Why Anchoring to Your Values Is Key to Making Empowered Choices

In business and in life, we’re faced with countless decisions—some easier than others. But the most empowering decisions come when we align our choices with our core values. It’s not always easy, especially when external pressures like financial stress come into play.

Yet, staying true to your values not only protects your integrity but often saves you from bigger challenges down the line.

I experienced this firsthand when I faced cash flow problems in my business. It was a tough time, and the pressure to bring in revenue was overwhelming. So when a client approached me with a lucrative offer, it seemed like a no-brainer to say yes.

But deep down, I knew our values didn’t align. I could tell from our initial conversations that this client’s approach and priorities were at odds with what I believed in and how I ran my business.

Despite my instincts, I convinced myself that saying yes was the smart choice because it would ease the financial pressure. But as soon as we began working together, it became clear I had made a mistake.

The mismatch in values led to constant friction and frustration. I was doing work that didn’t resonate with me, and it drained my energy. Eventually, I had to make an even harder decision: have the difficult conversation with the client to end our working relationship.

?That conversation was far tougher than it would have been if I had just said no from the start. Looking back, I realise how much smoother the process—and my peace of mind—would have been if I had anchored myself to my values from the beginning.

?It was a hard lesson, but one that taught me the power of making choices aligned with my core beliefs.

This experience speaks to one of the central themes in You Always Have a Choice —the idea that, no matter the circumstances, we have the power to choose how we respond.

When you’re faced with a decision, especially in difficult situations, grounding yourself in your values becomes your guiding compass. It’s easy to be swayed by fear, financial strain, or external pressures, but those choices made from a place of panic often lead to more complications.

Staying anchored to your values doesn’t mean you’ll always make the easiest decision, but it ensures that you’re acting in alignment with who you are and what you stand for.

And when you make decisions from that place, even the hard conversations become more manageable because you’re coming from a place of integrity.

So how do you make sure your choices reflect your values??

1.???? Pause and Reflect: Before making a decision, take a step back and ask yourself if it aligns with your core values. If you feel unease, that’s a signal to pause.

2.???? Trust Your Instincts: Your gut often knows when something doesn’t feel right. Trust that inner voice, even when external pressures try to drown it out.

3.???? Prioritise Long-Term Integrity Over Short-Term Gain: While it might feel like the immediate benefits outweigh the risks, compromising your values can lead to much bigger issues later.

By anchoring your choices to your values, you’re not just protecting your business—you’re creating a life that’s authentically yours.

Yes, you always have a choice, and the best choices are the ones that honour your deepest beliefs.

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