The tight knot in my stomach was almost causing me to throw up.

I tried sitting with it for a moment. Then I realized where it was coming from.

One of my core values was being compromised. Consciously or not, you have probably been there at some point.

Your values are a core part of your personal brand foundation. They are like your moral compass.

Without them you lack direction and focus. You start to accept the wrong type of work or associate with the wrong people. You become miserable and start to question yourself.

Asking yourself the following three questions will eliminate that doubt and unhappiness;

1. What are my core values in my personal and professional life? Take an inventory, try to get it down to 10 or less.

2. What do those values mean to me? Define them, because even if we have the same value our definitions will be totally different.

3. Measure how are you living those values on a scale of 1-4? If your value is fitness but you only make it to the gym once a month it's a 1.

Now you can set a plan and actions to move those values closer to a 4 and have a personal brand that stands out, stands for something and you are happy to be every day.