Before you can build a career that truly fulfils you, you need to start with a strong foundation – your core values. These are the things that really matter to you, the guiding principles that help you make decisions, fuel your motivation, and define what success looks like for you. Without them, you might find yourself chasing goals that don’t actually make you happy or feeling like you’re just going through the motions.
When your actions don’t align with your values, it’s easy to feel stuck, unmotivated, or out of control. But when you’re clear on what truly matters, every step forward feels more exciting, more rewarding, and more in sync with the life you actually want.
Why Values Matter for Performers
Your values influence everything – from the roles you take on to the way you navigate relationships in the industry. They give you clarity, purpose, and direction. If you’ve ever felt uninspired by a project or found yourself questioning your career choices, it could be because they don’t line up with what’s most important to you.
Unpacking Your Core Values
Your values are unique to you, shaped by your experiences, beliefs, and passions. And just like a performance evolves with rehearsals, your values might shift over time. The key is to recognise them and make intentional choices that align with them.
Take a moment to reflect:
- What moments in your career have brought you the most joy and fulfilment?
- What qualities do you admire in other performers?
- What are the non-negotiables in your personal and professional life?
Your Personal Values Audit
To figure out what really matters to you, take a look at how you spend your resources:
- Time: What do you prioritise in your daily life? Do your activities reflect your biggest passions?
- Energy: What excites and motivates you? What drains you?
- Money: Where do you invest your earnings? Training, travel, wellness? This can reveal a lot about your priorities.
- Organisation: What areas of your life do you naturally keep in order? Where do you let things slide? These habits often point to deeper values.
Spot any patterns? These insights will help you see what’s truly driving you.
Aligning Your Career with Your Values
Once you’ve identified your core values, the next step is making sure your career aligns with them. If creativity is a top value, are you choosing projects that inspire you? If community is important, are you surrounding yourself with like-minded artists and mentors?
Example: If ‘growth’ is one of your key values but you feel stuck in the same routine, it might be time to shake things up – whether that’s signing up for a new class, working with different creatives, or exploring a new performance style.
Take Action: Your #MakeItHappenMonday Challenge
- Identify Your Top Three Values. Write them down and keep them in mind when making decisions.
- Assess Your Current Career Path. Are you honouring your values? If not, what changes need to happen?
- Make One Small Shift This Week. Whether it’s reaching out to a mentor, choosing a project that excites you, or setting boundaries that support your values, take one concrete step towards alignment.
Success isn’t just about what you achieve – it’s about how you feel along the way. Get clear on your values, align your actions, and build a career that’s truly meaningful to you.
What are your core values, and how will you live by them this week? Let’s chat in the comments and support each other in building careers that feel just right!
