Lost & Stuck? This Retired Electrician’s Secret Will Change Your Life
Building Your Foundation:
Aligning Goals with Core Values — Lessons from a Retired Electrician
Young warriors, gather ‘round.
Here’s a story from a grizzled old electrician, one who spent decades climbing ladders and sweating over circuits.
Back in my 20s, I, like many of you, felt lost.
I craved success, and a fulfilling career, but also craved time for the things that truly mattered: martial arts, self-improvement, and a strong family life.
It felt like a constant tug-of-war between work and everything else.
But here’s the secret I learned — a secret that separates the guys just getting by from the ones who build something truly remarkable.
It’s about aligning your goals with your core values.
Think of it like building a house.
You wouldn’t just slap walls on any random foundation, would you?
You need a strong base, a blueprint that reflects what matters most.
Here’s how I, as a young buck with newly calloused hands and a thirst for knowledge, tackled this challenge:
The Five-Fold Why:
Unearthing Your Core
Imagine a goal, something you desperately want.
Now, ask yourself: “Why is that important?”
Then ask it again, and again, peeling back the layers like an electrician untangling a mess of wires.
This is the Five-Fold Why technique.
Here’s an example from my own life:
- Goal: Become a top electrician.
- Why is that important? Because financial security matters to me.
- Why does financial security matter? So my family can be comfortable, and I don’t have to worry about bills.
- Why is family comfort important? Because I value a supportive home environment.
- Why is a supportive home environment important? Because it allows me to focus on self-improvement and personal growth.
See how this works? Deeper questioning revealed a fundamental value — personal growth.
Now, with this value in mind, I could re-evaluate my “top electrician” goal.
Balancing Your Blueprint:
Goals vs. Values
Remember — a smart electrician doesn’t just focus on brute force.
We use finesse, precision, and the right tools.
In the same way, aligning goals with values requires a similar approach.
Here’s what I discovered:
- Being a top electrician might mean long hours, sacrificing training time, and jeopardizing my health. This clashed with my value of personal growth, which included martial arts training.
Action Step 1:
Identify Your Core Values
Grab a pen and paper, warriors.
Here are some prompts to get you started:
- What are things you absolutely wouldn’t compromise on? (e.g., family time, integrity)
- What activities bring you a deep sense of fulfillment? (e.g., learning, helping others)
- What qualities do you admire most in others? (e.g., courage, perseverance)
Creating My Ideal Blueprint
Once you identify your core values, revisit your goals.
Here’s what I did:
- Reframe my “top electrician” goal. I prided myself on being the “fireman,” the guy my boss could use to put out the fires but that meant being available when fires popped up. Maybe becoming a highly skilled, well-respected electrician, with a good work-life balance, was a better fit.
- Explore alternative paths. Could I find a smaller company that offered more flexibility? Could I specialize in a lucrative niche within the electrical trade?
This “Five-Fold Why” questioning and value-based analysis helped me build a career that fueled my passion for electrical work while allowing me to train in Hapkido under Grandmaster Bong Soo Han (a legend in the martial arts world!).
I also pursued college and online classes, constantly learning and growing.
Building Your Dream Home:
Putting it All Together
Remember, warriors, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Here’s how you can build your own blueprint for success:
Action Step 2:
Reassess Your Goals
Apply the Five-Fold Why to your current goals.
Are they truly aligned with your core values?
Do some goals need to be adjusted, or even eliminated?
Action Step 3
Explore New Paths
Can you find ways to achieve your goals that respect your values?
Maybe it’s a different job, a side hustle, or a creative solution you haven’t considered yet.
Action Step 4
Build Your Support Crew
Just like in construction, you need a good team.
Find mentors, friends, or family members who understand your values and goals.
They can offer support and guidance along the way.
Building a fulfilling life takes time and effort, much like laying brick by brick.
But by aligning your goals with your core values, you create a strong foundation.
You become the architect for your dream life.