012: my top ten values

values that matter are values that inconvenience

values that matter

In September 2025, I played a card game.

I picked the ten values that mattered the most to me.

Here’s how I interpret each value in my own words:

1. Integrity

   • Living truthfully to myself

   • Being capable of being entrusted greatly

2. Self Knowledge

   • Understanding my strengths and weaknesses

   • Uncovering my blindspots, making my unknowns known

3. Communication

   • Listening well

   • Speaking only if my words are true, necessary, and kind¹

4. Open Mindedness

   • Staying curious no matter how strong my views are

   • Asking great questions

5. Trust

   • Empowering people near or below me

   • Standing by their decisions even if unpopular

6. Self Respect

   • Knowing my worth

7. Family

   • Expressing love towards those closest around me

8. Faith

   • Cultivating a close relationship with God

   • Discerning my calling

9. Health

   • Preventing chronic illness from hindering my quality of living

10. Belonging

    • Contributing to communities I care about

    • Developing pride for being part of such communities

values that inconvenience

In 2026, it’s not been easy to:

• hold my tongue when I want to be right

• delegate tasks to teammates without intervention

• listen to dissenting views on how I should run my business

• act when I should be learning, or learn when I should be acting

• balance the incessant grind of entrepreneurship against family, faith, and health commitments.

Some days, I feel on top of the world. Most days, I’m just grateful to be alive.

Every day however, I feel at peace.

So long as I am getting better at living in line with my values. One day at a time.

dear reader

What are your values? Do you share any of mine?

Pick one of your values that has inconvenienced you.

How have you benefited as a result?

1. From Kevin Kelly’s Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier, which I first heard from David Senra’s Founders podcast.