How to Live Your Life With Intention
By: Benjamin Mumme
Tags: Growth Mindset, Authenticity, Values, Advice, Personal Development

How to Live Your Life With Intention

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“When values, thoughts, feelings, and actions are in alignment, a person becomes focused and character is strengthened.” — John C. Maxwell.

Your character is defined by values. And your values are the result of your behaviour. That means your values are defined by your actions — not the other way around.

To live your life with purpose, it is important to know your core values (also called personal values). Once you have selected your core values, you must stay committed and honour them.

What Are Core Values?

In short, your core values are the beliefs you hold about what is most important in your life. That said, your core values indicate where you invest your time, energy and attention. It helps you determine if you are on the right path fulfilling your goals and dreams.

There is a difference between goals and values. However, it is important to know the interconnection between core values and goals.

A goal is defined as “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.”

Goals represent the decisions we make and the commitments we take in order to reach attainment, break some bad habits, adopt useful habits or achieve more in different areas of life. They enable us to achieve focus in life by helping us to determine what we want. They keep us motivated and propelled, constantly putting us in state of action.

When properly conceived and pursued, goals can can help us to maximize the one and only life we want to live.

Values, on the other hand, are about how you consciously choose to show up in relationships, at work, and in the way you navigate your desire map. You commit to values daily and never reach a final destination. Your values are a lifelong practice.

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Why Is It Important to Identify Your Core Values?

Your values are like a compass: a reliable tool that can help you out when you’re trying to figure out which way to go.

The map you navigate with is made up of your dreams, and your vision for the future you want to live. The compass doesn’t tell you everything along the way, but it does help keep you pointed in the right direction.

To break things down more deliberately, defining your core values will make you feel a profound sense of meaning and satisfaction in your life. More specifically, knowing and honouring your values will benefit you in the following ways:

You will stay on track — Defining and documenting your values solidifies your self-identity. And how you see yourself determines how you’ll act each day.

Defining and documenting your values solidifies your self-identity. And how you see yourself determines how you’ll act each day. You will prioritize your time — When we aren’t clear on our values, we tend to prioritize the things we “should” or “expected” to do, and that often leaves little room for the things that really matters.

— When we aren’t clear on our values, we tend to prioritize the things we “should” or “expected” to do, and that often leaves little room for the things that really matters. You will simplify your decision-making — When you know what your core values are, making decisions is much easier because your values provide a boundary container in which aligned decisions can be made. The best choice, for you, becomes clear when you look at them in the context of your values.

When you know what your core values are, making decisions is much easier because your values provide a boundary container in which aligned decisions can be made. The best choice, for you, becomes clear when you look at them in the context of your values. You will feel more like yourself — When your core values are clearly defined, and you take consistent and sustainable action towards living in integrity with those values, you’ll feel more confident and alive. You will know who you are and managing self-doubt will become infinitely easier.

— When your core values are clearly defined, and you take consistent and sustainable action towards living in integrity with those values, you’ll feel more confident and alive. You will know who you are and managing self-doubt will become infinitely easier. You will make less mistakes — Building something great takes discipline and patience, but one toxic mistake can bring it all crumbling down. Your values help you avoid those toxic decisions or behaviours before you pursue them.

Building something great takes discipline and patience, but one toxic mistake can bring it all crumbling down. Your values help you avoid those toxic decisions or behaviours before you pursue them. You will have more clarity with your goals — Remember that values are different than goals? Well, that doesn’t mean goals aren’t necessary for growth. The key, though, is to set goals based on your values. This will make your goals less result focused and more fulfilling.

— Remember that values are different than goals? Well, that doesn’t mean goals aren’t necessary for growth. The key, though, is to set goals based on your values. This will make your goals less result focused and more fulfilling. You will create meaning in everyday life — It’s inevitable that you have to do difficult things and face discomfort in life. But looking at these challenges through the lens of your values can shift your narrative.

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How to Define Your Core Values?

To create more meaning and satisfaction in your life, the first step is to define your core values.

Here is a 5-step structure you can use to define your core values:

1. Prepare Yourself for Deep Work — You need to set the stage for deep, focused inner work. Give yourself focused time and space. Deep work requires a consistent period of undivided attention. You also need a physical environment that will help you feel connected and stay focused. Lastly, eliminate any potential distractions. If you have your phone by you, turn it off or put it in airplane mode.

2. Read Through a List of Core Values — Start your values exploration through reading “The Ultimate List of Core Values” by Scott Jeffrey. Exploring a list of values helps you decide what’s most important to you.

3. Choose 5 Core Values — You should have a range of values that feel important to you. Take time to go deeper and identify your top 5 values. To help with this process, group any similar values together. Each core value you select should feel distinct from the others.

4. Prioritize Your Core Values — The final level of clarity you can define with your values is prioritization. Of the core values you’ve defined, which is most important to you right now?

5. Define Your Core Values — Solidify your commitment to your core values by writing them down, along with what they mean to you. These definitions don’t need to be perfect. All that matters is that it resonates with you.

For example, one of your core values could be authenticity.

Value: Authenticity.

What it means to you: Living a life that’s true to what I care about.

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Let Your Values Lead You to Your Greatest Life

Life can be difficult to navigate. There are endless options of where to go and what to do, and constant demands for your time and attention.

Knowing your core values helps you find meaning in daily life, live with integrity, and stay on track with what matters most to you. Once this happens, you will never want to be anything else but yourself.