It’s easy to fill our calendars with obligations, deadlines, and responsibilities. But a full calendar doesn’t always mean a meaningful life.
Photo by Andrijana Bozic on Unsplash
Values-based planning – aligning your calendar with your heart
In this episode of The Productive Woman, we explore values-based planning — a thoughtful approach to organizing your time around what matters most, so your schedule reflects your priorities and your life moves in the direction you truly care about.
In this episode, we discuss:
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Why planning often becomes reactive instead of intentional
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The difference between values, priorities, and tasks
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How a full calendar can still feel misaligned
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Examples of common personal values:
- family
- creativity
- growth
- service
- health
- faith
- learning
- connection
- peace
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How values act as a decision-making compass
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A simple three-step values-based planning process:
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Identify core values
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Translate values into priorities
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Reflect priorities in your calendar
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How to balance values with real-life obligations
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A gentle reflection to evaluate alignment between values and schedule
Key Takeaways
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Values shape priorities.
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Priorities shape calendars.
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Calendars shape lives.
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You don’t need to overhaul everything — small adjustments matter.
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Planning from values creates meaning, not just productivity.
Reflection Questions
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What matters most to me in this season of life?
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Do my current commitments reflect those values?
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What small shift would bring my schedule into better alignment?
Resources
Download the Values-Based Planning Worksheet
Books
- Essentialism, by Greg McKeown
- The One Thing, by Gary Keller
- Designing Your Life, by Bill Burnett & Dale Evans
Articles
- Dare to Lead | List of Values – Brené Brown
- The Benefits of a Value-Driven Life | Psychology Today
- Living Into Our Values – Brené Brown
Podcasts
- TPW377 Laying a Foundation: Primary Values & Guiding Principles
- TPW081 5 Guiding Principles for a Productive Life
- TPW002 The Big Picture: Priorities & Guiding Principles
YouTube videos
- Start with “Why” – TED Talk from Simon Sinek
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Dear Laura,
I have greatly appreciated your podcast and have loved the new episodes. As someone who tends to jump into every opportunity, your message this week reminds me to slow down and assess if I am happy with the current direction of my life and make small tweaks to adjust if necessary.
Thank you so much
Thank you so much, Julia–for listening and for taking the time to share your thoughts. I’m grateful to hear that the episode was helpful to you. I know that personally it’s become more and more important for me to take that time to take a step back to evaluate the way I’m spending my time and whether I like it. My inclination has always been to sort of be in either reactive mode or habitual mode, and the reminder to be more thoughtful and intentional about what I plan for my week has been very meaningful.
Thank you again for reaching out. Wishing you the very best.
Laura