Values Alignment & Energy Management
Align your daily actions with your deepest values to unlock natural motivation
You feel exhausted even though you accomplished things. You're busy but not fulfilled. You're successful by external metrics but something feels off. This is misalignment—when your daily actions drift from your core values, burnout follows even if you're "winning."
Values alignment isn't about abandoning your responsibilities—it's about making choices that honor what matters most. When work, relationships, and habits reflect your values, energy flows naturally. Journaling reveals where you're aligned and where you've drifted, then helps you course-correct before exhaustion sets in.
Why Values Alignment Matters
Journaling helps you:
- Clarify your values: Move from vague ideas to specific priorities
- Notice misalignment early: Catch drift before it becomes crisis
- Make values-based decisions: Use your values as a filter for yes/no choices
- Track energy: See what energizes vs. depletes you
Discovering Your Core Values
The Peak Experience Exercise
Reflect on 3-5 moments when you felt most alive, fulfilled, or proud. What values were present?
Journal prompt: "When have I felt most like myself? What was I doing? Who was I with? What mattered in that moment?"
The Deathbed Test
Imagine your life is ending. What would you regret not prioritizing? That's a value.
Journal prompt: "If I had six months left, what would I wish I'd spent more time on? What would I stop doing immediately?"
The Energy Audit
Track what energizes vs. drains you for one week. Patterns reveal your values.
Journal prompt: "What activities leave me feeling full? What leaves me feeling empty, even if 'successful'?"
Your Top 5 Values
From your reflections, identify your 5 core values. Examples: Connection, Growth, Creativity, Freedom, Health, Impact, Family, Adventure
- List them: Write your top 5 values
- Define them: What does each mean to you specifically?
- Rank them: In moments of conflict, which trumps which?
- Test them: Do your daily actions reflect these? If not, there's your work.
Weekly Values Check-In
"Which of my values felt honored this week? Which felt neglected?"
"What decision am I facing? Which choice aligns with my values?"
"Where am I saying yes to things that don't match my values? Why?"
"What energized me this week? What drained me? What does that reveal?"
"If I lived more aligned with my values, what would change?"
Energy Management Through Alignment
Energy isn't about sleep alone—it's about doing things that matter to you.
High-Energy Activities
- Match your top values (e.g., if "Growth" is a value, learning energizes you)
- Use your strengths
- Connect to meaning or impact
Low-Energy Activities
- Conflict with your values (e.g., if "Freedom" matters, rigid rules drain you)
- Lack meaning or purpose
- Feel like obligation, not choice
Monthly Alignment Audit
- Time analysis: Where did my hours go? What percentage aligned with my values?
- Decision review: What major choices did I make? Were they values-driven or fear-driven?
- Energy map: What filled me up? What emptied me?
- Course correction: What one thing can I change next month to increase alignment?