Feeling Lost? Your Personal Values Might Be the Missing Link

Why Knowing Your Core Values Changes Everything

“If you don’t know what you stand for, you’ll fall for anything.”

Although there's some dispute about who originally said this quote, the wisdom still holds.

Knowing what you stand for matters. A lot.

And yet, when I ask people—smart, successful professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs—what their personal values are, I usually get... silence.

They can recite their company’s values by heart, but when it comes to their own? Crickets.

Wait… What Are Values, Really?

We hear the term all the time—on political platforms, company websites, and inspirational posters—but we rarely slow down enough to define what values actually mean for us.

So, here’s my personal definition:
A value is something so important to you that you’d strive for it, fight for it, even sacrifice for it.

It’s not just something you like—it’s a driving force in your life.

When you know your values, you make decisions that feel aligned—decisions you won’t regret, even if they’re hard.

When you don’t?

You end up relying on people-pleasing, second-guessing, or outsourcing your choices to what others expect.

Why Values Matter So Much

Your personal values act like an internal GPS.

They help you:

• Make clear, confident choices (without spiraling into “what ifs”)

• Understand yourself more deeply

• Build stronger relationships—because you can clearly communicate what matters to you

• Avoid burnout—because you stop chasing things that don’t align

There’s no one “right” list of values. What lights me up might not matter as much to you—and that’s a good thing.

Think of your values like your personal north star.

They help you determine the most important things in your life, can determine how comfortable you feel in your social connections, and even influence you subconsciously to purchase products from companies you "sense" have a values alignment!

My Personal Top 5 Values (And Why They Matter to Me)

1. Optimism
I can find the silver lining in any dark cloud and it's one of my favorite things about myself. It’s not just a mindset—it’s a survival skill. Optimism fuels hope, and hope is what keeps us moving forward.

2. Knowledge
I’m a lifelong learner. Not just for my own growth, but so I can show up more fully for my clients. You never know when a book, quote, or conversation will unlock someone’s breakthrough.

3. Resilience
Inevitably, life will knock you down. What matters is that you get back up because life isn't going to stop life-ing just because there are challenges. I admire those who keep going, and I help my clients build that same grit.

4. Time Freedom
If I had to choose between more money or more time? I’ll choose time. Don't get me wrong, money is important, but time freedom is priceless.

5. Transformation
Growth and evolution help us transform and it's something that's really important to me in terms of my own development and that of my clients.

And Yes, Business Values Matter Too

As an entrepreneur and business owner, I have a slightly different set of values that are still important to me but represent the heart of my business and how I want to work with others.

• Connection – Deep, one-to-one transformation where I help my clients connect all the dots and feel confident in themselves and their choices in life.

• Wisdom – The higher octave of knowledge is wisdom because knowledge alone isn't enough without the discernment and insight on how and where to use it.

• Freedom – Helping others find emotional and mental freedom lights me up.

• Transformation – Always. Because change is why we’re here.

A Client Case Study: Living Your Values in Action

One of my clients—a realtor—was considering joining a new team. She was warned about the team leader: “She’s stubborn and can sabotage herself by walking away from good deals.”

That raised a red flag with my client, but she listened to her intuition and took the leap anyway. Later, she saw what her colleagues meant: the team leader did walk away from a tricky deal because the seller kept changing the commission terms.

My client chose to take that deal because she valued the connections it would create more than the financial reward.

Money was important and she was disappointed to earn a reduced commission, but the connections were more important.

After discussing the situation with my client, I helped her see that her team leader passing on a deal wasn’t about stubbornness or self-sabotage—it was about values.

Her teammate likely valued fairness above all. My client valued connection. Two different values, two different decisions—and both were valid.

That’s the beauty and power of clearly defining and knowing your values.

You stop judging others through your own lens and start recognizing the “why” behind their choices.

So, What Do YOU Stand For?

If you can’t name your top 3-5 personal values right now, that’s okay.

You’re not alone.

But imagine how much easier your life could be if you could:

• Say yes (or no) to opportunities with confidence

• Set boundaries without guilt

• Choose paths that feel deeply right—even when they’re not easy

Let’s Get You Aligned

 Want to start? Grab the Values Advantage Workbook for just $9.

It’s packed with guided exercises to help you identify and live your values—your way.

Ready to go deeper? Book a 1:1 session with me.

I’ll help you uncover the core values shaping your choices—and make sure they’re aligned with the life you actually want.

Schedule your private session with me HERE. 

Dr. April Darley is a Lifestyle and Leadership Advisor who specializes in helping busy professionals achieve their goals without sacrificing their health, wealth, and freedom. Through a combination of techniques, you'll learn how to balance leadership and life while developing a growth mindset.