Have you ever reached a goal (maybe a promotion, a weight-loss target, or a financial milestone) only to feel... nothing? You expected a sense of arrival, but instead, you just felt tired. This happens when our goals are "stolen." We pursue them because society, social media, or our parents told us they matter. But if a goal isn't anchored in your Core Values, it will never satisfy you. Today, we aren't looking at the guidebook. We are looking at you. We are finding the internal compass that will make every decision in 2026 easier.
Values are not "aspirations." They are the fundamental beliefs that guide your behavior. They are the "Why" behind the "What." If one of your values is Adventure, but you design a year filled with 80-hour work weeks and no travel, you will be miserable regardless of your success. When you know your values, decision-making becomes instant. You stop asking "Can I do this?" and start asking "Does this align with who I am?" This eliminates the decision fatigue that kills momentum by mid-January. Since this isn't in your guidebook, grab a notebook or open a blank document. Below is a list of potential values. Read through them and notice which ones make your heart beat a little faster. Then, think of your own. Write down as many as you can.
Examples: Adventure, Security, Creativity, Freedom, Discipline, Connection, Health, Growth, Peace, Wealth, Service, Logic, Spontaneity, Integrity, Family.
Step 1: Circle the top 10 words from your list that resonate most with who you want to become.
Step 2: Narrow that list down to 5. Be ruthless. If you had to choose between "Freedom" and "Security," which one wins?
Step 3: These 5 words are the "Constitutional Laws" of your 2026. Every goal we set in the coming weeks must pass the "Core Values Test."
BONUS | The 10-Minute Reset: Take your #1 value and define it. Don't use a dictionary; use your life. If your value is Connection, does that mean having 100 friends, or does it mean a 2-hour uninterrupted dinner with your spouse once a week? Knowing what the word means to you is what gives it power.
Great job today, Reader! I'll see you tomorrow for Day 3!
