Have you ever designed the “perfect” schedule, downloaded the latest habit tracker, or committed to a new morning routine, only to find yourself resisting it a week later?
When we struggle to stay consistent, we usually blame our discipline. We tell ourselves we just need to work harder or be more focused. But after years of coaching, I’ve discovered that the problem usually isn’t your willpower…it’s your alignment.
If your productivity systems aren’t rooted in your Core Values, they will always feel draining.
What Are Core Values, Really?
Core values are the fundamental beliefs and principles that guide your behavior and decisions. As John Maxwell says, “Your core values are the deeply held beliefs that authentically describe your soul.”
Think of them as a filter. In a world full of noise, “shoulds,” and endless opportunities, your values help you sift through the chaos to find the choices that actually feel right. When your systems match your values, life feels grounded and effective. When they don’t, you experience resistance, guilt, and eventually, burnout.
The Cost of Misalignment
We often see a breakdown in motivation as a personal failure. In reality, it’s often just a sign that the structure of your life isn’t aligned with what matters most to you.
For example, I recently shared a story on the Positively Living Podcast about my own business. I value Integrity deeply. I’ve been offered many lucrative sponsorships and affiliate deals, but I’ve turned most of them down. Why? Because if I recommend something I don’t 100% believe in, I’m violating a core value. Choosing integrity over extra income might seem counterintuitive to some, but for me, it brings clarity and peace. When you know your values, you stop fighting yourself.
How to Find Your “Anchor” Values
If you’re ready to build a productivity style that actually honors who you are, I recommend walking through these four steps (which you can find in the Positively Productive Toolkit):
- Explore the Possibilities: Start with a broad list of words—integrity, creativity, adventure, peace, service. Notice which ones resonate. Don’t worry about being “right”; just notice what feels familiar.
- Reflect on Meaningful Moments: Look back at your life. When have you felt most proud? When have you felt most frustrated? Often, our frustrations occur when a value is being compromised.
- Group and Refine: You might find themes. For example, “kindness,” “compassion,” and “empathy” might all fall under one umbrella for you. Pick the specific word that feels most “you.”
- Choose Your Top Five: It’s hard to prioritize everything. By narrowing it down to five “anchor” values, you create a clear compass for your daily decisions.
From Recognition to Alignment
Once you have your values, look at your current schedule.
- Where is there tension? If you value “Learning” but haven’t read a book or taken a course in months, that’s why you feel unsatisfied.
- Where is the flow? Celebrate the areas where you are already living in alignment.
This isn’t about fixing yourself; it’s about recognizing yourself. When you allow your life to align with your truth, the overwhelm softens and the “work” starts to feel a lot more like living.
Ready to dig deeper? This is just the first step in building a shame-free productivity foundation. You can download the full Core Values Workbook inside my free Positively Productive Toolkit here.
