Shaping Your Career Around What Really Matters

Building Your Career Around What Really Matters

Have you ever thought about the people you admire?

What values ​​do they embody? Creativity, freedom, energy, dynamism, challenge, and independence are often celebrated, but what do these values ​​really mean and how do they shape our lives?

What are values?
Values ​​are not material possessions or obligations; they are guiding principles that accompany you throughout your life, often subconsciously. Have you ever felt uneasy after making a decision, but you couldn’t quite pinpoint why? It’s probably because you’ve unknowingly acted against your core values. Values ​​can be abstract, like “freedom,” and can mean different things to different people. For example, what does freedom mean to you? How different is your definition from someone else’s?

What do values ​​have to do with your career?
Consider someone who built an extraordinary career by aligning with their values. In 2010, 21-year-old Lilly Singh—now known worldwide as IISuperwomanII—decided to drop out of college and create comedy videos on YouTube, despite the uncertainty and disapproval of her family. This was at a time when the global financial crisis was making job prospects for many young graduates, let alone those without a degree, grim.

Singh chose to follow her heart, realizing how she could use her creativity and empathy to make a positive contribution to others. She wanted to be a joyful individualist who inspired and connected with people, making a difference in the world. By aligning her career with her core values, she built not just a business, but an empire.

How does IISuperwomanII embody her values?
Singh faced significant challenges in the beginning, including battling depression. However, her commitment to her values ​​accelerated her journey. Today, she has over 14 million subscribers on YouTube and has collaborated with notables such as Bill Gates, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Michelle Obama. She has campaigned against gender discrimination, supported girls’ education in Kenya and India, released a film, worked with UNICEF, published a New York Times bestselling book, and will soon host her own television talk show.

Will her values ​​change?
Over time, Singh’s values ​​have evolved to reflect her shifts in career focus. Initially, individuality and self-care were her top priorities. However, as she grew older, empathy and connecting with others came to the forefront. More recently, her focus has shifted back to her original values, which is a testament to how our priorities change as we change and grow. Even when it’s hard, it’s important to align your evolving values ​​with your career.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, European Commission or Agency for International Programs for Youth. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.