Much time is spent by businesses, some successful and some not so much, on defining and attempting to do business by CORE VALES. Money, time, energy and much soul searching is spent on trying to do just that. The ability to do this successfully generally results in profit, employee retention, and passionate customers. The failure of one or both of these objectives will generally lead to declining business results, negative workplace energy, fragmented company culture, and a confused and dwindling customer base.

How much time have you spent on defining and living by your core PERSONAL VALUES? Have you a personal MISSION STATEMENT? Are you succeeding in this life task?

One must break down those core values that they wish to represent to themselves and to others. It is okay and also it is essential to a system of perpetual improvement to include aspirational values. Those consist of those values that one does not yet have in their tool belt as a functioning human – but that one aspires to one day obtain and display. Think. Reflect. Dwell on all of the qualities that you would like to exude as both a physical and spiritual being.

Your core group of values can be few in number or it can be extensive. The key is that they make up the “you” that you are striving to become. This set of personal core values will change over time as one evolves along their life’s journey. You should never be fully satisfied and should constantly try to improve. But you should still take great satisfaction upon attaining and exuding each of your personal core values.

Celebrate your personal and spiritual growth. This spurs on continued and greater success as you aspire to be more. Never stop challenging yourself to keep improving. Never shy away from defining a true aspirational value for yourself. Never surrender to the fear of failure.

This can be as simple as “Be respectful, have a strong work ethic, and have faith”. It can be as broad or detailed as you would like it to be. It is yours to shape and mold throughout your life. Define it, embrace it, and live by it.

Periodically review your personal values and personal mission statement. Celebrate it. Add to it and modify it to reflect the “you” that you are now, at this moment, striving to become.

It is one of the most important things that you will ever do. Don’t shuffle it off to some future date. Embrace this task and just do it. Your life’s journey requires it and your evolution as a spiritual being will continue to benefit from this exercise.

KGM