Every day I write the same four words in my notebook. Four core values.

When I first heard about this daily exercise I was skeptical. But I was hearing about it from smart people I respected so there had to be something to it.

Turns out, they were right. The daily reminder of my core values sets the course. It continually brings me back to face the direction I want to go.

By starting every day with these four words I’m putting them in the front of my mind as a reminder of who I want to be and where I want to go.

Core values act as a filter throughout the day. 

How do I want to respond to this?
What should I be working on?
What are my expectations?
Is this important to me?

Every response and decision sets a course of action and I want to ensure I’m headed in the right direction. It’s not foolproof. I’m still a fool and venture off in the wrong direction. But I’m back staring at those four words again the next morning.

Direction is more important than speed.

Continual course corrections practiced daily will eventually get you to where you want to go. The compounding effect of time is powerful.