Kelsey Shelton
Essay #2
1. Honesty
2. Dependability
3. Excellence
4. Compassion
5. Enthusiasm
6. Commitment
7. Fitness
8. Obedience
9. Challenge
10. Professionalism
Values are factors that are important to us and often determine the way we live and work.
They influence our priorities and drive us to make decisions. When recognized, values can make
our lives easier by making decisions and plans that honor them. Performing tasks that fall in line
with our values makes us feel better about ourselves and our daily life. We are not going to be
happy at a job that does not honor our values. I thought long and hard about my list of ten values
and ultimately, I think they do describe who I am as a person and how I live my life.
My values definitely drive my behavior and I can see it in my daily decisions and lifestyle.
Honesty is my most important value. Honesty is significant in my family and central factor in
how I was raised. I cannot be dishonest with people and even if I tried, my face and body
language gives it away. It is hard for me to lie and it bothers me for a long time after telling a
fib. I was always taught to be honest with people and in my actions. Therefore, honesty is my
most important value and is exhibited in my daily lifestyle. Dependability and commitment are
fairly similar to me. If I say I will do something or be somewhere, I have to stick to my word
and complete the task. To prevent the possibility of being late, I am often early to appointments
and become stressed if an event keeps me from being on time. I cannot stand when other people
are late or do not stick to their word. These are important values that I feel everyone should
have, and they help me uphold my value of professionalism. Professionalism is arriving on time
for an occupation and staying late if the need arises. I feel compassion and enthusiasm are
important values in daily life and especially in an occupation. I feel that in order to be happy at a
job, I must have compassion for the work place and its duties. I need to have enthusiasm for my
coworkers and my patients to help them trust me, enjoy coming to me, and make them feel
comfortable in my care. Again, I feel both of these values contribute to professionalism. I
believe professionals need to show compassion and enthusiasm in their workplace to bring
positivity to the environment. Working often requires long hours over several days so it is
essential to remain happy and excited about the workplace. Fitness and challenge are similar in
that fitness is extremely important to me and I am willing to accept challenges physically but
also mentally. I love taking care of my body by eating healthy and pushing it to its limits at the
gym. It makes me feel better in all other aspects of my life. I am more energetic, confident, and
excited about my daily activities. I practice this value daily. I enjoy taking on challenges
physically in a fitness aspect but also mentally. I enjoy academic challenges and puzzles. This
is why the world of physical therapy is so fascinating to me from a mysterious patient issue to
patients that are perceived as “difficult.” At the physical therapy clinics I work at now, I am
always willing to work with the problem patient that others may not have the patience or time to
work with. Challenges in life and at work are satisfactory to take on and make me feel even
better when I complete or solve the obstacle.
It is very hard to work with people whose values do not match my own, but I have to learn
that not everyone shares the same values. People are raised differently and come from all walks
of life. People are different making this world interesting, but at the same time, frustrating.
When faced with people whose value system is fairly different than mine, it is hard to deal with.
It is hard to see physical therapists who have lost the compassion and enthusiasm when going to
work each day. I live for those values and it is difficult to watch these physical therapists. I
believe they are important values that providers should offer their patients. It is difficult for me
when I cannot be honest with a patient when their MRI shows a meniscus tear, but they have to
wait to hear it from their physician in three more weeks, because it is out of my practice.
Moreover, when I agree to meet a friend at a specific time and location to practice my fitness
value and my friend does not share my value of commitment and dependability, it is the most
trying situation I have to face. However, everyone is different and they have their own values. I
can accept that with understanding, patience, and forgiveness. When faced with these situations,
I have to be patient and understand that physical therapists are unique in their practice and
operate differently. Professionals work in their own specialty and it is only fair to the patient that
the correct professional read the MRI to the patient and is available for the many questions that
will follow. I must forgive my friend for not showing up to the gym. Having differing values
with professionals, patients, and friends is inevitable, but it how I react to it is what truly shows
my values.