How to Align Your Career with Your Core Values (in 4 simple steps)

Read time: 6 minutes

Finding clarity in your career isn’t just about climbing the ladder or checking off boxes.

It’s about aligning what you do with who you are — your core values, passions, and purpose.

When your career matches your values, work becomes more than just a job. It becomes a meaningful part of your life.

But how do you get there?

Today, I want to share four simple steps you can take to start aligning your career with your core values. These steps will help you find greater fulfillment, satisfaction, and clarity in your professional life.

Let’s dive in.

What Most People Get Wrong About Their Career

Many people believe that success in their career is about achieving external markers like titles, promotions, or salary increases.

Note: there’s nothing inherently wrong with pushing your career forward and making more money.

But here’s the truth: these external achievements often lead to fleeting satisfaction.

The real, lasting fulfillment comes from aligning your career with your core values — what truly matters to you at a deeper level.

People often make the mistake of ignoring their values when making career decisions, believing that they must sacrifice what they care about to succeed professionally.

This disconnect can lead to burnout, dissatisfaction, and even resentment towards work.

Instead, I encourage you to start viewing your career as a platform to express your values. Whether it’s creativity, collaboration, or making a difference in the world — aligning your work with your values can make all the difference.

You’ll find joy in what you do and feel more energized and purposeful.

How the Pandemic Taught Us to Prioritize What Matters

Here’s a quick flashback to what I believe will be one of the most remembered times in modern history.

The pandemic was a wake-up call for many of us.

It taught us the value of time, health, and meaningful connections.

As the lines between work and life blurred, many people started rethinking their careers. They realized the importance of prioritizing what truly matters at home and in their professional lives.

For some, this meant eliminating clutter — the piles of junk we organized in our homes and the endless list of unnecessary tasks and meetings.

For others, it involved rethinking their entire career path.

The pandemic gave us the space to reflect on what we want our lives to look like, and many of us discovered that what we were doing for a living didn’t align with our true selves nor support how we wanted to spend our time.

This was an invitation to rethink not just how we work but why we work.

Rethinking the Role You Want Work to Play in Your Life

Work can mean different things to different people — a source of income, a means of personal growth, or a platform for impact.

The key is to be clear about what role you want work to play in your life.

Ask yourself:

• Is work just a job, or is it a calling — something deeper?
• Do you want it to be your primary source of fulfillment, or is it simply a way to support other passions and priorities?

By understanding the role you want work to play, you can make better choices about where to invest your time and energy.

This clarity helps you navigate career decisions more effectively. Instead of feeling stuck in a job that doesn’t satisfy you, you can seek out opportunities that align with your desired role for work in your life.

Ok, this sounds great, Ron, but how do I do this? Where do I start?

Maybe you have a family to support or a list of other obligations and responsibilities that majorly influence how you think about and approach work. The season of life you’re currently in also matters and should be considered.

That said, here’s a simple exercise you can do right now:

• Action Step: Take 5 minutes to write down what role you want work to play in your life. Is your current career path aligned with that vision? If not, think about one change you could make to bring it closer.

For some, maybe that means focusing on decluttering unnecessary possessions and payments to lower your cost of living.

For others, it may involve learning a new skill or developing skills you already have but haven’t prioritized.

Let’s blow this out into a clear and concise action plan you can begin implementing this week.

It’s about finding work that doesn’t just pay the bills but also aligns with our values and brings us fulfillment.

4 Simple Steps to Career and Values Alignment

Step 1: Identify your core values using a simple process

Identifying your core values is a crucial step in aligning your career with what matters most to you.

Your core values are the fundamental beliefs that guide your decisions and actions. When you’re clear about your values, you can make career choices that feel authentic and fulfilling.

Start by reflecting on moments when you felt truly fulfilled. What was happening? Who were you with? What values were being honored?

This exercise can help you identify the values that matter most to you.

My core values worksheet is a great way to do this effectively.

Step 2: Conduct a career values audit

Once you have a list of core values, consider how they align with your current job or career path. Are there any conflicts? Are there opportunities to better integrate your values into your work?

Identifying these gaps can help you take necessary actionable steps toward a more aligned career.

For example, before quitting my job nearly a year ago, I ran audits like this regularly. What I discovered was that after every promotion, although it welcomed new opportunities and more money, I was being pulled further and further away from one of my core values — creativity.

During my final eight months I moved into a position where I managed all product photography and related projects across the division of the company I worked in.

This move quickly infused the creativity I was missing, but as a new dad at the time and with plans to prioritize my family, other pieces were still falling short.

So, I took a massive leap of Faith and rethought the role of work in my life.

Step 3: Seek feedback from your inner circle

Sometimes, others can see things about us that we might miss ourselves.

Asking trusted colleagues, your partner, or your closest friends for feedback about what they see as your strengths, passions, or areas for improvement can provide valuable insights.

But don’t take everything as fact at face value. It’s worth filtering out the “opinions meant to hold you back” and then choosing to receive the advice that can make an impact.

Doing so means gaining a new perspective that can help you understand how your actions are perceived and identify any misalignments between your work and values.

Step 4: Take action to align your career with your core values

Once you’ve identified your core values and assessed your current career, it’s time to take action.

This might mean making small adjustments, like seeking out projects that align more closely with your values, or it could involve bigger changes, like switching roles or careers.

Remember, aligning your career with your values is an ongoing process. It’s about making intentional choices every day that bring you closer to a career that feels true to who you are.

So go ahead, schedule a conversation with your manager about new opportunities, sign up for a course that aligns with your passions, or spend a month or two reflecting and journaling about what you truly want.

Don’t be afraid to make changes, and don’t settle for a career that doesn’t resonate with you at a deeper level.

Final Thoughts

Aligning your career with your core values is one of the most powerful things you can do to create a fulfilling and meaningful life. It’s about making choices that honor who you are and what you care about.

Remember, it’s not about following a rigid path — it’s about evolving and growing in a way that feels right for you.

I hope these steps help you find clarity in your career journey.

Reflect on the lessons I’ve shared here, rethink the role work plays in your life, and identify your core values. Small, intentional changes today can lead to a more fulfilling and values-driven career tomorrow.

This week, I encourage you to reply with your thoughts or any breakthroughs you experience from these exercises. My inbox is open!

I’ll see you next Sunday, my friend.