Why Your Business Needs Clear Values & Priorities
Have you ever felt pulled in too many directions in your business? You’re not alone. As a business coach, I’ve seen how unclear values and loose boundaries can turn a gentle business into a stressful one.
Think of your business values like a compass. They guide every decision you make, from which clients to work with to how you spend your time. But here’s the thing – many of us never take the time to actually write down our values.
Knowing Your Core Values & Priorites is Key:
- Your core values rarely change but may need yearly review
- Priorities shift with seasons – and that’s okay
- Boundaries protect your gentle business approach
- Your calendar should reflect your stated values
Here’s a simple way to start: List your top 5 core values. Then look at your calendar from last month. Does your time reflect those values? If not, it’s time to make some changes.
Remember, setting boundaries isn’t mean – it’s necessary. It’s how we protect our energy and ensure we’re building the business we actually want, not just the one we think we should have.
Take Action:
Grab a piece of paper and write down your current top 3 priorities. Just 3! If you’re like most of my clients, you probably have a list of 15 “priorities” – but when everything’s a priority, nothing is.
Have you felt like your business
is off and not sure why?
Maybe you are not showing
up as YOU in your business.
Take the Business Personality Quiz & Find Out!
Let’s Connect:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/martagoertzen
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/selahstudiosco
TRANSCRIPT:
[00:00:00] Marta Goertzen: The words “values” and “priorities” get thrown around a lot, but how often do we really take the time to define our core values? How often do we examine our current priorities in this season of our business? How often do we understand how they impact our life and business?
[00:00:22] A gentle business entrepreneur knows her core values and how they show up in her business. She knows her priorities in the current season. And yes, she sets boundaries based on those values and priorities. Did I just make you cringe at that word “boundaries”?
[00:00:44] It’s something we have to talk about. Boundaries help keep a business gentle by clearly identifying your values and priorities. If you look at this podcast, “gentle” is a core value – both in this podcast and in my business. Do you know your list of core values?
[00:01:07] Hey there, I’m your host, Marta Goertzen, and welcome to Doing Business Gently.
[00:01:11] If your business feels hard and confusing – nowhere near gentle – I’m glad you’re here.
[00:01:17] This is where we talk about life-business integration. We approach integration through creating an aligned business that fits you, your values, priorities, personality, and current season of life.
[00:01:31] We focus on finding clarity so you’re not constantly second-guessing every business decision. Perhaps more importantly, we talk about doing all of this from a place of rest.
[00:01:53] This episode is brought to you by the Gentle Business Life Mini Mind, coming the first week of February 2025. This six-week jumpstart beta group is part of the upcoming Gentle Business Life Initiative launching in 2025.
[00:02:10] This program brings together women who are ready to do business gently and differently. We’ll discuss where we have clarity, where we need to refine it, and where we need to find it.
[00:02:24] We’ll explore how to use the core pillars of a gentle business – clarity, alignment, and rest – to help us do business differently in 2025 and beyond.
[00:03:08] Marta Goertzen: Before we dive into knowing our core values and priorities, let’s do a quick recap of what we’ve covered in recent episodes. The three pillars of a gentle business include clarity, alignment, and rest. These are supported by identity and personal brand, which we discussed in episode 84. Today, we’re focusing on clearly defining our core values and priorities. In the next episode, we’ll explore how healthy habits and routines help us do business gently.
[00:03:46] Let’s make sure we’re on the same page about definitions. According to Merriam-Webster, a value is something we consider or rate highly. It’s also how we rate or scale usefulness, importance, or general worth.
[00:04:03] When discussing core values, we’re typically talking about three to six words that represent you and your business. They represent how your business operates and become a compass to navigate your business decisions.
[00:04:19] A priority is what needs your focus right now. It’s a preferential rating – something given attention before competing alternatives. It helps you recognize what needs your attention, time, and money in the present moment.
[00:04:47] These become filters you run your business through. When deciding on a marketing campaign, ask yourself: Does this align with your current priorities? Do you have time for this type of campaign? Is it too involved or will it fit nicely? Does the marketing approach represent your core values? Or are you stepping out of alignment with your values and priorities?
[00:05:13] This is just one example. There are countless ways our core values and priorities show up in how we operate our businesses.
[00:05:23] When preparing for this updated podcast, I knew I needed a break at the end of 2024. To prepare for this rebrand and relaunch under the name “Doing Business Gently,” rest needed to be a priority.
[00:05:43] I realized it wasn’t wise to push myself to maintain the current podcast while working on the relaunch and rebrand during the holiday season, with all the family commitments I wanted to honor.
