Let Your Values and Vision Lead the Way
We make decisions all day long.
Some are tiny: What am I having for lunch? Should I answer that email now?
Others carry a little more weight: Should I take this job? Do I want to grow my business? Is it time to make a change? What do I actually want the next few years to look like?
And then there are the decisions that make us stare at the ceiling at 2 a.m.
The truth is, decision-making isn’t about making the perfect choice. It’s about creating enough clarity to make a confident choice and move forward.
One of the most useful places to start? Your values and your vision.
Your values are your compass
Your values tell you what matters.
They might include freedom, family, growth, creativity, stability, adventure, connection, contribution, integrity or learning.
When you're faced with a decision, ask yourself:
Does this choice move me closer to the way I want to live and lead?
Sometimes a decision looks great on paper, yet something feels off. That little internal nudge is worth paying attention to.
Maybe the opportunity offers more money, but less freedom.
Maybe the promotion comes with more status, but less time with your family.
Maybe saying yes to another project supports your business financially, while saying no creates the space you need to work toward the bigger vision.
There isn't one right answer. Your values help you understand what the right answer needs to honour.
Then zoom out to your vision
Your vision gives your decisions somewhere to go.
If you have a clear picture of what you want your life, career or business to look like in the next few years, decisions become less about “What should I do?” and more about:
“What choice supports the future I’m creating?”
This is where I love the 10/10/10 Rule.
When you're stuck between options, ask yourself:
How will I feel about this decision in 10 minutes?
How will I feel about it in 10 months?
How will I feel about it in 10 years?
The 10-minute question helps you acknowledge the immediate emotion.
The 10-month question gives you some perspective.
The 10-year question invites you to step outside the moment and consider the bigger picture.
And here's the part I think is especially powerful:
Does this decision align with my values and move me toward my vision?
That question can create a surprising amount of clarity.
You don't need certainty
We can sometimes wait for certainty before making a decision.
I'll know when it feels right.
I just need more information.
Maybe something will become clearer.
Sometimes more information is exactly what we need. And sometimes we're simply trying to avoid the discomfort of choosing.
You may never feel 100% certain.
You can, however, become clear about what matters to you.
You can make the best decision you can with the information you have today.
And you can trust yourself enough to adjust along the way.
Because your vision isn't a rigid contract with your future. It's a direction.
Your values are the compass.
And your decisions are the steps that get you there.
A little reflection for you
Think about a decision you're currently sitting with.
Write down your options and ask:
What matters most to me here?
Which of my values does each option honour?
What does my future self need me to consider?
What will this decision look like in 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years?
Which option moves me closer to the vision I have for my life, leadership or business?
You may not find an instant answer.
That's okay.
Sometimes clarity doesn't arrive as a lightning bolt.
Sometimes it comes from slowing down, asking better questions and giving yourself permission to choose.
Your values tell you what matters. Your vision tells you where you're going. And together, they can make the next decision a whole lot clearer.
