Core Values – The Secret to Work-Life Balance!

“Work-life balance begins by living your life according to your core values. “ — Dr. Lauretta Justin

Is your life out of balance? Do you often feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and stuck? It may be because you’re not living according to your core values. In this article, we’ll explore what core values are, why they’re essential to creating harmony between work and life, and how you can identify yours to regain control.

What Are Core Values?

Core values are the fundamental beliefs or traits that guide your decisions, behaviors, and priorities. These values are at the heart of what you, your practice, and its employees stand for. They are your driving force, shaping how you interact with the world, and ensuring your actions align with your true self.

Many people go through life without reflecting on what’s truly important to them. While they make countless decisions every day, those choices often aren’t aligned with a specific purpose, leading to feelings of dissatisfaction and imbalance.

My Story: Finding Balance Through Core Values

When I started my practice in 2006, I was juggling a full-time career and raising three young boys. My days were a whirlwind of work, family, and endless responsibilities. I worked six days a week, came home to help with homework, cooked dinner, cleaned the house, and tucked my kids into bed before diving into admin work until late into the night. I felt like I was constantly on the go, trying to keep everyone happy—patients, kids, family, and friends. But in trying to do it all, I was losing myself.

Then came the breaking point: a patient complained that my office wasn’t open enough days and wasn’t “convenient.” That comment hit me hard. Despite all my efforts, it still wasn’t enough. I snapped, unleashing my frustration on that patient. It was a low point for me, but it was also a wake-up call.

I began to ask myself important questions: Why am I working six days a week? Why am I doing everything at home? Why am I involved in so many activities? The truth was, I didn’t have answers. I had been doing what I thought I should do, not what I wanted to do. It was time for a change.

My husband and I sat down and came up with five core values to guide our lives. Once we prioritized and made decisions based on these values, everything changed. I cut my work schedule from six days to three and a half, and, to my surprise, my income grew by 50%. My kids no longer had to participate in activities they didn’t enjoy, and I hired a cleaning service to give myself more time for things I loved.

As a result, I no longer felt overwhelmed, stressed, or exhausted. Living according to my core values helped me create balance and regain control of my life. There was finally harmony.

Why Core Values Matter

Core values are important because they help you:

• Identify your priorities: By knowing what’s truly important, you can focus your time and energy on what matters most.
• Guide your decisions and actions: They serve as a compass, helping you make choices that align with who you are.
• Create a sense of fulfillment: When your actions align with your values, you feel more content and balanced in both your work and personal life.

Without a clear set of core values, even the best-laid plans can feel unstable. You may find yourself constantly shifting priorities, feeling uncertain, or overwhelmed by the decisions you face. Living out of alignment with your values creates unnecessary stress and imbalance.

How to Identify Your Core Values

If you’re ready to live a more balanced and fulfilling life, the first step is identifying your core values. Here’s how you can do that:

Step 1: Identify Role Models

Write down six people who are important to you or serve as role models. Think about the values they embody. For example, you might admire your grandfather for his love and acceptance or your colleague for their excellent listening skills. These values provide clues to what’s important to you.

Step 2: Use a Values Inventory

There are various tools available to help you identify your core values. Click here to access our free online values inventory, available to all Optometry Divas members. If you’re not yet a member, join for less than $1 per day to gain access to this and many other valuable resources.

Step 3: Reflect Through Journaling

Start a journal to document your day-to-day experiences. Over time, you’ll notice patterns in your decisions, behaviors, and feelings that will help you uncover your core values.

Step 4: Review Key Life Experiences

Think about the highs and lows of your life. What experiences brought you joy or pain? For example, if betrayal hurt you deeply, loyalty might be a core value. If achieving something made you feel fulfilled, success may be important to you. These reflections can provide insight into what you care about most.

The Benefits of Living By Your Core Values

When you start making decisions that align with your core values, you’ll notice a shift in your life:

• Increased fulfillment: You’ll feel more satisfied with your work, relationships, and day-to-day experiences.
• Less stress: When your life aligns with your values, there’s less internal conflict and more peace.
• Better balance: Living in harmony with your values brings balance between work and personal life.

Inspirational Quote

“Until you make peace with who you are, you will never be content with what you have.” —Doris Mortman

Living according to your core values is the secret to work-life balance. When you align your actions with what truly matters, life becomes more fulfilling, less stressful, and much more enjoyable. Take the first step today—identify your values, set your priorities, and create the life you deserve.

Until next time, remember: Dream big, take risks, and become the CEO of YOU!

Are You Ready to Create the Life You Deserve?

Without a clear understanding of your core values, it’s nearly impossible to create balance in your life. If you’re ready to take control, identify your values, and live a life that feels fulfilling and aligned, it’s time to make a change.

Join us today! The Optometry Divas community is here to empower, support, and connect women ODs like you. When you become a member, you’ll have access to valuable resources, like our core values inventory, and a network of like-minded professionals ready to help you achieve your goals.

If you’re ready to take your life and your business to the next level, join the Optometry Divas community today. Our mission is to empower, connect, and promote the success of women ODs. You’ll find resources, support, and opportunities to help you achieve your biggest goals while enjoying a life filled with more fulfillment and balance.

Visit optometrydivas.com/join and let’s get started!