Are you living to your full potential at home and work? With 20 years of corporate experience, I’ve learned that business practices like planning, goal-setting, tracking results, and pivoting when necessary can transform both career and personal growth.
Your Values and Vision
The Foundation: Vision and Mission
Successful businesses start with clear vision and mission statements. Similarly, you should develop a personal vision defining who you are, what you stand for, and your aspirations—whether becoming an industry expert or working fewer hours for lifestyle balance.
Understanding Your Values
Values function as your “personal compass” guiding decisions and behaviors. They represent what truly matters to you. Identify your values by reflecting on:
- What brings you happiness?
- What makes you feel pride?
- What causes upset when violated?
Benefits of understanding your core values:
- Promotes consistency and authenticity
- Encourages personal growth
- Inspires resilience during adversity
Recognizing differing values also helps explain why certain people trigger negative reactions—they simply don’t share your principles.
Creating a Personal Vision Statement
Consider these corporate examples:
Ben & Jerry’s focuses on quality, environmental commitment, sustainable growth, and social responsibility through three interconnected missions.
Patagonia’s concise statement: “We’re in business to save our home planet,” with values emphasizing quality, integrity, environmentalism, and justice.
Personal Examples
Denise’s vision statement emphasizes being a self-confident woman excelling at work and inspiring others, combined with devoted motherhood and health prioritization through exercise and nutrition.
Maria’s experience illustrates how unconscious visions guide life choices. She envisioned a specific family and lifestyle, which shaped early decisions leading to her desired reality.
Application to Career
Why shouldn’t business principles apply to your career vision? Treating life as a business provides structure and prevents hasty decisions without considering the bigger picture.
Your Challenge
- Identify your values
- Write them down
- Display them where you’ll see them daily
This is your preparation for developing a life strategy—because if successful companies need a strategic plan, why wouldn’t you?