[00:06:02] My values and desire for a gentle business made it clear this wasn’t the right approach. One of my goals has long been to get ahead in recording episodes by two to three weeks.
[00:06:26] This wasn’t going to be possible while maintaining my core values and priorities or my ability to do business gently during such a busy season.
[00:06:38] I love the book “Essentialism” by Greg McKeown. I used to read or listen to it at least once a year, and I need to revisit it.
[00:06:50] I highly recommend it. One of the questions he asks is: If you look at your calendar, does it represent your values and priorities? Or at least what you say are your core values and priorities? This often serves as a reality check.
[00:07:09] When we examine how we spend our time, money, and attention, are they truly representative of our values and priorities? Often they’re not. We need to regularly review our calendar and realign ourselves, or sometimes acknowledge that our priorities have changed.
[00:07:40] This requires time and effort. We need to review our business operations and ensure we’re honoring our stated values and priorities. This is where boundaries become essential.
[00:07:59] The word “boundaries” can make us cringe because we know we need them, but they’re hard to set and maintain. Sometimes we let them slip for a wonderful client we love working with, or because we need the business.
[00:08:21] Living by values and priorities isn’t always easy or gentle. Sometimes it feels like a battle to maintain boundaries. We know our core values and priorities, but we’re pulled in another direction by something exciting.
[00:08:38] There might be a bright, shiny object or something that could help us fulfill a business goal. While this doesn’t always feel gentle, having a system in place helps us evaluate new opportunities through the filter of our core values and priorities.
[00:09:04] This usually provides quick answers about what fits and what doesn’t. Are we going into massive debt for a course when one of our values is freedom – including freedom from debt? Are we spending excessive time on social media marketing when one of our priorities is protecting our mental health?
[00:09:47] Core values rarely change significantly. I review mine at least annually.
[00:10:00] At the end of last year, I realized I had dropped “beauty” from my values. I need the beauty of nature, creativity, and beautiful things in my world to share with others.
[00:10:21] Adding this back brought my list to six values. When I redefined my core values three or four years ago, all but one stayed the same. That one just needed slight refinement – the word stood out differently, and I understood it better.
[00:11:05] Regarding priorities, we’ve discussed how hustle itself isn’t the problem – toxic hustle is. Toxic hustle becomes the norm instead of the exception for a specific season or reason.
[00:11:31] There will be times when you need to hustle to meet deadlines, prepare for family events, birthdays, or vacations. This type of hustle is temporary – it’s for a season and a specific reason, with a clear endpoint.
[00:11:50] Once you’ve met the deadline, published the work, or delivered to your client, your focus and priorities naturally shift to what’s next.
[00:12:12] Without clearly defined priorities, you’ll be pulled in many different directions. This isn’t a gentle way to operate your business.
[00:12:37] Knowing and defining your values and priorities supports the pillars of clarity, alignment, and rest. We spend significant time on this in the mastermind, particularly in the Business Clarity Toolkit section.
[00:12:51] So let me challenge you: Do you know your five core values? They don’t need to be shared – they’re your compass for navigating business decisions.
[00:13:12] Do you know your current priorities? If your priority list has grown to 10, 12, or 15 items, it’s too long.
[00:13:33] One of my mastermind members suggests doing a brain dump of everything you’re working on, then focusing on the top two or three items that need immediate attention or can be quickly accomplished. For the remaining items, assign future dates so you know they’re not forgotten – they’re just not for right now.
[00:13:54] This is called “closing the loops.” When you complete a priority, you can move to the next one. Remember that priorities have seasons – sometimes family needs take precedence during summer, while other times business launches require more focus.
[00:14:24] Business isn’t linear – it’s cyclical, full of ups, downs, valleys, and turns. Having clear core values and priorities provides a filter to stay on track.
[00:15:04] Sometimes you have to fight for a gentle business, and boundaries help you do that. They’re built on your priorities and core values – don’t ignore them.
[00:15:28] Thank you for joining me today. I hope you’re challenged to examine your values and priorities and ensure your time and attention are focused on the right things.
[00:15:42] Join me next time as we explore the third supporting element of a gentle business: creating healthy routines and habits that support doing business gently.
Marta Goertzen is a Gentle Business Coach and founder of Selah Studios, host of the Doing Business Gently podcast. She helps Christian women entrepreneurs over 50 rediscover who they’ve become, realign their business to match, and fall in love with their work again, gently, at their pace, without starting over. As an avid photographer and lover of the outdoors, she daily explores the trails and beaches of the South Central Oregon Coast with her dog Mochi in tow. Take the free Business Alignment Audit as your gentle first step, a way to pause, get honest, and see clearly where you and your business are right now: https://SelahStudios.co/alignmentaudit