Knowing your values is the start. Living them is where life starts to feel different. This lesson helps you see how closely your daily life lines up with your core values, and where the biggest gaps are.
The alignment check
For each of your five core values, rate two things from 1 to 10:
- Importance: how much this value matters to you (most core values will be 8–10).
- Lived: how fully your current life reflects it, based on the last 30 days, not your intentions.
The gap between those two numbers is your alignment gap. A large gap is not a failure. It’s useful information. It shows you exactly where change will make the biggest difference to how fulfilled you feel.
Look for evidence, not impressions
To keep the “lived” score honest, look at three sources of evidence:
- Your calendar. Where did your time actually go?
- Your spending. Where did your money actually go?
- Your attention. What did you think about, worry about and talk about most?
If family is a top value but your calendar shows two rushed dinners a week, the evidence is telling you something. If creativity is a value but you haven’t made anything in months, that’s worth noticing too.
Small moves close big gaps
You don’t need to overhaul your life to start living your values. Small, repeated actions often close the gap faster than one dramatic change. For each value with a big gap, choose one values-aligned action you can take this week. For example:
- Health: a 20-minute walk three mornings this week.
- Connection: call one friend you’ve been meaning to reach.
- Growth: read for 15 minutes before bed instead of scrolling.
- Integrity: have the honest conversation you’ve been avoiding.
Using values in the moment
When you face a choice, big or small, ask: Which option is most in line with my core values? You won’t always pick that option; life has trade-offs. But when you choose against a value, you’ll do it consciously, and you’re less likely to drift far without noticing.
Try this: your alignment map
Complete the Alignment Check worksheet. Circle the value with the biggest gap and commit to one action for it this week. Notice how it feels to act in line with what matters to you; that feeling is the core of a life by design.
Workbook: complete Worksheet 6, “The Alignment Check”, in your Personal Transformation workbook.