13 famous inspirational quotes about values in life
I’m ALL about values-based living. My whole brand ‘The Valued Life’ is literally built on this concept so trust me, I know what I’m talking about.
Values-based living changed my life for the better and enabled me to live a life more successfully than I could have ever imagined.
As a Mindset and Productivity Coach for perfectionists, I work closely with my clients to shift their mindset from a goals-driven life to a more values-driven life.
Most of my clients jump from goal to goal, never feeling happy or satisfied because they base their worth on their achievements and there is ALWAYS more to achieve.
They never feel good enough and burn themselves out in the process.
I’m here to put a stop to that and empower perfectionists to look at success a little bit differently through the creative and inspiring lens of motivational QUOTES (life-changing, I know).
- You can print out these quotes and put them on your vision board.
- You can create a desktop wallpaper in Canva using these quotes.
- OR you could tattoo it right on your forehead to remind you to live a values-based life (I am joking, please don’t do that. Unless you like that type of thing, then go ahead! It’s a judgment-free zone).
If any of these quotes jump out at you, feel free to drop a comment or message me on Instagram
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This blog post contains 13 quotes about values-based living. Enjoy.
So, what is Values-Based Living?
At its core, values-based living is all about living intentionally and authentically by making decisions based on your values.
You need to align your actions, decisions and priorities with what truly matters to you on a fundamental level. It’s all about being honest with yourself and showing up with integrity.
Instead of focusing on external validation and societal expectations, you draw your attention to your internal world. You check-in on your mind and body.
It all sounds a bit airy fairy, I know.
But to live a values-based life, you need to know WHAT your values are and that requires self-reflection and self-awareness which is a lot harder than it looks (especially for perfectionists).
Luckily, my FREE Values Over Perfection workbook will give you the tools to figure out your values and live a more intentional, authentic life.
I also wrote a whole blog post about values-based living so check it out too!
Related Post: Start living a values based life to be successful
Here are my favourite inspirational values-based living quotes:

1. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
This quote is all about the importance of resilience and perseverance during times of success and failure. When I see this quote I am reminded that success and failure are not endpoints and are just part of life’s journey.
As long as you stay true to your values you will find your way home.

2. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
Passion, purpose and intention are all part of values-based living. To feel fulfilled in life, you need to align your work with your personal values rather than bend your values to fit into your work.

3. “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama
You need to play a proactive role in the creation of your own happiness. Happiness isn’t a passive state that is randomly allocated to us by external circumstances, it’s a choice you make. It’s something you choose to create every single day.
You have to challenge your negative thoughts, make better choices and act in a way that is in alignment with your values.
Related Post: 7 stupidly simple ways to achieve a goal successfully

4. “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln
I think this quote is so beautiful, ‘it’s the life in your years’. How profound. It demonstrates the idea that the quality of our lives is more important than the quantity of years we live.
I know many high-achieving perfectionists get stuck sacrificing their present moments for a future when they’ll ‘finally be happy’, only to get burnt out and realise it was all a lie.
You can work hard, achieve your goals and feel successful WITHOUT sacrificing your good years – through values-based living.
Related Post: How to be productive every day – 13 ESSENTIAL mindset shifts!

5. “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker
You can live the life of your dreams but you have to be proactive and intentional. It’s time to stop living life on autopilot, waiting for life to happen to you. Life is a beautiful gift and you need to take ownership of your life by actively aligning your actions to your values.
Related Post: How to stop living life on autopilot – 7 game-changing steps

6. “Success is not something you chase; it’s something you attract by the person you become” – Jim Rohn
I dedicate this quote to all the manifestation believers out there! You need to believe what you want is possible to take the necessary personal growth steps to actually BECOME the successful person of your dreams.
When you try to become the most aligned version of yourself, you will naturally attract the opportunities and people that will bring you the fulfilment you desire.
Related Post: 7 easy ways for perfectionists to increase their self-awareness

7. “You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously.” – Sophia Bush
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this quote. I had this quote printed and stuck to bullet journals, vision boards and art collages for years. In fact, seeing this quote again has inspired me to print it off and stick it to my current bullet journal.
This is your reminder that it’s okay to embrace your strengths and imperfections. You are constantly evolving and learning about yourself and the world you live in.
Values-based living is about celebrating your progress, adapting where necessary and seeking deeper self-awareness. Embrace the journey!

8. “Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Steve Jobs
You only have ONE life. This is it so you might as well live your life as authentically as possible rather than try to be anyone else. Don’t try to conform to other people’s expectations of you or live in the shadow of anyone else’s life.
There is only one you and you are good enough.
Related Post: 38 interesting end-of-month journal prompts to realign your life

9. “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll
We very rarely have full control over what happens to us in life, however, we do have control over how we choose to respond to those circumstances.
Values-based living is all about HOW you show up in life. You have to be intentional and make decisions based on your personal values.

10. “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” – Albert Einstein
I like this quote because it highlights that personal success is also about adding value to the world and making the world a better place for other people.
This goes back to the point about values-based living being a choice about how you decide to show up in the world. For example, showing up in the world with kindness and integrity. Not letting external circumstances make you behave out of alignment with your values.
Related Post: Importance of values in a relationship: Secrets of a happy life

11. “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou
If you know me, you know I quote Maya Angelou all the time. She inspired me so much growing up and her work helped me shift my mindset from a goals-based life to values-based life.
Success is NOT about your achievements or validation from others. It’s all about living a life in alignment with your values, and true desires. That is all.
Hopefully, this quote will inspire you to look deeper into your own desires and increase your self-awareness.
Related Post: Start living a values based life to be successful

12. “Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.” – Brené Brown
Integrity is an important foundation for values-based living. It is a conscious choice to align your actions with your values and sometimes that requires courage to push through the discomfort.
You need to prioritise what is right over what is convenient.

13. “Live your life by a compass, not a clock.” – Stephen R. Covey
If you haven’t already, read Stephen Covey’s book ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’. It’s a self-development classic for a reason!
The truth is, we don’t know how many years we have left in this world so instead of chasing goal after goal, focus on living a life in alignment with your values, your compass. That way, you can truly live a life with no regret.
I hope these quotes empowered you to switch from goals-based living to values-based living
If you would like more comprehensive support, personalised guidance and accountability, I recommend you sign up for my 1:1 coaching services.
As a Mindset and Productivity Coach, I’m here to help you navigate your challenges, celebrate your successes and uncover the limiting beliefs holding you back from achieving your goals. I will also work with you to create a mindful productivity system that is aligned with your personal values and stops you from feeling overwhelmed.
It’s time to untangle your self-worth from your achievements and live an intentional life without burnout.
Remember, investing in yourself is one of the most valuable commitments you can make in life.
Recommended reading for values-based living
- Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World” by Cal Newport
- The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Eckhart Tolle
- Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey