Chandra Eden, The True Me Yogi

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Own the Room

Author: Amy Jen Su & Muriel Maignan Wilkins

"At the deepest level of assumptions are core values, those things that matter most to each individul. When you feel aligned to your values, you feel energized and thrive. And, conversely, when these values are offended or violated, you feel drained and frustrated. Getting in touch with your values and understanding how they impact presence is critical to sustaining a Signature Voice."

Your Internal GPS Isn't Broken. You Just Ignored the Map.

Ever spend an entire day checking every box on your to-do list, only to end it feeling like someone quietly replaced your batteries with raisins?

You were productive.

You accomplished things.

So why do you feel as if your soul just worked an unpaid overtime shift?

The answer may have nothing to do with how much you did and everything to do with why you did it.

Most people think exhaustion comes from doing too much.

Sometimes it comes from doing too much of the wrong thing.

Your Values Are Running the Show

In Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), values are considered one of the deepest drivers of human behavior. They're the invisible priorities that quietly influence every decision you make.

Freedom.

Connection.

Growth.

Adventure.

Security.

Creativity.

Contribution.

Recognition.

We all have a unique hierarchy of values, and whether we realize it or not, our brains are constantly asking one simple question:

"Does this move me toward what matters most?"

When the answer is yes, motivation seems effortless.

When the answer is no, everything begins to feel like you're trying to pedal a bicycle through wet cement.

Why Some Goals Never Feel Exciting

Have you ever achieved something you thought would make you happy...only to discover it felt strangely empty?

Maybe you landed the promotion.

Bought the bigger house.

Started the business.

Crossed something huge off your bucket list.

Everyone congratulated you.

Meanwhile, your inner voice politely whispered:

"Now what?"

That's often a clue that the goal belonged to your expectations, not your values.

We sometimes inherit goals the way we inherit old furniture. They're sitting in our lives simply because someone else thought we should have them.

Parents.

Teachers.

Social media.

Well-meaning friends.

Before long, we're climbing a ladder that isn't even leaning against our own wall.

Your Energy Is a Compass

One of the easiest ways to identify your values is to pay attention to your energy.

What conversations leave you buzzing for hours afterward?

What activities make you lose track of time?

What kinds of work feel meaningful, even when they're difficult?

On the flip side, what situations consistently leave you feeling irritated, resentful, or emotionally exhausted?

Those aren't random emotional glitches.

They're clues.

Frustration often signals that one of your values has been stepped on.

Excitement often signals that one has been honored.

Your emotions aren't always accurate about the outside world.

But they're remarkably useful at telling you what's happening on the inside.

NLP and the Language of Values

One of the most powerful NLP exercises is uncovering the values hidden beneath your goals.

Instead of asking:

"What do I want?"

Ask:

"What will having that give me?"

Then ask again.

And again.

For example:

"I want a promotion."

Why?

"So I'll earn more money."

Why?

"So I'll have freedom."

Why?

"So I'll have time with my family."

Why?

"Because relationships matter most to me."

Notice what happened?

The promotion was never the destination.

It was simply the vehicle.

The real value hiding underneath was connection.

When you understand that, your brain suddenly has dozens of new ways to satisfy that value, many of which don't require a new job title.

Stop Fighting Yourself

Many people believe they lack discipline.

Often, they simply lack alignment.

When your goals support your deepest values, motivation feels lighter.

Decisions become easier.

Confidence grows because you're no longer trying to become someone else.

You're becoming more yourself.

That doesn't mean every day feels magical.

You'll still have taxes.

Laundry.

Meetings that could have been emails.

But underneath all of that runs a quiet current of purpose.

And purpose has a remarkable ability to outlast temporary discomfort.

Grow From the Inside Out

We spend so much of our lives chasing external success that we rarely stop to ask whether our internal compass agrees with the direction we're heading.

Success without alignment can feel surprisingly hollow.

But even small accomplishments become deeply satisfying when they're rooted in what matters most.

So if you've been feeling unusually stuck, unmotivated, or disconnected lately, don't immediately assume you need a new planner, a new career, or a new personality.

Start by asking a simpler question:

"What do I value most?"

You may discover that your motivation was never missing.

It was simply waiting for your life to point in the direction your heart had been trying to indicate all along.