Creating Your Aligned Life
From LEARN to INTEGRATE – Creating Your True Yes Framework
This week I want to share some of my favorite time management secrets with you – yes, the exact framework I use with my private clients. Why? Because I deeply believe everyone deserves to live their best, most authentic life. While I love working with clients one-on-one, I know not everyone is ready for that step, and that’s perfectly okay. My mission is to help as many people as possible move from exhausted to energized, whether we work together directly or you’re implementing these strategies on your own.
Last week, we dove deep into the LEARN phase of the ALIGN method, exploring how time poverty affects our well-being and discovering our personal energy patterns, energy ‘givers’ and ‘drainers.’ Today, we’re building on those insights as we move into the INTEGRATE phase – where we’ll create your personal “True Yes Framework.”
Quick Refresh: The ALIGN Method
- Audit your time
- Learn your energy code
- Integrate what you want in your life
- Guide your ideal week design
- Navigate sustainable success
Bridging LEARN and INTEGRATE
Remember our discussion about the ripple effects of time poverty?
We saw how running on empty impacts everything from our physical health to our emotional well-being and personal growth. Through your time audit and energy mapping, you’ve likely gained valuable insights into your personal patterns – when you’re at your best, what drains you, and what fills your cup.
But here’s where it gets exciting: The final piece of the LEARN phase is actually my favorite part of the journey. Why? Because this is where we get crystal clear on what matters most, allowing you to confidently focus on your “have to’s” and “want to’s.“
The Heart of Integration: Your Values
As a coach, this is where I see the real transformation begin. It’s not just about managing time better – it’s about creating a life that energizes rather than depletes you. Let’s dive deeper into what this means:
Understanding Your Core Values
Your values are your internal compass, guiding every decision you make. Take a moment to reflect on these essential questions:
– Deep down, what is really important to me?
– What sort of person do I want to be?
– What do I want my life to be about?
– What kind of relationships do I want to have?
– What makes my life worth living?
The bottom line:
– What truly matters to you?
– Where is your life currently aligned with these values?
-Where do you see misalignment?
For a deeper dive into values work, I recommend checking out Brené Brown’s values exercise:
NOTE: Sometimes, this feels heavy—and it can feel weighty (especially in these geo-political times)– Let it be if that’s what is right for you. Perhaps you are being nudged/ called to make a stand for what you believe or being called to be a voice for the voiceless.
But it can also be light if you choose. Remember, this can also be seasonal (in the literal sense: what matters to you this winter vs summer) and the life seasons (values often stay consistent over time but priorities change: i.e. what mattered in your youth vs as a parent with young children vs early career or late career). Let this exercise take you where you are feeling led.
Self-Concordant Goals: This is about moving beyond what you can do to what you truly want to do.
Consider:
- Which activities reflect your authentic self?
- What makes you feel alive and purposeful?
- How do your current commitments align with your desired direction?
Your Energy Code: Your Personal Operating Manual
Think of your Energy Code as your unique instruction manual. By now, you should have insights into:
- Your peak performance hours
- Natural rest periods
- Ideal workflow patterns
- Non-negotiable energy requirements
Remember: This isn’t about forcing yourself into someone else’s “perfect” schedule. It’s about creating a rhythm that works with your natural patterns.
Creating Your True Yes Framework
This is where INTEGRATE comes to life. Your True Yes Framework becomes your personal decision-making compass, built on:
- Your newly discovered energy patterns
- Your core values
- Your authentic self and self-concordant goals
With this framework, you’ll learn to:
- Confidently choose what fits your life
- Gracefully decline what doesn’t align
- Make your “yes” more powerful by mastering your “no” or “not right now”
TL;DR
Here’s what you need to know about moving from LEARN to INTEGRATE in the ALIGN Method:
- Your Energy Code (from LEARN):
- Know your peak performance hours
- Understand what gives vs. drains your energy
- Identify your non-negotiable energy requirements
- Your Values (bridging to INTEGRATE):
- Get clear on what truly matters to you
- Look for alignment/misalignment in your current life
- Remember values can shift with seasons and life stages
- Your True Yes Framework:
- Combine your energy patterns with your values
- Use this to make confident decisions
- Master saying “no” or “not right now”
Tonight’s Reflection Exercise
Start your journey with these powerful journal prompts:
- Deep down, what is really important to me?
- What sort of person do I want to be?
- What do I want my life to be about?
- What kind of relationships do I want to have?
- What makes my life worth living?
For a deeper dive into values work, I recommend checking out Brené Brown’s values exercise: Living Into Our Values
Ready to Go Deeper?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by this DIY process and want personalized guidance, I’m here to help. In my TIME FREEDOM course, we walk through each of these steps together, with structured support and accountability.
Book Your Free Time Freedom Strategy Session
In just 30 minutes, we’ll:
- Review your audit insights (if you’ve done it!) No worries if you haven’t.
- Explore what TIME FREEDOM would mean for you
- Explore if the TIME FREEDOM Course is right for you
Remember: Understanding your ‘energy code’ and values aren’t just to manage your time better – it allows you to create a life that energizes you rather than depletes you.
Ready to find out more? Sign up for your free consult below.
