For a long time, I pursued what I thought success looked like—job titles, higher salaries, and impressive companies. But no matter how much I achieved, something felt off. It wasn’t burnout, it was misalignment. 

I realized I had never taken the time to understand my personal values, the core beliefs that drive how I want to live and work.

Once I started identifying what truly mattered to me – autonomy, creativity, purpose, and integrity – everything changed. I could clearly see:

• Why some jobs looked great on paper but left me drained
• Why I felt energized in roles with less prestige but more meaning
• Why chasing external success without internal alignment wasn’t working

Discovering my “north star” didn’t land me a dream job overnight. But it gave me a powerful compass to make better decisions. I stopped evaluating roles only by salary or title, and instead asked:

• Does this align with my core values?
• Will this work energize or drain me?
• Am I building a career that reflects who I really am?

The impact was immediate. I felt more motivated, focused, and fulfilled. Work no longer felt like a performance, it became an expression of who I am.

If you’re feeling stuck, I encourage you to press pause and explore your own values. Ask yourself:

• What drives me?
• What do I stand for?
• What kind of work makes me feel alive?

When you define your values, you begin to filter out the noise. You stop chasing someone else’s version of success and start crafting your own. That clarity can be the key to a more satisfying, purpose-driven career.