This One Habit Never Fails To Get Me Out Of The Story And Find Fulfillment Again
The views expressed by the business participants are their own.
Last week, I felt free. Simple tasks that should have been routine became strangely difficult. My focus shifted, and the resistance – the uninvited guest – began to settle. As someone who teaches wellness and high performance, I approached this moment with curiosity. This was not a failure; it was an opportunity to use the tools I have shared with hundreds of thousands of people around the world.
First, I turned to my fitness routine. These human habits, when consistent, serve as the foundation of well-being. My Oura ring confirmed what I had already heard: adequate restorative rest – average sleep of 85 out of 100 during the week. Despite a slight headache and a tickling in my throat, my energy was strong.
But something was wrong. Entrepreneurs often struggle, and overcome challenges unless they are forced to give up. I canceled a few meetings to lighten the load but went ahead with the tasks that were postponed. However, the fog persisted. It wasn’t just physical exhaustion. Mentally, I was scattered, wandering from one activity to another, unable to settle. As the day progressed, I found myself becoming more drained, frustrated and self-critical.
Related: 4 Tips Every Entrepreneur Can Use To Avoid Panic
At the Resilience Institute, we often say that peak performance is impossible without maintenance. But in business, there are times when the need to act feels non-negotiable. Whether it’s an important sales call or a podcast recording that can’t be missed, sometimes the show must go on. So, I continued. However, beneath the effort, I knew that something deeper was missing.
My upcoming book, Start with Valuesyou are talking about this very point. It explores how our core principles – whether consciously recognized or not – are the cause of all rational action. When our actions align with our values, even the smallest task brings a sense of fulfillment. This alignment creates conditions for a life that feels good and alive. But last week, my actions were inconsistent, and I felt it.
Stepping back, I resorted to a technique I rely on: metacognition. This practice allows me to observe my thoughts as they arise, without judgment. While observing my thoughts – frustration, impatience, self-criticism – I used the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I accepted that I was not in my ideal state and committed myself to finding a solution based on my values.
Suddenly, it became clear: creativity, one of my top three values, was missing from my week. Art, to me, is about curiosity, experimentation, and creating something new. It is an integral part of who I am, and without it, my work becomes mechanical, drained and disconnected. The lack of creative engagement was quietly eating away at my sense of well-being.
Related: Stuck in the Barrel? Here are 15 Ways to Get Out of a Bad Situation.
I hadn’t created anything meaningful for a week. And freedom, another important benefit, was also neglected. I was holed up in the house, skipping my usual outdoor runs and walks because I was feeling under the weather. For me, freedom is not just physical; it is the ability to think, reflect and move without restriction. My routines were rigid, and the lack of this flexibility was holding me back.
The third value, kindness, was notably absent. I was not kind to myself or others. Kindness, in its true form, isn’t just about giving to others — it’s about showing compassion for yourself, especially when you make a mistake. Last week, I was harsh, demanding more from myself without giving the care or space I needed to thrive.
Reconnecting with my values wasn’t an overnight change, but it was a start. I rescheduled my day – not for the whole week, just for the next hour. I found a place to be creative. An idea for a social media post that has been floating around in the back of my mind for months has finally had its moment. It was always unresolved, like a loose thread, creating low anxiety in the area of unfinished business. How many ideas and tasks do we leave unfinished, silently adding unnecessary weight to our mental load?
When I allowed myself to go into a state of creative flow, everything changed. Within an hour, I felt satisfaction returning. The case disappeared. If I had forced myself to grind through emails and Group chats, I probably would have accomplished very little. Instead, I create something meaningful, something that aligns with my values. It was a reminder that creativity is not a luxury; it is a need for us that we deeply appreciate.
Related: How I Got Out of Burnout and Changed My Desires into Reality
After this, I went outside. I let the sun caress my skin for a moment, reconnecting with my sense of freedom. That short break was enough for me to renew my strength. When I returned to the normal activities I had been avoiding, they no longer seemed insurmountable. I had gone from frustration to clarity, from self-criticism to flow. One afternoon, I came to terms with my values, and that consensus made a big difference.
This is what it means to live a life of values. Our values are the foundation of strength, guiding us when we feel lost or disconnected. By reconnecting with them, we unlock purpose, joy and clarity. This is not just a philosophical concept — it is a practical tool for navigating the problems of modern life. If you feel comfortable, like I did last week, don’t push too hard. Pause for a moment. See for yourself. Reframe your actions with your principles. By doing so, you will find that the path forward is not only clearer but easier.
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