Are You Living on Autopilot?
You wake up, grab your coffee, scroll through your phone, work, run errands, maybe watch a show, and then—poof—the day is gone. Rinse and repeat. Sound familiar?
It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, moving from one task to another without much thought. But deep down, there’s that little voice whispering: Is this really how I want to live my life?
If you’ve ever felt like you’re just going through the motions, you’re not alone. Many of us, especially after 40, start questioning what we’re doing and why. The good news? You can live a more intentional, purpose-driven life—without quitting your job to go live on a goat farm (unless that’s your thing, in which case, power to you!).
So, let’s talk about how to align your actions with your core values and create a life that actually feels meaningful—not just busy.
Why Purpose-Driven Living Matters
Ever notice how some people seem genuinely excited about their lives? It’s not because they have more hours in the day or some secret life hack (though if they do, I’d love to know it). It’s because they’ve designed their days around what truly matters to them.
When you live with purpose:
✔ You make decisions that align with your values.
✔ You feel more fulfilled and less like you’re just existing.
✔ You stop wasting energy on things that don’t matter.
✔ You wake up excited (or at least not completely dreading the day).
And who doesn’t want that?
3 Steps to Align Your Actions with Your Core Values
Ready to shift from autopilot to intentional living? Here’s how:
1. Define Your Core Values (No, Really—Write Them Down!)
Your core values are like your personal GPS. If you don’t know where you’re headed, you’ll end up anywhere—which is why so many of us feel lost.
Take a moment and ask yourself:
- What actually matters to me? (Not what should matter—what really does.)
- What do I want to be known for?
- What brings me joy (not just temporary happiness, but deep satisfaction)?
- What’s one thing I’d regret not doing or being?
Maybe you value family, creativity, health, freedom, adventure, or contribution. Whatever it is, write them down. Seeing them on paper makes them real.
2. Audit Your Daily Life (Where’s Your Time Actually Going?)
Ever say, I just don’t have time for that—only to realize you spent an hour watching dog videos? (Guilty.)
Grab a notebook (or your Notes app) and track what you do for a full day. Then, compare it to your values.
For example:
- If health is a core value, but you’re skipping meals and running on caffeine… misalignment.
- If family is a priority, but you’re working late every night… time for a shift.
- If learning is important, but you haven’t read a book in months… you get the idea.
The goal isn’t to feel bad—it’s to notice the gaps so you can make adjustments.
3. Start Making Small, Purposeful Shifts
Once you see where you’re out of alignment, start making small changes:
✔ Say no more often. If it doesn’t align with your values, politely decline.
✔ Replace mindless habits with meaningful ones. Swap 15 minutes of scrolling for journaling, stretching, or reading.
✔ Schedule what matters. If it’s important, put it on the calendar—because “someday” is not a real day of the week.
✔ Create daily mini-moments of purpose. Even if your job isn’t your passion, you can bring purpose into your day—help someone, learn a new skill, or take a mindful break.
Purpose-driven living isn’t about a massive overhaul. It’s about small, intentional choices that add up.
Real-Life Example: The ‘Sunday Reset’ Trick
One simple way to realign with your purpose? Do a Sunday Reset.
Every Sunday, take 10 minutes to:
- Review your values (yep, actually look at them!).
- Plan at least one thing for the week that aligns with them.
- Cut or minimize something that doesn’t align.
Example: If connection is a core value, schedule a coffee date. If creativity matters, block time for your passion project. Just one small step each week keeps you on track.
Your Purpose-Driven Challenge
Now it’s your turn:
➡ Step 1: Write down your top 3-5 core values.
➡ Step 2: Track your day and notice where you’re out of alignment.
➡ Step 3: Make one small shift this week to live more purposefully.
And if you’re ready to take it a step further, grab my free Living With Purpose Worksheet—designed to help you clarify your values, realign your daily habits, and start living intentionally. If you need more helpful tools on your journey, sign up to get notified when there’s more in the Project: Improve Me Freebie Vault.
Let’s start living on purpose, not just on schedule. 🚀
PIM Community Question:
If you had to choose just ONE core value to focus on this week, what would it be?
Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear! (And no pressure to get it “right” … we’re all figuring this out as we go! 😉)
