007 from noise to clarity
I’ll never forget the moment it clicked for me. I was staring at my calendar—jammed full of things that looked important, but none of them felt like me. I had been living full, but not living aligned.
That’s when I started the slow work of naming my values. And what I discovered is this: your values are a compass. Once you know them, decisions shift. Saying yes feels anchored. Saying no comes with more peace.
For me, two values have risen again and again:
Wholeheartedness. To live authentically and bring my full self to my family, my work, my faith. I practice this through journaling, the pursuit of healing, honest conversations, and seeking counsel from those ahead of me.
Simplicity. To clear the clutter—both physical and mental—so there’s space for what matters. My wife and I regularly declutter our home. I unsubscribe ruthlessly from emails. I try to build margin into my week so there’s room for rest and presence.
Living intentionally doesn’t mean I have it all figured out. It means I pause often enough to course-correct when life drifts…and life drifts a lot for me at this stage.
Here’s a simple practice for you this week:
Write down your top three values. Then look at your calendar. Where do you see them showing up? Where are they absent? Shoot me a quick note if you did this and found it to be helpful.
It’s not about shame—it’s about awareness. Awareness precedes change. And awareness is the doorway to alignment.
Big Ideas
Values increase resilience: By taking the time to define your core values, you decrease the likelihood that you will drift and begin to uncover your true self and develop resilience.
Multitasking isn’t possible: You can’t multitask, you can only shift attention. And the shifting attention takes a huge toll on your focus and thinking. We waste a ton of time switching between each task. That time is gone. I feel like this is even amplified in today’s world. Man, do I struggle with shifting attention!
**Just a heads-up: this post may include some affiliate links, so if you make a purchase, I might earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, I only share books & resources that I personally use and love!
What I’m reading
Star Wars: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray (If you’re a Star Wars fan, send me your favorite novel!)
On the Road With Saint Augustine by James K.A. Smith
What I’m listening to
This one page made me financially free by Gabe Bult on YouTube. A great perspective on building wealth!
Quote for reflection
From Franklin Covey:
People are working harder than ever, but because they lack clarity and vision, they aren’t getting very far. They, in effect, are pushing a rope with all of their might.
Take care,
Mark