Last week I felt left out. Simple tasks that should have been routine became surprisingly difficult. My focus wavered and resistance—an uninvited guest—began to set in. As someone who teaches WELFARE and high performance, I approached this moment with curiosity. This was not a failure; it was a chance to implement the tools I've shared with hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

First, I turned to my resilience beats. These personal HABITSwhen aligned, they serve as a springboard for well-being. OWN Oura ring confirmed what I already felt: enough restorative rest – an average sleep score of 85 out of 100 during the week. Despite a slight headache and a tickle in my throat, my energy was steady.

But something was wrong. Entrepreneurs often exercise, going through challenges unless physically forced to stop. I canceled a few appointments to lighten the load, but pressed ahead with tasks that couldn't be postponed. However, the fog persisted. It wasn't just physical fatigue. Mentally, I was scattered, moving from one task to another, unable to settle. As the day wore on, I found myself feeling depleted, frustrated, and increasingly self-critical.

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At the Resilience Institute, we often say that high performance is impossible without care. But in business, there are times when the demand to perform feels non-negotiable. Whether it's a critical sales call or an impromptu podcast recording, sometimes the show must go on. So, I continued. Yet beneath the effort, I knew something deeper was missing.

My next book, Start with valuesspeaks to this very point. It explores how our core values – realized consciously or not – are the drivers of all meaningful action. When our actions align with our values, even the smallest task brings a sense of purpose fulfillment. This alignment creates the conditions for a life that feels resonant and alive. But last week, my actions were out of line and I could feel it.

In leaving, I engaged in a process that I have come to rely on: metadata. This practice allows me to observe my thoughts as they arise, without judgment. As I watched my thoughts—frustration, impatience, self-criticism—I applied the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I acknowledged that I was not at my best and then committed to finding a solution rooted in my values.

Suddenly, it became clear: creativity, one of mine the three main valueswas absent from my week. Creativity, to me, is about curiosity, exploring and producing something new. It is a vital 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.

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I hadn't created anything meaningful all week. And freedom, another key value, was also neglected. I had locked myself inside, skipping my usual outdoor runs and fresh air breaks because I was feeling a little under the weather. For me, freedom is not only physical; it is the ability to think, reflect and move without limitations. My routines had become rigid and the lack of this flexibility was suffocating.

The third value, TESYnotably absent as well. I was not kind to myself or others. Kindness, in its truest form, isn't just about being generous to others—it's about showing compassion to yourself, especially when you're not in trouble. Last week, I was harsh, demanding more of myself, without providing the care or space I needed to flourish.

Reconnecting with my values ​​wasn't an overnight transformation, but it was a start. I restructured my day – not the whole week, just the next hour. I found a creative outlet. An idea for a social media post that had been bouncing around in my head for months finally found its moment. It had been left unresolved, like a loose thread, generating low-level anxiety in the landscape of unfinished tasks. How many ideas and tasks do we leave undone, silently adding unnecessary weight to our mental load?

After I allowed myself to enter a state of creative floweverything changed. Within that hour, I felt the fulfillment return. The blame was spread. Had I forced myself to wade through emails and team chats, I probably would have achieved little of real value. Instead, I created something meaningful, something that aligned with my values. It was a reminder that creative expression is not a luxury; it is a must for us that we value deeply.

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After that, I went out. I let the sun hit my skin for a few moments, reconnecting with my value of freedom. That short break was enough to recalibrate my energy. When I returned to the mundane tasks I had been avoiding, they didn't seem insurmountable. I had gone from frustration to clarity, from self-criticism to flow. In one afternoon, I was realigned with my values, and this stretch made all the difference.

This is what it means to live a values-aligned life. Our values ​​are the foundation of resilience, guiding us when we feel lost or disconnected. By reconnecting with them, we unlock purpose, joy and clarity. This isn't just a philosophical concept—it's a practical tool for navigating the complexities of modern life. When you feel down, like I did last week, don't push yourself any harder. Stop it. Reflect. Align your actions with your values. By doing so, you will find that the path forward becomes not only clearer, but also easier.