Identity Before Strategy: Let Personal Values Guide All Major Choices

Sit somewhere quiet, away from notifications or demands, and let your mind drift back over the last big choice you made. Did it feel right—or just practical? How did you explain the decision to people who matter most—your brother, your best friend, or yourself in the mirror? In the story of a famously driven leader, we see someone who, after early success and loss, flirted with exile—bicycling Italy, considering the simple life, nearly leaving it all behind. What finally pulled him back wasn’t a board meeting, but a stubborn, personal conviction: the work had to matter, had to match a vision deep down, not simply a winning strategy.

As you recall your own fork-in-the-road moments, notice what values were (or weren’t) honored. Can you name your core drivers? Did you chase security, or seek out challenge and growth? Psychological research shows that those who start with a clear sense of identity—before they pick a goal or next move—report greater happiness and more sustainable achievement. In contrast, chasing outcomes that ignore your ‘center’ leads to discomfort and regret.

Mindfulness teaches that slow, honest moments with yourself are where real alignment starts. The next time you face a hard choice, ask not just 'what do I want?' but 'does this honor who I am becoming?'

Right now, grab a piece of paper and scrawl down the top three values that make you you, no second-guessing—then pull up whatever big choice looms largest, and draw arrows from each value to the possible paths in front of you. If something feels off, rework the option until it clicks. You’re not just chasing achievement—you’re mapping out a life that fits, and that’s the real win. Let your actions this week speak for your core identity, not just your to-do list.