How do you choose which issue is more important than another in your personal or business life? Do you know how to make the determination? Are you consistent in your measurements of what’s most important? These are great questions. Do you have the answers?
It is true, when you are clear about what you value most, and you are in strong pursuit of those values every day, people start to see you as both self-determined and passionate. The reason is because your inner-most values ultimately determine what is most important to you. They and they alone, control your decisions, actions and future.
Which Issues Are Seen As Most Valuable?
It is simple really. Just find a way to put your top values into action every single day. Your income will skyrocket and your stress level will plummet.
How?
The difference between merely existing on this planet and truly living on this planet is the difference between knowing your values and incorporating them into every decision that you make and every action that you take. In other words, it isn’t enough just to have something written down or learn something new. You have to take the information, and actually apply it. If you don’t apply it, you will continue to have a frustrating online career where others are earning solid incomes and you just throw up your hands and say, “I don’t get it.” Of course you don’t, because you aren’t doing the things that will take you to the next level!
How Do You Start? How Do You Finish?
Often, staying focused and having direction equates to reminding yourself what is important, and then doing the task. How many people do you know that work 10-12 hours a day and get nothing done? I know plenty. Ask yourself two simple questions throughout the day:
What is Important Now? What is Important Next?
If you are living your values, the answers will be simple; if you aren’t, you will have no clue and get frustrated.
Let me share a personal example with you. Many years ago, I entered into a partnership with a company that has been “on again, off again”. Their business model was very opposite of our business model. They were more of a “churn and burn”, while we built relationships and offered real results based on testing. While I realized that there were differences and some obvious red flags, I pursued it as the company needed an injection of cash and that was my main focal point.
This was clearly a decision outside of my values and I took it on purely for financial reasons and it ended up becoming a complete nightmare and no amount of money would have equaled the emotional roller coaster it put not just myself, but the entire company on. Stick with your values.
Many long time members of the SEO Revolution know that I refer to a job as a “security blanket”. You need to get rid of that security blanket and believe in yourself. Do things the way you know they need to be done, on your terms and on your own. Those close to me pointed out that this partnership was my security blanket that I couldn’t let go of. Because of the differences in our business models, actually associating with this company was dragging me down and I just didn’t see it. Spending time in my business journal I could see the toxic elements that were produced from this relationship.
It was time to make a decision. A decision based on my values. The decision was easy. Terminate the relationship and the best way to do it was quick, a la Seinfeld, “Just like a band aid. Right off!” I cannot tell you the relief that I felt, the new vision I had, renewed motivation, a renewed energy level, all because I removed the “albatross” from around my neck.
The Bottom Line: You will never excel or succeed until you connect your actions to something you truly value. It is true, in life and work, passionate desires produce the greatest results.
I believe strongly that in order to be successful in business, you must have the right information, at the right time; however, you also need to have a strong belief in yourself to take the information and apply it. It all starts with having values and sticking to them. Commit to living what you value and everything will change for the better. I know this, as it has for me.
I talk a lot about envisioning what your life would be like if your biggest stress was gone. Think for a moment what your life would be like when you are actually living what is most important to you. It would be amazing, wouldn’t it? Get out your business journal and take a hard look at your life. Don’t filter your observations with the “good enough” lens. Expect more! You know you deserve more.