Use Your Core Values to Create your Best Year Yet

This might sound naïve, but I’m feeling really positive about this new year. I suspect it’s a result of a few tough years, several key, deep conversations, and the important decision I made to move back to Australia in October 2024 and the incredible year I had in 2025 (no exaggeration, it was my best ever, so far). Whatever it is, I’m seeing huge potential for the year ahead.

And yet, potential of itself isn’t enough. We need to take intentional action towards our goals for them to manifest. This is where a reevaluation of your core values can be potent.

Your core values are the guiding principles that shape your actions, decisions, and overall direction in life (haven’t identified your core values yet? No stress, do my free guided exercise here).

And by taking a bit of time to assess and reprioritize your values, and get a clear picture of what they mean in the context of 2026, you translate potential into lived experience.

Amazing lived experience.

Why your values matter

Knowing your values — what matters to you, and how you want your life to look and feel — helps guide great decisions and healthy boundaries.

Core values are not just abstract concepts or words that stay stuck on a page in a journal entry. They are the essence of who you are. They guide you through uncertainty and anchor you in alignment with your truest self. Identifying your core values supports you to shape a life that is reflective of your deepest, most authentic self. They’re like tools you can apply when you’re setting and working towards goals, or to make great decisions.

However, when you’ve known your core values for a while, they can start to feel a bit bland or invisible. They tend towards the conceptual ‘nice-to-have’ rather than palpably drive your life and decisions.

If this rings true for you right now, I’ve got you. The below exercise below is designed to breathe new energy and vigor into your values, making them (and you) 100% ready for the year ahead.

Connect with your core values

The exercise is pretty simple, and will take about a half-hour of focused effort in a nice spot with your beverage of choice.

First, jot down your core values so you have them visually in front of you (not sure what they are? Here's that free exercise for you, again!).

Then, contemplate and journal on these questions:

1. Spend some time reflecting on the phase of life you’re currently in, and what matters to you in your life in the next 12 months. How would you define this phase? When did it start — is it brand new, or near the end, or are you in the middle of something? You might be in multiple phases in different areas of your life (for example, your kids are becoming more independent while your career is ramping up). Write as much as you about where you see yourself in your journey right now.

   
   

2. Reflect on your sense of purpose, your health (mental, physical and emotional), your relationships, your work, your spiritual life, your community, whatever else gives you meaning: what’s important for you to focus on this year?

   
   

3. How do you want your life to look and feel during and at the end of this year? Be as specific as possible about the feelings you want to experience.

   
   

4. Now, take your core values and reflect on which is most and least important or relevant to you for this year ahead. Rank your values from 1 to (however many you have) and, for each value, identify one or two actions you’ll take this year to reflect this prioritization.

To illustrate, here are two of my core values that are guiding me this year.

Connection

For me, connection is so important to my overall contentment that it constitutes a core value, a driver of who and how I am. Particularly as someone who lives alone, doesn't have kids and works for herself, intentionally shaping genuine connection with others is something I pursue so actively, it's a core value.

To me, connection means taking the time and effort to connect deeply with the people around me, through vulnerability and curiosity. It means navigating the inherent discomfort of relationships when they move from superficial to meaningful: the miscommunications, the disappointments, the assumptions. And moving through these in a mature, generous and emotionally regulated way to build deeper connections.

What this looks like for me this year:

1. Reflect and course correct: What does it look like when I am connecting in an authentic and intentional way? What are the characteristics of people am I seeking to spend time and energy with in 2026? In which ways do I tend to avoid connection, or allow things to remain superficial? How can I foster deeper, more honest and 'real' connections with the people around me?

2. Notice when I’m not connecting: When I'm not present or open-hearted, when I opt to keep things distanced and superficial out of fear of being truly 'seen', when I'm spending time with people who don't align with my values. It's not about only being with 'like-minded' people (I don't want to slide into group-think!), it's about feeling stretched and nourished in a positive way.

Growth

Growth was bottom of the list last year, as I set up my home on the Surf Coast and started to sculpt my business back in Australia. This year, it's all about growth: growing my business, achieving my financial goals, growing as a friend, sister, partner and human.

What this looks like for me this year:

1. Intentional time use: This year is not about flailing and hoping that things will work out. It's about crafting achievable goals and working steadily towards meeting those. It's mapping out plans, and then following those through.

2. Working with a coach and a therapist: Over the years I've seen how helpful it is to actively seek support from experts around me to ensure I stay accountable and on course. This year, I'll be working with a business coach and a therapist to stay on track and ensure my growth happens in a fast, effective and safe way.

How about your core values in 2026?

Regularly revisiting and reflecting on your values in different ways will help you stay aligned with your truest self in the day-to-day, helping you course correct as necessary.

As you identify which of your core values are most important for you this year, you’re crafting a personal blueprint for the year ahead. And, you lay the foundation for a life that reflects your own deepest desires and needs — and the incredible potential within you.

Want to have this exercise run as a session for your team or organisation? I provide impactful 2-hour and half-day sessions that help create clarity, connection, trust and motivation. Reach out today to learn more.