Living with Purpose: Discovering Your Core Values for Personal and Professional Growth

Mark Patterson

Apr 13, 2023 • 4 min read

Have you ever felt like something was missing in your life? Like you were going through the motions, but not really living with purpose? It's a common feeling, but one that can be changed by discovering your core values. Knowing your core values can help guide your decisions, both in your personal life and your career. Let's dive into why core values are important and how to discover them.

Why Core Values Matter

Core values are the beliefs or principles that guide your behavior and decision-making. They are the foundation of who you are and what you stand for. When you know your core values, you have a clear understanding of what is important to you, what you are willing to fight for, and what you want to achieve in life.

Knowing your core values is especially important for your professional growth. If you are not aligned with your values, you may feel unmotivated and unfulfilled in your work. On the other hand, when your work is aligned with your values, you are more likely to be engaged and fulfilled in your career.

How to Discover Your Core Values

Discovering your core values is a personal journey. Here are some steps you can take to begin the process:

Reflect on your past experiences

Think about the moments in your life when you felt most fulfilled and satisfied. What values were present in those moments? Maybe it was a sense of adventure, creativity, or helping others. Use those experiences as a starting point for identifying your core values.

Identify your non-negotiables

What are the things in your life that you simply cannot compromise on? Maybe it's honesty, authenticity, or family. These are the values that are non-negotiable for you.

Evaluate your current

life Look at your life as it is now. Are you living in alignment with your values? If not, what changes can you make to bring your life more in line with your values?

Prioritize your values

Once you have identified your core values, prioritize them. Which ones are most important to you? Which ones do you want to prioritize in your life and career?

Live your values

Now that you have identified your core values, it's time to live them. Make decisions and take actions that align with your values. This may mean making difficult choices, but ultimately, living in alignment with your values will bring you greater satisfaction and fulfillment in life.

Incorporating Core Values into Your Life and Career

Once you have identified your core values, it's important to incorporate them into your life and career. Here are some ways to do that:

Set goals aligned with your values

When you set goals that align with your values, you are more likely to stay motivated and committed to achieving them. For example, if one of your core values is creativity, set a goal to create something new every week.

Make decisions based on your values

When faced with a decision, consider whether it aligns with your values. If it does not, it may not be the best decision for you.

Communicate your values

Let others know what your core values are. This can help you attract people and opportunities that align with your values.

Surround yourself with like-minded individuals

Surrounding yourself with people who share your values can help you stay motivated and inspired.

Re-evaluate regularly

As you grow and change, your values may also evolve. It's important to regularly re-evaluate your values and make sure they are still aligned with who you are and what you want to achieve.

Taking Action

Now, it's time to take action and start living with purpose. Discover your core values, align your life with them, and watch as you grow both personally and professionally.

Remember, your values are your compass. They guide your decisions and shape your character. When you live in alignment with them, you live a life of integrity, authenticity, and fulfillment.

But it's not going to be easy. It's going to take hard work, dedication, and perseverance. You're going to face obstacles and setbacks. You're going to want to quit.

But don't you dare give up. You have a purpose to fulfill, a destiny to reach, and a legacy to leave behind.

As Eric Thomas once said, "When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful." So, breathe life into your purpose and let your core values lead the way. The world is waiting for you to make an impact. Are you ready to step up and make it happen?