In a world that moves faster than ever, it’s easy to lose track of what truly matters. But if we want to live a great life—not just a busy one—we must slow down long enough to ask ourselves: Am I living in alignment with my values?
That question may seem simple, but it’s foundational. It’s the compass that guides our actions, our relationships, our work, and ultimately our legacy.
Stephen Covey, in his landmark work The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, reminded us that the most effective people begin with the end in mind and put first things first. That’s values in action.
It’s not enough to have values—we must live them. Covey wrote, “Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconscious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character.” In other words, you show your values not in what you say, but in what you do, again and again.
So what does it look like to build a great life on values?
1. Begin with the End in Mind—But Live Today on Purpose
Covey’s second habit challenges us to envision our ideal future. Not just success, but significance. Not just achievement, but contribution. What do you want people to say about you at your retirement party—or your funeral? That’s your true north.
Action step: Write a personal mission statement. One that reflects your deepest values. Read it every morning. Let it remind you of who you are and who you are becoming.
2. Put First Things First—Make Time for What Matters Most
If you value family, but your calendar is filled with work and distractions, there’s a disconnect. If you say integrity matters, but you’re cutting corners or making excuses, the foundation cracks.
Covey’s time management matrix is a powerful lens: Focus on what’s important rather than just what’s urgent. The “Quadrant II” activities—planning, learning, relationship-building—are where value-based living happens.
Action step: Each week, schedule one thing that feeds your values: a walk with your spouse, a quiet reflection, a note of appreciation to a client or team member. Protect that time like your life depends on it—because your great life does.
3. Sharpen the Saw—Invest in Your Whole Self
Living your values requires energy. That means caring for your body, your mind, your spirit. Covey called this “renewal.” Without it, we burn out. With it, we show up as our best selves.
Action step: Make it a non-negotiable to nourish all four areas of your life each week—physical, mental, emotional/social, and spiritual. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. A workout. A book. A lunch with a mentor. A morning meditation. Over time, those practices shape your character.
4. Be Proactive—You Choose Who You Are Becoming
Covey’s first habit is perhaps the most powerful: Be proactive. You are not your circumstances. You are your choices. Every day, you decide whether to honor your values or betray them.
Will you gossip or speak truth? Will you delay or take action? Will you react in frustration or respond in love? Every moment is a test—and an opportunity to grow.
Action step: Identify one area where you’re not currently living in alignment with your values. What’s one small shift you can make today to correct your course?
The greatness of a life is not measured in numbers—it’s measured in alignment. When our outer actions reflect our inner convictions, we experience the peace of integrity and the power of purpose.
So this month, I invite you to return to your values. Write them down. Reflect on them. Align your habits with them. Because as Covey taught us, you sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.
Build your life on what matters. And live each day like it does.