by Michael Angier

Sound core values are the foundation of a truly successful life.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a strong advocate for having a compelling purpose--one that drives you to be your best while doing something worthwhile. Those with purpose are people who care about things that matter, who want to make a difference.

Having a driving purpose will position you to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and accomplish great things.

But in order to be in the flow--in order to align yourself with the people, the opportunities and the companies to really make things happen--you have to discover and embrace your core values.

Did you ever wonder why some people seem to easily and effortlessly accomplish their goals? Did you ever wonder how some people just seem to have that Midas Touch? I won't say that knowing your core values and aligning yourself with others with similar core values is the ONLY key. But I DO know that core values are a key factor in any person's success--especially those who seem to do it so effortlessly.

Dawn and I have a friend who lost her job last year in one of those "right-sizing, down-sizing" moves. "Joan" was hurt, angry and scared. My telling her that something even better would come along was not met with much confidence or acceptance.

But she DID get a new job. And it was with a company that created products she could relate to--products she believed in. The company's values and hers were closely aligned. It was a good match. She liked her former job but she LOVES her new one.

When her former employer called her to ask her back--with even more money--she had no trouble turning them down. Joan had found a company and a product line that made her heart sing. And there was no going back.

She may not fully realize that it was the alignment of her values with the values of her new employer that made the difference, but it was. Perhaps if she had known her top core values, she might have even found her great job earlier.

Very few people take the time to determine and understand their top core values. That may be why so few people seem to achieve their highest and best with such ease.

Michael Angier is the author of 101 Best Ways to Get Ahead and the CIO (Chief Inspiration Officer) of SuccessNet.org. Their mission is to inform, inspire and empower people to be their best—personally and professionally. http://SuccessNet.org

Invest the time to uncover what your core values are and why they're important to you. It will save you time, frustration, stress, heartache and money.

Make a list of the values you hold dear and think about why they seem important to you. Don't judge. Don't pick values you think you SHOULD have. Discover the values you know to be YOURS.

For a worksheet with a list of values, respond to this email with Values in the subject line.

Are you interested in perfecting your communication skills? Do you need to enhance your presentations or sales meetings? If so, you’ll want to check out Bates Communications’ “Speak Like a CEO Boot Camp.” The boot camp will feature information- packed workshops led by Bates’ Communications Senior Consultants. The program is scheduled for October 14th and 15th at the Westin Copley Place in Boston. Visit http://www.batesbootcamps.com for more info.

Coach Andrea's Coaching Tip of the Week is brought to you by Andrea Novakowski, Master Certified Coach who provides Business and Personal Coaching to Corporations, Businesses, and Individuals. Andrea is a professional coach who partners with people to set goals and create momentum to produce effective results in their business and/or personal lives.

Andrea is available for individual coaching. If you are serious about reaching your goals and living with greater fulfillment and satisfaction, consider using a coach. To schedule a COMPLIMENTARY initial consultation, send an e-mail to Andrea at
andrea@coachandrea.com.

Please feel free to pass on Coach Andrea's Coaching Tip of the Week to your friends and colleagues. To subscribe, click the "Subscribe" button below. You may also subscribe at http://coachandrea.com.

We never send unsolicited e-mail. If you have received this message and you did not subscribe yourself or you wish to unsubscribe your e-mail address from the list, please click the link below. You may also unsubscribe at http://coachandrea.com.

If you need to get in contact with us directly (if you have trouble ubscribing/unsubscribing, or have questions about the list itself), send an e-mail to andrea@coachandrea.com.

Copyright 2005. When you forward Coach Andrea's Coaching Tip of the Week to your friends and colleagues, please keep the copyright and contact information intact.

Coach Andrea
Focusing your vision, achieving results

email: andrea@coachandrea.com

web: http://coachandrea.com