the start of something really interesting. Highly recommended. [Listen to Qasr by Sheherazaad here](https://open.spotify.com/album/2glk2fxTUqqLTAh1sUADAt?si=jCsxIxI5SvKI8UMMSPXSDA&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ### Stuff Someone Said (feel free to share) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2024/11/Stuff-213.png)