cart or horse

Identifying and clarifying values lets us know which is the cart and which is the horse.

For example, is making money the thing that needs to come first because it’s our top priority, or is making money a secondary goal, a symptom, or a tool through which we gain traction to serve our values? (Such as someone whose key values include security, stability, peace, freedom, generosity, or adventures…)

Cart or horse?

It’s important because then we can keep perspective and proper placement, understanding perhaps there are more ways we can still realize and live our value(s) without making money, for example (or whatever else your “cart” is). The point is, the value leads; the tool follows suit, as needed.

Whenever we find ourselves over-emphasizing something that might just be a cart, it’s useful to notice if that’s the thing we really want, or if we only want it because of what it offers and creates for us.

Very helpful to know which comes first, which is leading the way, and which matters more.