4-Step Values Exercise for Busy Brains
There’s a moment many entrepreneurs know too well—often in the middle of grinding through a spreadsheet or refreshing a metrics dashboard for the tenth time—when you stop and ask:
“Wait… what am I even doing?”
That question might sneak in after a burnout wave, a launch flop, or – ironically - after hitting a milestone you were sure would feel better than it does.
If you’ve been there, you’re not alone. And here’s the thing: the answer isn’t more hustle or a tighter productivity system. The real breakthrough often comes from something deceptively simple: understanding your values.
Why Founders Need to Know Their Values (Yes, Even Before Revenue)
Your values are like your internal operating system. They shape how you lead, what you prioritize, how you build teams, and how you handle tough calls. But when you're not clear on them? You risk building a business that doesn't fit you - or worse, one that quietly erodes your energy and purpose.
Knowing your values won’t magically solve everything. But it will give you a powerful decision filter when you're overwhelmed, misaligned, or questioning everything.
Instead of asking, “What should I do?” you get to ask:
“What’s actually right for me—and my business—right now?”
A Values Exercise for Busy Brains
Here’s how we guide founders through a quick but powerful values alignment process. You don’t need a journal retreat or a therapist on speed dial (though we love both). You just need a few quiet minutes and this free online values tool to get started and the following steps can unfold over time, and can be revisited regularly.
Step 1: Sort & Prioritize
Use the tool to identify which values feel most aligned with you. Don’t overthink it—just notice what hits with a sense of “yes.” Narrow it down to your top 5–10.
Then ask:
Which of these values feel alive in my business right now?
Which ones are being neglected - or worse, actively violated?
Which are non-negotiable, and which are aspirational (the ones you’re still building into your life)?
Step 2: Map Values to Founder Life
Pick one value and ask: what does this look like in the real world?
For example:
If your value is freedom, but you’re working 80-hour weeks and micromanaging every decision, something’s out of sync.
If your value is connection, but you're hiding behind social media posts and avoiding honest conversations with your team, that's worth noticing.
This step reveals the invisible friction points draining your motivation.
Step 3: Use Values as a Decision Filter
Next time you're making a call - hiring, pivoting, pausing - run the options through your values. Ask:
Which option is more aligned with the life and business I actually want to build?
If this value were running the show, what would I say yes or no to this week?
Suddenly, choices get clearer. Still hard sometimes - but clearer.
Step 4: Anchor Your Goals in Your Values
Instead of “I should do X,” try:
“I want to delegate client work to honour my value of creativity.”
“I want to stick to a 40 hour workweek to live my value of sustainability.”
Goals rooted in values feel less like a grind and more like movement toward the business you actually want.
Step 5: Revisit, Don’t Set & Forget
Values aren’t fixed. Recheck them every quarter. Ask:
Am I living this value right now?
What got in the way last week?
What do I want to adjust?
Even noticing that you forgot is progress. That’s self-awareness, not failure.
Real Talk from the Front Lines
At Collectively Tangled, we see this all the time. Entrepreneurs chasing success metrics that don't match their internal compass. Founders hitting big wins that feel hollow. Startups and Scaleups with strong traction but a fractured culture.
When entrepreneurs clarify their values, everything starts to shift.
Team dynamics change. Business models evolve. Burnout eases. Why?
Because they're finally building something aligned.
So if you’re feeling scattered, stuck, or just a little numb—pause. Check your values.
Because clarity? That’s the real entrepreneur life hack.
What values feel most important to you and how do you keep them alive in your work?
Author: Krista Teare
Krista holds a Master’s in Counselling and is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), registered with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. With over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship and management consulting, she brings a unique perspective to her work, blending business insight with mental health expertise.
Drawing from her own entrepreneurial journey, Krista is passionate about advocating for mental health in our communities. She empowers clients to recognize and leverage their strengths, talents, and support systems, helping them navigate challenges and achieve their goals with confidence.
