How to discover what is really important to you (02)
Today is the first of our deep dives to help you figure out exactly what you want to and are meant to do with your life. We're starting with defining your Operating Principles.
This will be an incredibly valuable exercise for you, regardless of whether you're trying to figure out your career. I do this with every single one of my clients, and the framework has developed a bit of a cult following.
Why?
And what does this funny term – Operating Principles – mean?
Your Operating Principles are a mix of your values, priorities and anchors that make you feel grounded, fulfilled and whole. In other words, they are the things are uniquely, very important to you…the principles by which you should operate.
When you know what your Operating Principles are, you can make intentional choices to incorporate them into your professional and personal life. This can range from deciding how to spend a Tuesday night after work to using them as decision criteria to evaluate a job offer.
I'd guess that most of us know mostly what is important to us. Our parents raised us with solid values, and we generally try to adhere to them.
For instance, most of my clients (and I) share a handful of foundational Operating Principles such as Family, Friends and Wellness. These are the core anchors that many of us like to have in our lives to feel grounded and well.
But the magic happens when you get really specific on the things that make you tick. The things you know intuitively make you the best version of yourself, but you've never put words around them or tried to make it an intentional part of your life.
Here are a few unique and special Operating Principles that my clients have uncovered, for inspiration:
Blue Mind - “escaping the hyper-connected, over-stimulated state of modern day life for solitude…pulled toward Mother Nature’s blue for its restorative benefits.”
Bias Towards Intuitive Action - Acting decisively while trusting my intuition
Excellence Through Legacy - Empowering others to exceed their goals and building something that lives beyond my lifetime
Quality Time - Focused, special + leisurely time with family to make memories
Rest - Debranchement (healthy separation for perspective building), sleep (yes, this can be an op principle!), restoration
I could go on and on…
You can get a sense of how, now that they know these are an important anchors, they can make it an intentional part of their lives and feel more fulfilled…personally by spending time in nature or having regular family experiences…and professionally by volunteering to be an MBA mentor or leaving a job when it doesn't feel right intuitively.
My own Operating Principles, which I've added to and refined, but mostly lived by since defining these in 2019 are:
Family - Quality time with and showing up for my people
Community - Fostering groups with shared connections
Wellness - Keeping myself physically, mentally + emotionally healthy
Joy - Bringing laughter, humor + lightness into everything I do
Personal Growth - Always learning + expanding
Abundance - A mix of generosity, financial wellness + trust
Intentionality - Making decisions + constructing my life thoughtfully
Fullness - Feeling best when I'm busy (with the right things)
Now it's your turn!
Here are a few questions to help you identify your Operating Principles. Grab a notebook and answer as honestly and without judgement as possible.
Who are a few people that you admire? What is it about the individual’s life or work that you admire?
If life were a Pinterest board or saved Instagram folder, what inspires you the most? What subjects, people, experiences, tips or tools would you find yourself saving the most?
What do you spend your discretionary income on (after bills, childcare, housing, basic needs, etc.)?
If you woke up on a Saturday morning and could do anything (time, geography and resources are not limits). What would you do and with whom?
If you work up on a Tuesday morning and can work exactly as you please (skills, resources or logistics are not limits). How would you spend your day?
Fast-forward to your 85th birthday party, what do you want your friends and family to be saying about you in their toasts?
What do you want in your life in 5-10 years that you don't have now? What do you daydream about or are envious of when you see other people who already have it?
As you review your responses, look for the common themes and / or the underlying value or priority. I suggest doing this exercise with a friend, who can help you identify themes you might not be able to see yourself.
Once you have a draft of your Operating Principles, now comes the hard part…you have to rank them in order of importance to you. Imagine that you can choose only one principle to live the rest of your life with. Put that at the top of your list.
Then, choose again from the principles that are left with that same perspective. Put this principle second on your list. Keep going until you have your top 5-7 Principles ranked.
Ta-da, you now have a draft of your Operating Principles! Try putting them into action. Over the next two weeks, do six things (three / week) to put your Operating Principles into action. And, observe how these intentional choices make you feel.
Let me know how it goes or if you get stuck. I would love to hear from you!
Tune-in in two weeks – we're exploring your strengths and how and why they can unlock your career.
