Rediscover Purpose in Your Creative Work
Imagine sitting at your desk, surrounded by half-finished projects—client work, a course outline, and that passion project you’ve been putting off. Each pulls at your attention, yet you’re stuck, unsure where to begin.
For creatives—whether you’re a designer who codes, a writer who consults, or an educator who creates digital content—this struggle is common. You’re not deciding between good and bad options but navigating multiple meaningful paths.
As someone who teaches creatives, I’ve seen this play out countless times. The problem isn’t a lack of talent or ideas—it’s the absence of a clear compass to guide necessary, often difficult, choices.
This confusion about your creative “Why” takes a toll, eroding your clarity and long-term potential.
The Hidden Costs of Misaligned Creative Work
When your creative work isn’t aligned with your values, the impact runs deeper than frustration. Misalignment drains energy and purpose, often leading to:
- Decision fatigue: Choices feel exhausting when they lack a clear foundation.
- Identity confusion: Articulating your unique value becomes harder in a crowded market.
- Diminished impact: Your diverse skills remain compartmentalized rather than working together.
- Reduced innovation: Fear of making the “wrong” choice stifles experimentation and growth.
These costs aren’t just professional—they’re personal. Misalignment can erode your sense of purpose and disconnect you from what makes your work meaningful.
Avoiding these costs starts with one key step: re-evaluating your work through the lens of your core values.
Why Values Matter in Creative Decision-Making
Your values form the foundation for growth and alignment in creative work. Psychologists describe values as “fundamental attitudes guiding our mental processes and behavior.” that “facilitate orientation in the world and one’s activities there.”1
Values aren’t just about guiding choices—they help you navigate complex intersections of creativity, expertise, and service. They’re the foundation for aligning your intentions with your actions.
For many creatives I’ve worked with, clarifying values unlocks confidence and clarity. No matter how chaotic things get, they can step back and ask, “Is this work still aligned with my values?”
This shift isn’t about working harder—it’s about working with deeper intention. It helps you decide what to focus on and, more importantly, what to set aside.
Identify What Drives You: A Values Discovery Framework
Uncovering your values begins with reflection. Start small by revisiting a recent project you’re proud of or felt deeply connected to.
Set aside 15 minutes to free write about it. Ask yourself:
- What about this project resonated with me?
- When did I feel most in flow? Why?
- What was challenging or felt like resistance?
Don’t overthink or self-edit—document your thoughts. Patterns will emerge, pointing to values that guide your work.
For example:
- If you thrive when helping others understand complex concepts, “growth” or “collaboration” might be key.
- If you’re drawn to breaking new ground, “creativity” or “adventure” could define your work.
- If recognition motivates you, “achievement” might be central to your values.
Use your intuition to identify the values that resonate most. There’s no definitive schema, but here are some possibilities if you are struggling to get started.
| Core Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Integrity | Acting consistently with honesty and moral principles. |
| Creativity | Valuing originality, self-expression, and innovation. |
| Growth | Striving for personal and professional development. |
| Community | Building connection, collaboration, and shared goals. |
| Adventure | Embracing new experiences and challenges. |
| Beauty | Recognizing and admiring visual, artistic, natural, and emotional elements that inspire awe and wonder. |
| Achievement | Setting and reaching goals, striving for success, and celebrating milestones. |
| Curiosity | A strong desire to learn, explore, and understand new ideas and perspectives. |
Once you’ve identified values that seem connected to your work, repeat the process with other projects. You’ll notice recurring themes—your core values—that become your compass for decision-making.
Build a Sustainable Practice Through Consistent Realignment
With your core values articulated, create agile systems to keep them at the forefront of your work:
Design with Intention
- Brainstorm projects or domains that align with your values.
- Commit to exploring these areas through specific actions.
- Design tasks and habits that work in harmony with your intentions.
If you are interested in guidance with this process be sure to check out Intention Design for Creatives
Daily Values Check-In
Start each day by reflecting on your values:
- Review your core values (keep them visible).
- Identify one action that expresses a value today.
- Adjust your task list to prioritize value-aligned work.
Weekly Values Review
End the week with reflection:
- Which projects expressed your values best?
- Where did you compromise, and why?
- How can you better align your work next week?
Monthly Alignment Check
Dedicate time for strategic alignment:
- Assess your project pipeline through your values lens.
- Identify opportunities to deepen alignment.
- Plan shifts to better express your core values.
From Clarity to Impact
When your creative work aligns with your values, decision-making becomes clearer, innovation flourishes, and impact deepens. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress toward a practice that reflects who you are and what you stand for.
Your greatest creative breakthroughs happen when your unique skills and values align. Start small, reflect deeply, and create work that truly matters.
Sources and Additional Reading
- Vyskocilova, J., Prasko, J., Ociskova, M., Sedlackova, Z., Marackova, M., Holubova, M., Hruby, R., & Slepecky, M. (2016). Values and Values Work in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. European Psychiatry, 33(S1), S456–S457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.1660 ↩︎