The Hidden Stress of Misalignment: When Your Values and Strengths Don't Match Your Daily Life

Ever feel like you're drifting through life without a clear sense of direction? It might be because your values and strengths are not aligned with what you do every day. This misalignment can cause significant stress and discontentment, preventing you from reaching your full potential and living a fulfilled life.

The Stress of Being Out of Alignment

We all have core values and inherent strengths that shape who we are and what we are capable of achieving. When our daily activities and career paths do not reflect these values and strengths, we experience friction and stress. This stress arises because we are essentially living outside of our true selves, leading to feelings of unfulfillment and frustration.

Imagine spending everyday working in a job that does not resonate with your values or utilizing skills that do not come naturally to you. Over time, this dissonance can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and a general sense of unhappiness. To live a life of purpose and fulfillment, it is crucial to align your daily activities with your core values and strengths.

Understanding Your Values and Strengths

Before you can realign your life, you need to understand who you are at your core. This involves a deep dive into your values, strengths, weaknesses, and passions. Here are some steps to help you assess and align your values and strengths with your career path:

1. Reflect on Your Current Situation:

• Ask yourself, honestly, if you are happy with what you are doing in your career and daily life.
• Fill in the blank: I feel most stressed when ____________________

2. Identify Your Core Values:

• Define your top values and what’s most important to you
• If you’re not sure what your top values are Click HERE for a free workbook that will walk you through a simple exercise to determine your top 7.
• Reflect on past experiences where you felt truly satisfied and note the values that were being honored in those moments.

3. Assess Your Strengths:

• Think about the tasks that come naturally to you and those you excel at.
• Write a list of the activities that energize you and where you receive positive feedback from others.
• I offer two strengths assessments that will provide you with detailed reports on what your inherent strengths are. Click here to take both.

Steps to Align Your Values and Strengths with Your Career

Once you have a clear understanding of your values and strengths, it’s time to take action to realign your career and daily activities:

1. Evaluate Your Current Career:

• Reflect on whether your current role aligns with your identified values and strengths.
• Make a list of changes that can be made within your current job to better align with your core values and strengths.

2. Seek Mentorship and Guidance:

• Find mentors or career coaches who can provide guidance and support you in any realignment of your career
• Study and learn from individuals who have successfully aligned their careers with their values and strengths.

3. Set Clear Goals and Take Action:

• Define clear, achievable goals for your career transition.
• Create a step-by-step plan to reach these goals, including gaining necessary skills or qualifications.

4. Stay Accountable:

• Share your goals with a trusted friend, mentor, or coach who can hold you accountable.
• Regularly review your progress and make adjustments as needed.

Embrace the Journey of Alignment

Realigning your career and daily activities with your values and strengths is a journey that requires self-awareness, reflection, and action. By taking the time to understand who you are at your core and making intentional changes, you can reduce stress and live a more fulfilling life. Remember, the goal is to live in harmony with your true self, where your daily activities reflect your values and utilize your strengths, leading to greater satisfaction and a sense of purpose.

Resources to align your values with what you do daily:

• Determining Your Values Workbook
• Finding Your Strengths Assessments
• Episode 49 of The Monday Morning Mojo Podcast: How Is Your Sense of Direction