Why are values important?

Why are values important? During my recent self-analysis and personality research, I kept reading about the concept of a personal brand. I have thought long and hard about what this means to me, and in a nutshell, I think it boils down to my key values. These are the areas where I am not prepared to compromise. They mean everything to me, and are what I use to define myself, and to judge myself.

My values

Integrity – My moral compass drives me. I have always supported the underdog, and looked after those in need. I just can’t help it. My ethics are so important to me that I will always make a stand for things that I believe are important. A previous manager told me that I had a work ethic that most should aspire to. It is probably the thing that I am proudest of in my whole career. I can’t lie to people. I am honest, genuine, authentic and trustworthy. And nothing will ever allow me to be swayed from these values.

Creativity – This is the area that I feel has been missing in my life for so long. I didn’t allow myself to express my creative side, and it ended up making me feel very unhappy. Now that I have committed to sharing my thoughts through my blog, I feel that my life is much richer and more rewarding. I am definitely much happier. I know instinctively that I have made the correct decision, and I won’t go back on it. I have found my calling in life, my purpose, my ikigai, my reason for getting out of bed in the morning.

Empathy – I feel a burning need to help people. I have always been caring and supportive to those who are struggling, but now I feel I can expand this further, by sharing my time and resources with those who are seeking my help to grow. I aspire to be generous. My aim is to help everybody to find their own purpose in life, using the same process that I have used myself.

Passion – I have a strong belief that what I am doing is right. I have the focus and determination to make my project a success, and I am willing to dedicate my time and energy to making it succeed. When I am working on it, I feel amazing, and time just flies by, because I am enjoying myself so much. I have found my mission at last, after a lot of soul searching.

My unique selling point

My personal brand is based around my key values. These are the areas that I consider to be my real strengths.

My unique selling point is that I am 100% committed to my values. I won’t allow myself to be swayed by greed. The project is too important to me. I see it as my legacy. I have a handy acronym to remember my values, and it has given me the rather cheesy concept of my EPIC personal brand.

Project 365

I set up this website after deciding that I want to build a more creative life for myself, so I can give up my job and be in control of my own destiny.

I have set myself a goal of publishing an article on my website every day this year, to document my journey from employment to self-employment.

The name I chose was Project 365 because I see this as a year that I have dedicated to learning and self-development, as I countdown to freedom. It started on 1st January 2021, so I have 352 days to go!

Why not check in on a regular basis to see how I am progressing, and what I have discovered?