Just like your business, your personal values need validation and certification. If you haven't clearly articulated your personal values, how will you know if they are being achieved? How will you get the most out of life if you don't know what's important to you?
For me, this certification comes from the values hierarchy. I know with clarity what my values are and how they fit into my life and this allows me to assess whether I am living according to what truly matters to me. This hierarchy drives everything I do, every day. I don't usually share these values but it's important and I thought it would be beneficial, so here it is:
1. Health: If I'm not looking after myself, nothing else happens and I can't be who I need to be for my family. If I can't get out of bed in the morning, if I take three or four sick days every month, none of my goals will be achieved. This is why health is No. 1 on the list, even ahead of family. I need to be healthy to be there and provide for my family.
2. Family: I have two boys and a wife who I am extremely devoted to. Being a father and a husband are the most important jobs I do. I see it as my responsibility to provide security for my family, which motivates me in my business.
3. Money: This could also be "business", because really it's the same thing. Some people don't like to say they value money – I've never understood that. I value money, a lot. I value money because if I have it I can provide for and look after my family. If I have money I can spend time with them and experience everything life has to offer. Leaving a legacy for my family is also about money. It's also important to be authentic, credible and trustworthy, and live with integrity first. It's no good getting to the top but having blood on your shoes. Disagreements are OK and are part of the game, but you need to deal with problems with honesty and integrity. Don't burn bridges because you may need to cross them again later.
4. Philanthropy: This doesn't happen without the first three. That's why it's a hierarchy – the order matters. It might sound good to put philanthropy first, but if that's my priority ahead of money I won't have anything to be philanthropic with! As money grows, philanthropy grows. It doesn't have to be millions of dollars. I don't want my name on an orphanage, I just want to help.
5. Gratitude: This is about going out of your way to say a genuine thanks to those who deserve it. It's about going out of your way to surprise. Greed leads to an ungrateful life, but there's nothing wrong with a desire for more if it's done in the right spirit. I make it a point to say five genuine thank-yous every day.
I teach this hierarchy to all my clients. You can copy mine if you like or come up with your own. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it's right for you. I can teach you to make more money than you've ever had, but without this values hierarchy you have no rock to build on.
EXERCISE: Values
This is a very effective exercise that we run with all our trade-based clients. Have a think about your values hierarchy and what's important to you. See if you can create a list that represents your hierarchy of values. Once you do that, get in front of the mirror and read it out and link it all together.
Philanthropy and the giving back purpose. We all have a personal opinion on donating money. For some people philanthropy is their prime purpose, for others not so much. And that's OK. You can't judge other people on what they do. Like everything in your business, you should spend your time concentrating on your own decisions, not what others are doing. It's not about who has the biggest and deepest wallet. If you allocate a percentage of your profits to your philanthropic endeavours, the more you succeed the more you will be giving.
I believe your business and your life will be better aligned if you have a greater purpose. I love meeting people who have achieved this in their lives. They have an aura around them. They know they are contributing and making a difference.
Do whatever you are comfortable with. Don't feel you have to compete with anybody else or make a song and dance about being a philanthropist.
Stefan Kazakis is a business strategist, presenter and speaker, and author of the new book, From Deadwood to Diamonds. See stefankazakis.com or email info@stefankazakis.com.
