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Why should values matter to you and your brand

Values are the guiding principles that dictate how we live our lives. They shape our decisions, big and small, and help us to define what is important to us.

For small business owners, values are especially important. That's because values can help to guide decision-making, provide a sense of purpose, and keep businesses on track when things get tough.

Of course, it's not always easy to identify your values. Sometimes, it takes a bit of soul-searching to figure out what matters most to you. But once you've pinpointed your values, they can be an invaluable asset in both your personal and professional life. After all, values don't just make us better people; they also make us better business people.

In this edition, I've laid out 5 helpful guides to choosing your values as well as a podcast & exercise to help you.

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How to go about defining your own values

What are values? Why are they important? How can you go about defining your own values?

Values are the things that you believe are important in life. They guide your actions and shape your decisions. While some values are universal, such as honesty or respect, others are more personal. What is important to you may not be as important to someone else. That's why it's so important to take some time to figure out what YOUR values are.

There are a few different ways that you can go about defining your values. One is to think about the things that you care about most. What do you spend your time and energy on? What do you worry about? What makes you happy? Another way to define your values is to consider what kind of person you want to be. Do you want to be kind? Generous? Creative? Brave? The third way to define your values is to think about what kind of life you want to live. Do you want to live a life of adventure? A life of service? A life of learning? Once you have considered these things, you should start to get a better sense of what YOUR values are.

Once you have figured out what your values are, it's important to start living them out. Values aren't just something that we hold in our heads - they should guide our actions and shape our decisions. When we live in accordance with our values, we become the best versions of ourselves. We feel happier and more fulfilled because we're living a life that is true to who we are. So don't just think about your values - start living them.

The benefits of having clearly defined values as a small business owner

What do you stand for as a business? What are your core values? If you don't know the answer to these questions, it's time to sit down and define them. Why? Because clearly defined values have the power to transform your small business.

Values provide a moral compass for decision-making, guiding you and your team towards choices that align with your business goals. They also help you attract like-minded customers and build a strong community around your brand. Furthermore, values can be a source of inspiration and motivation during difficult times.

So if you're not sure where to start, sit down and ask yourself what you want your business to stand for. Then, share your values with your team and audience and use them to make decisions that will help you achieve your goals. You might be surprised at how much of a difference they make.

Examples of how brands can put their values into practice

As a business owner, it's important to be clear about your values and make sure they are reflected in the way you do business. There are many ways to put your values into practice, but here are three examples to get you started.

First, you can make sure your products or services align with your values. For example, if you value sustainability, you might sell eco-friendly products or offer green transportation options. If you value social responsibility, you might support a local charity or sponsor a community event.

Second, you can create a company culture that reflects your values. This might involve writing a code of conduct that includes references to your values, or implementing policies and practices that support your values (such as flexible working arrangements for parents).

Third, you can use your platform to promote your values. For example, if you have a blog or YouTube channel, you could use it to raise awareness about an issue that's important to you. Alternatively, you could use your social media channels to share articles or blog posts about businesses that are living their values.

Whatever approach you take, remember that putting your values into practice doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming - sometimes, even small changes can make a big difference.

Ways to stay true to your values in the face of temptation or challenge

The challenges we face in life can often be a test of our values. Will we stay true to what we believe in, or will we give in to temptation? There are many ways to stay true to your values, even when the going gets tough. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Define your values. What is important to you? What do you stand for? Your values can be used as your filter to make those hard decisions. When you know what your values are, it will be easier to make decisions that align with them, even when faced with challenges.

2. Communicate your values to others. When you share your values with others, they can hold you accountable and help you stay on track when faced with temptation or challenge.

3. Seek out support from those who share your values. Surround yourself with people who believe in the same things you do. Their support will help you stay strong in the face of adversity.

4. Be prepared for challenges. Anticipate the challenges you may face and have a plan for how you will deal with them. This way, you won't be caught off guard when temptation comes knocking on your door.

5. Stand up for what you believe in. When faced with a situation that goes against your values, don't be afraid to speak up and stand up for what you believe in. Your resolve will only grow stronger as a result.

Your values are what guide you – they influence the actions you take, the decisions you make, and how you interact with your team and customers.

Defining your values is an essential first step in building a strong foundation for your business. Once you know what matters most to you, it becomes much easier to stay true to those principles in the face of temptation or challenge.

Plus, clearly defined values can help attract like-minded customers and employees, which helps create a positive culture and build a successful business.

What values guide you? How do you put them into practice?

Below is a great resource and exercise for you to practice defining your values. Let me know how it goes.

🎧 Living Into Our Values | Unlocking Us

Listen in as Brené Brown and Barrett Guillen explore their own values. You can even download your own values exercise PDF and complete it for yourself. The two do a lot with leaders and teams, yet they felt this exercise was the most valuable of them all.

I am happy to see how I can help you design your business to work more for you. Feel welcome to share the filled-out PDF with me.

Enjoy,

Matt

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