Living in Alignment: Why Honoring Your Values, Strengths & Personality Changes Everything
Have you ever found yourself asking, “Why does this feel so off?” or “Why am I not excited about something I worked hard for?” These questions often surface when we’re out of alignment with our core values, innate strengths, or natural personality traits. Living in alignment doesn’t mean living a perfect life. It means living a life that feels right to you—a life that reflects who you are, what matters to you, and what you do best. It’s one of the most powerful ways to reduce burnout, increase satisfaction, and move with purpose.
This blog will dip into how to live in alignment with your values, strengths and personality, why it is important and provide some helpful resources for exploration.
What Does Alignment Mean?
Alignment is when your actions and choices reflect your inner compass. This includes:
Values – What truly matters to you (e.g., integrity, creativity, family, justice).
Strengths – Your innate or developed talents (e.g., perseverance, strategy, empathy).
Personality traits – How you interact with the world (e.g., introversion vs. extraversion).
When we’re not living in alignment:
We feel disconnected or flat, even when life looks "successful" on paper.
We can experience burnout, resentment, or chronic indecision.
We may please others at the cost of our authenticity.
When we are in alignment:
We experience more joy, flow, and energy.
We make decisions with more confidence and ease.
We experience greater wellbeing, resilience, and motivation.
How to Live in Alignment with Your Values, Strengths & Personality
Here’s a roadmap to get started:
1. Clarify Your Core Values
Ask:
What matters most to me—no matter what?
When have I felt most proud, fulfilled, or alive?
What hurts or angers me when it’s violated?
➡ Try: the Brené Brown Values List or VIA Character Strengths Survey.
2. Discover & Leverage Your Strengths
Your strengths are energy-giving. They help you thrive and make the work feel worthwhile.
Reflect: When do you feel like you’re at your best?
Ask others: What do they see you doing well or often rely on you for?
Assess: Use Gallup CliftonStrengths or VIA’s free tool.
3. Understand Your Personality
Your Myers-Briggs type can help you understand:
How you recharge (introversion vs. extraversion)
How you process information and make decisions
How you prefer to structure your life
➡ Example: If you’re an INFJ or INTJ, you may need more solitude, meaning, and autonomy. ESTJs may prefer clear plans and visible progress. Being near the center on several scales (as many are!) simply means you’re flexible—and alignment will look more dynamic.
There are many different personality tests - like Enneagram, DISC, etc. Check out this article detailing what they are and where you can access them. Find something that resonates and that helps you: 1) understand yourself and others and 2) to evaluate decisions and priorities.
4. Audit Your Current Life
Ask:
Which areas of my life feel aligned—and why?
Where do I feel out of sync, resentful, or drained?
Am I living out someone else’s version of success?
➡ Use a wheel of life exercise or journaling prompts to explore.
5. Create Experiments for Realignment
You don’t have to overhaul everything. Start small.
Make space weekly for your top strength or value.
Change one routine to match your natural energy flow.
Say no to something that doesn’t reflect your priorities.
Real-Life Examples
Case 1: Lisa, the Burned-Out Consultant
Lisa scored high in responsibility and creativity. Her job was structured, detail-heavy, and offered little autonomy. She began volunteering with a local arts nonprofit and soon transitioned to consulting work with creative entrepreneurs. Her energy, health, and satisfaction increased.
Case 2: Marc, the Quiet Change-Maker
Marc is an introverted strategist with strong values around justice and impact. After years of managing people, he felt drained. He realigned by moving into policy advising, where he could think deeply and influence systems without constant meetings. His confidence grew.
Tips for Staying Aligned
Schedule regular “alignment check-ins” (monthly or quarterly).
Build a daily rhythm that honors your traits and values.
Share your goals and changes with someone who will hold you with compassion.
Avoid comparison—it’s often based on others’ definitions of success.
Practice self-compassion when you drift (you will; we all do!).
Final Thought
Living in alignment isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for authentic fulfillment. When your daily actions reflect your core values, your natural strengths, and your personality, life flows with more ease, satisfaction, and resilience.
It’s not about having it all figured out. It’s about making braver, more honest choices—one step at a time.
