In this Blog Post we’ll be talking about the foundation of habits—your personal values. Why are they important? And how do they connect to the habits we want to build in our lives?
Why Start with Values?
Why values? Because they serve as the foundation for everything you do. They guide your decisions, your time, and even your energy.
Think of values as your internal compass. They help you navigate through life, giving you direction. When your values are clear, it becomes easier to prioritize what’s truly important. And that’s where habits come in—habits are how you act on those values consistently.
An Example: Family vs. Career
Let’s take family as an example. If family is a core value for you, then you might find yourself naturally creating habits around spending time with loved ones, like scheduling weekly dinners or prioritizing family time over work commitments. If financial success is another value you hold, you’ll organize your day to achieve your financial goals.
But when we fail to align our habits with our values, that’s when friction sets in. You might say family is important, but if you’re always working late or missing family events, there’s a misalignment between what you say and what you do. That’s why it’s crucial to figure out what your real values are and build habits around them.
Why Do Some People Succeed While Others Struggle?
Why do some people seem to effortlessly succeed while others struggle, even when both are putting in hard work? It often boils down to values and alignment. Those who seem to effortlessly reach their goals likely have habits that naturally fit their values. For them, success feels like a natural extension of who they are because their actions align with their deeper motivations. But when you try to force habits that don’t match your values, it feels like swimming upstream.
Identify Your Values
If you’re ready to build habits that last, it’s important to start by identifying your personal values. You don’t have to know them all right away, and it’s okay if they change over time. Here’s how to begin:
1. List Everything That Matters to You
Take a few minutes to write down all the values you think are important. It can be anything—family, health, financial security, personal growth, faith, creativity, etc. Don’t worry about prioritizing them just yet.
2. Narrow It Down
Once you’ve got a list, start narrowing it down to your top 5 or 10. These should be the values that matter most to you, the ones making you feel truly fulfilled and happy when you live by them.
3. Get Specific
For each value, ask yourself, “What does this look like in my life?” If health is important to you, does that mean you prioritize exercise, eat nutritious foods, or manage stress? If education is important, how are you constantly learning and growing? Visualize your ideal life built around these values.
Align Your Habits with Your Values
Once you’ve identified your values, it’s time to think about your habits. Are they supporting or conflicting with your values? For example, if your top value is health but you’re constantly skipping the gym, there’s a disconnect that needs to be addressed.
When your habits don’t align with your values, it’s harder to stay disciplined. If you value family time but constantly overwork, then no matter how hard you try to “balance” things, you’ll feel conflicted. Understanding your values allows you to create habits that are more sustainable because they are grounded in what you care about most.
How to Go Deeper: A Personal Example
When I first did this, I did it more superficially, listing values like family and health without truly thinking about what they meant in my daily life. It wasn’t until I dug deeper—really defining what these values looked like—that I started seeing a real difference. Now, decisions about time management, work, and personal priorities feel clearer because they align with my values.
If you’ve struggled with keeping certain habits, it’s worth asking yourself if that habit aligns with your core values. Sometimes, we set goals because they sound good, but they don’t actually matter to us deeply.
Practical Tips to Start Your Own Journey
I’d love for you to take this values-based approach and experiment with it in your own life. Here are a few tips to help get you started:
1. Find a Values List Online – If you’re having trouble identifying your values, look up a list online to get inspiration. Circle the ones that stand out to you.
2. Visualize Your Ideal Life – Once you’ve picked your values, close your eyes and visualize how you’d live them out. How would your days look? How would you feel?
3. Prioritize – You might have 10 values, but not everything can be your number one priority. Rank them, and understand that priorities can shift over time.
4. Be Flexible – Life changes, and so do your values. What’s important today might evolve over time, so revisit your list every now and then.
By taking the time to align your habits with your core values, you’ll find it easier to stay committed and feel more fulfilled. So, let your values be your compass as you create the habits that will shape your life. Start today, and watch how this alignment leads you toward greater happiness and satisfaction.
