START 2025 WITH FOCUS:

Principle-Based Values to Transform Your Year Ahead

GET CLEAR ON YOUR NORTH STAR

(Or Die Following Someone Else’s)

When it comes to aligning your life with what truly matters, Principle-Based Values are essential. These aren’t fleeting preferences or lifestyle aspirations; they’re the deep, unshakable qualities that define how you want to live and what you stand for.

If Lifestyle-Based Values are the external architecture that make up your life, Principle-Based Values form the inner foundation; the fundamental qualities you hold most dear.

Think of them as your north star, guiding you through life’s choices and challenges.

If you’re not intentionally living by your highest values and priorities, you’ll forever be bending a knee to someone else’s.

While there are countless values to choose from, identifying the ones that resonate with you most is key. It’s not just about listing what’s important; it’s about distilling those qualities into a powerful philosophy you can live by daily.

THE FOUR STEP PROCESS:

Identify Your Core Values

HOW TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT MOST

It's difficult to distil such a large list of qualities into a philosophy that's manageable.

Chances are, you're going to value a lot of qualities on the list below. This isn’t just about clarifying what you value, but what you truly value most. There's a simple four step process that you can use here:

  1. Examine the list for words that have an immediate resonance.

  2. Start by carefully selecting your top 10.

  3. Once you have your top 10, whittle that list down to 5. This is challenging but necessary. You might find overlaps, and that some words encompass several others. Perhaps “freedom” encompasses both “independence” and “adventure.”

  4. Once you have your top 5, rank them in order of importance.

    This process forces you to get crystal clear about what truly matters. It’s not about rejecting values, but identifying the essence of your principles.

    Which value is your guiding light? Which principles support your vision-for-life with the most resonance?

BRIDGING THE GAP:

What To Do When Your Values Don’t Match Your Current Reality

LINKING A LOW-VALUE LIFESTYLE TO A HIGH-VALUE VISION

If you notice a gap between what you value most and your current reality, don’t despair.

That gap is part of your feedback system to help you reorient your life to what it is that you truly care about. It's a challenge, but if you feel stuck, practice the thought process of linking your current life situation to your higher values and vision. 

For instance, if you value creativity but feel trapped in a monotonous routine, reframe your situation. Perhaps that routine provides financial stability to fund your creative pursuits. By shifting your perspective, you can reduce the stress of not being where you want to be, and gain greater clarity on the steps you need to take to shift gears and course correct.

  • Start creating a new reality with the time and the energy that you have

  • Begin with small manageable bite size chunks

  • Start saying "no" to all the low-priority distractions so you can say "yes" to what truly matters

  • Create an environment that reflects your values; the kind of environment that fosters the alignment that you know you need. 

Whether it’s the people you spend time with, the media you consume, or the physical spaces you inhabit, ensure your environment supports your values and your vision for life. Each action you take, no matter how small, can move you closer to your dream life, or pull you further away. Choose wisely.

DISCERNING YOUR PRINCIPLE-BASED VALUES:

The Top 10 Categories To Spark Insight and Inspiration

Core Personal Principles

  • Integrity: Honesty, ethics, and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

  • Accountability: Taking ownership of your actions, responsibilities, and goals.

  • Authenticity: Embracing your true self, living aligned with your values.

  • Discipline: Maintaining self-control and commitment to your goals.

  • Self-respect: Setting boundaries and valuing your own worth.

Relationships and Community Values

  • Compassion: Empathy and care for others' well-being.

  • Generosity: Sharing time, resources, or kindness without expecting returns.

  • Loyalty: Being steadfast in relationships, through thick and thin.

  • Cooperation: Working harmoniously with others to achieve shared goals.

  • Community: Valuing connection and belonging within groups or society.

  • Family: Prioritizing love, support, and time with loved ones.

  • Support: Offering help and understanding to those in need.

  • Belonging: Creating and appreciating spaces where you feel accepted and valued.

  • Altruism: Selflessness and dedication to the greater good of others.

Growth and Achievement

  • Self-improvement: Continuously striving to better yourself.

  • Self-actualization: Reaching your fullest potential and living a purposeful life.

