Building Personal Values That Actually Matter
Values are your operating system for life. They guide decisions, relationships, and growth. Let's explore how to create meaningful personal values.
KA
by Kinza Azmat
The Power of Personal Values
Decision Clarity
When you know what matters, choices become clearer.
Relationship Filter
The right values attract the right people.
Confidence Boost
Knowing who you are helps you move with purpose.
Saying No
Values give you permission to walk away.
Ground Rules for Value Creation
Keep It Simple
Focus on 5-8 core values maximum.
Make It Personal
Write them in your own voice.
Practical Application
They should guide real-life decisions.
Emotional Weight
Each value needs both emotional and practical significance.
Discovering Your True Values
Stories That Matter
- Moments of pride
- Walking away felt right
- Worthwhile conflicts
- Recognizing wrong relationships
Hard Choices
- Personal sacrifices
- Refusing to compromise
- Standing alone
- Costly but right decisions
Making Values Authentic
Raw Truth
Combine facts and feelings for authenticity.
The Why
Engage both logic and emotion.
Real-Life Writing
Skip Instagram inspiration. Write from experience.
Sharing My Vision, Mission, & Core Values
Vision Statement
A clear and concise statement of what you want to achieve in the long term.
Mission Statement
How you will achieve your vision, including your key goals and strategies.
Core Values
Underlying principles that guide your actions and decisions.
Vision: "I want to help create a world where entrepreneurs can build real, sustainable businesses without sacrificing what matters most - their families, health, and personal growth."
Mission: "I share the tough lessons I've learned in business to protect others from costly mistakes, while showing them it's possible to succeed without losing yourself in the process."
Core Values:
- Keep it Real - No sugar-coating, just authentic effort and honest results
- Protect Others - Use my battle scars to help others avoid the same pitfalls
- Balance Matters - Success means nothing if you lose your health and relationships
- Truth Above All - Fighting the BS and hype in business
What I Bring to the Table:
- I've lived both worlds: corporate leadership and entrepreneurship
- Built and bought real businesses ($26M in deals)
- Been through the highs and lows (including getting fired for being too good!)
- Not afraid to share the messy truth (writing a book about it)
How I Help:
Deal Support
- Help you find the right opportunity for you
- Show you what real due diligence looks like and how to run it
- We set you up for success and keep you from getting burned
Business Navigation
- Guide you through corporate-to-entrepreneur transitions
- Help you play the game without losing yourself
- Share what really works (and what doesn't)
Real-World Guidance
- No theory - just what actually works
- Learn from my mistakes and wins
- Stay protected while building your dream
Structuring Your Values
1
2
3
4
5
1
Character
Who you are
2
Mindset
How you think
3
Action
What you do
4
Craft
How you do it
5
Purpose
Why you do it
Your values should read like your personal story, not a self-help book.
Avoiding Common Value Traps
1
Aspirational vs. Real
Write who you are, not who you wish to be.
2
Vague Platitudes
Avoid values too nice or meaningless to use.
3
Inauthentic Language
Use your own words, not borrowed phrases.
4
Overcomplication
Keep it simple and memorable.
The Reality Check
Your values aren't real if they don't help you make tough choices. They should guide relationships, career moves, and daily decisions.
If it doesn't cost you something, it's not a value. If it doesn't make some people uncomfortable, it's not a value.
Now go forth and conquer with your authentic personal values!