You know when life’s not fulfilling – you get frustrated and disappointed that it would be so much better if “things” were different, your business would be so much more profitable if “things” were different – but it’s really difficult to put your finger on what those “things” are.  You can easily identify what you believe a fulfilling life will look like: usually more money, bigger house, flash motor, exotic holidays.  By looking at what you have compared to what you don’t have, you see the gap as the reason why you’re unfulfilled.

The problem is that when we get the flash car, or go on the exotic holiday we get a real rush, the initial experience is great but the feeling doesn’t last long – and then what?  We’re still on the lookout for the next ‘high’ which needs to be even greater to achieve the same rush.  Anthony Robbins describes the ‘have’ fulfilment as “like trying to bottle daylight”.

The only way to feel fulfilled is to decide what you value most in your life – your values – and commit to live those every single day.  Let’s be clear here: your values are not your moral code or ethical principles, your values are what is most important to you, what makes you put that extra effort in when you could easily have given up and gone home!  You know when you make a decision that ‘feels right’ – that’s you living by your values.  Bob Geldof is a man who is clear about his values.  You may not agree with him and his politics but he’s clear about what’s important to him and a little unpopularity doesn’t shake his beliefs.

When you say you want a higher salary what is the value you are trying to fulfil?  Financial independence, financial security for you and your family, external recognition, or an internal sense of achievement?  

If you like to travel is it because you value meeting people or visiting new places or you have a desire to learn and try out new experiences?  If you really understand what you value, what is really important to you, it gives your life direction, you have a basis on which you can take decisions in your life and this extends into the business arena as well.

If what you value in the workplace is a challenge and your current job is routine with little flexibility you’re going to be frustrated - but if you value consistency such a job can be perfect for you.  If you run a business and at the top of your values list are hard work and reliability, you will be pulling your hair out when those around you are late for work and not as focussed on the job as you. 

This is why many businesses are currently working on their value statements so management, staff, customers and suppliers all understand the standards of behaviour and work ethic that that business espouses creating a sense of shared identity.  For example the business could value ‘respect for the individual’ - respecting people for who they are and for their knowledge, skills and experience where equality and diversity are important, or a ‘commitment to the community’, ‘respecting the work/life balance’ or ‘acting with integrity’ because professional standards are important.

If you want to find out what your values are; ask yourself the question – when you made a significant change in your life, like changing your job or moving house, what were the important factors which you considered?  If you wanted more money in a new job were you trying to fulfil your values of personal growth, financial security or independence?  If the decision you made didn’t go so well what were the values that you didn’t follow?