  • Personal growth: Developing emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

  • Excellence: Pursuing the highest standards in all areas of life.

  • Mastery: Achieving expertise and skill in chosen pursuits.

  • Success: Realizing your aspirations and accomplishments.

  • Ambition: Driving motivation to achieve your goals and dreams.

  • Wealth: Building financial abundance and security.

  • Commitment: Staying dedicated to your objectives.

  • Perseverance: Staying resilient through challenges and setbacks.

Intellectual and Creative Values

  • Curiosity: Seeking to learn, explore, and understand the world.

  • Creativity: Expressing imagination and innovation.

  • Originality: Thinking independently and valuing unique perspectives.

  • Intelligence: Valuing critical thinking and mental development.

  • Insightfulness: Seeking deep understanding and clarity of thought.

  • Education: A lifelong love for learning and knowledge.

  • Focus: Concentrating effort and attention to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Health and Well-being

  • Vitality: Prioritizing physical and mental energy for longevity.

  • Well-being: Focusing on happiness, balance, and health.

  • Fitness: Maintaining physical health through exercise and activity.

  • Laughter: Valuing joy, humor, and lighthearted moments in life.

  • Self-compassion: Practicing kindness and forgiveness toward oneself.

  • Tranquillity: Valuing inner peace and harmony.

Emotional and Spiritual Principles

  • Gratitude: Practicing appreciation for life and its blessings.

  • Joy: Embracing moments of happiness and contentment.

  • Faith: Trusting in something greater, whether spiritual or philosophical.

  • Humility: Remaining modest and open to growth.

  • Honesty: Speaking and living with truthfulness and transparency.

  • Elegance: Seeking beauty, grace, and simplicity in life.

  • Compassion: Feeling and acting with care for others and yourself.

  • Inner harmony: Cultivating alignment between thoughts, emotions, and actions.

  • Intuition: Trusting inner wisdom and instinctive understanding.

  • Truth: Pursuing what is genuine and authentic.

  • Unity: Fostering harmony and collaboration among people and ideas.

  • Love: Nurturing deep connections and heart-based consciousness.

Ethical and Societal Values

  • Equality: Upholding fairness and justice for all.

  • Sustainability: Caring for the environment and future generations.

  • Diversity: Embracing different perspectives and cultures.

  • Contribution: Adding value to society through work or community efforts.

  • Justice: Standing for truth, fairness, and what is right.

  • Teamwork: Collaborating effectively and valuing collective effort.

  • Traditionalism: Honouring lineage and time-tested practices.

Practicalities for Life and Work

  • Dependability: Being someone others can rely on.

  • Efficiency: Using time, energy, and resources wisely.

  • Effectiveness: Achieving desired results with precision.

  • Organization: Valuing structure, order, and preparedness.

  • Simplicity: Stripping away excess to focus on what truly matters.

  • Structure: Creating systems and frameworks for stability and clarity.

  • Practicality: Approaching life with realistic and actionable solutions.

  • Professionalism: Upholding high standards of conduct and performance.

Adventure and Exploration

  • Freedom: Cherishing autonomy and the ability to choose your path.

  • Adventure: Embracing new experiences and exploring the unknown.

  • Spontaneity: Enjoying moments of unplanned joy and excitement.

  • Flexibility: Adapting to change with openness and ease.

  • Exploration: Seeking discovery in the world around and within yourself.

  • Boldness: Taking risks and standing confidently in your decisions.

Leadership and Influence

  • Responsibility: Taking charge of your actions and their outcomes.

  • Leadership: Guiding others with vision and strength.

  • Assertiveness: Communicating confidently and advocating for yourself and others.

  • Service: Making a meaningful difference in others' lives.

  • Honour: Living with dignity and upholding moral principles.

  • Legacy: Focusing on leaving a lasting positive impact.

  • Fame: Gaining recognition and acknowledgment for achievements.

  • Power: Exercising influence to create meaningful change.

  • Vision: Strategically shaping your life to enact your dream life.

  • Wisdom: Applying knowledge and experience to navigate life thoughtfully.