The formula (importance‑weighted alignment)

Each value has two sliders: Importance and Alignment, both from 1 to 10. We compute an overall alignment score using a weighted average: values you care about more should influence the score more.

For each value i, we convert Alignment (1–10) to a proportion: aᵢ = (Alignmentᵢ − 1) / 9. This maps 1 → 0%, 10 → 100%.

We treat Importance as a weight wᵢ. Then we calculate: Weighted Alignment = (Σ wᵢ × aᵢ) / (Σ wᵢ). Finally, we multiply by 100 to display a score from 0 to 100.

The most useful output is often the gap: Gapᵢ = Importanceᵢ − Alignmentᵢ. A big positive gap means “this matters to me, but I’m not living it right now.”

• It rewards honesty: a low alignment is information, not failure.
• It prevents noise: small values don’t dominate the score.
• It points to action: the biggest gap tells you where to start.

A quick worked example

Suppose you set Integrity Importance = 9 and Alignment = 6. That’s a gap of 3 points: you care a lot, but your week feels “off.”

Meanwhile, Freedom Importance = 6, Alignment = 7 (gap −1). That value is being lived well and won’t be your bottleneck.

The tool combines all six values into one score, then highlights the top gaps. Your action plan might be:

• Integrity proof action: write one sentence about what you’re avoiding, then take one clean next step.
• Relationships proof action: schedule a 15‑minute call and show up fully present.

The point is not to become “perfect.” The point is to stop drifting and start steering.

Personal values alignment — why it changes your results fast

Most people try to improve their lives by adding pressure: more willpower, stricter goals, bigger plans. That can work for a week, but it often collapses because it ignores the engine underneath motivation: meaning. Values are the “meaning layer” of your decisions. They’re what make a hard thing feel worth it. When your schedule matches your values, you can do more with less friction. When it doesn’t, everything costs more.

Think of values alignment like a GPS signal. If your GPS is clear, small course corrections keep you moving toward what matters. If your GPS is noisy (you’re not sure what you value) or ignored (you know, but you don’t act on it), you drift. Drift is subtle: you can be productive, busy, and even successful — but still feel a quiet disconnect. That disconnect often shows up as decision fatigue (“why is every choice exhausting?”), resentment (“I’m doing everything for everyone else”), or numbness (“I can’t tell what I want anymore”).

This tool is designed to make drift visible. It uses two simple ratings for each value: Importance (how central the value is to your identity) and Alignment (how much your week reflects it). The gap between those two is where growth lives. Importantly, a gap isn’t a moral judgement. It might mean you’re in a tough season (new job, caregiving, health issues), or it might mean your defaults are running your life. Either way, the gap is a useful signal: “If I improve one thing, this is where I’ll feel it most.”

The scoring uses a weighted average for a reason. Imagine two values: Value A is mildly important (Importance 3) and lived well (Alignment 8). Value B is deeply important (Importance 9) and lived poorly (Alignment 4). A simple average of alignments (8 and 4) would say you’re at 60% — “not bad.” But your lived experience probably feels worse, because the pain is concentrated in Value B. Weighting by importance mirrors how humans actually experience misalignment: the higher the importance, the louder the signal.

There are three practical ways to use your result: (1) choose a single “keystone value”, (2) create a proof action, and (3) protect it with a boundary. A keystone value is the one that, when improved, tends to lift other areas. For many people, that’s Health & Energy (because sleep and movement affect everything) or Integrity (because honesty reduces mental load). A proof action is small but specific: it produces evidence that you live the value. For example, if Relationships is a top gap, “be more present” is vague — but “10 minutes phone‑free at dinner” is a proof. A boundary is what keeps the proof action alive: a calendar block, a reminder, or a simple “no” to one competing commitment.

Another helpful lens is the difference between values and goals. Goals are targets (“run 5 miles,” “save $10,000,” “launch the product”). Values are directions (“health,” “security,” “creativity”). Goals can be completed; values are practiced. When you’re aligned, goals feel like expressions of values. When you’re misaligned, goals can feel like punishment — even if they’re “good goals.” If you notice that your alignment score is low but you’re still hitting goals, that’s a powerful insight: you might be building a life that looks right but doesn’t feel right.

Values alignment also helps with trade‑offs. Real life is not “do everything.” It’s choosing what to emphasize. When you know your values, trade‑offs become cleaner: you can say, “This month I’m choosing Growth over Comfort,” or “This week I’m choosing Relationships over Extra Work.” Without values, trade‑offs feel like loss. With values, trade‑offs feel like strategy. That’s why alignment is linked to confidence: you don’t need every choice to be perfect — you need it to make sense.

If you want a more precise read, treat Alignment as “behavioral evidence” rather than mood. Ask: “If a neutral observer watched my last week, would they say I spent time, money, and attention in ways that match this value?” This reduces the effect of a bad day or a temporary emotion spike. It also makes your action plan clearer because behavior can change even when feelings don’t.

A common trap is confusing “what I admire” with “what I value.” For example, you might admire extreme hustle, but deeply value relationships and health. If your alignment score is low, it’s sometimes because you’re living someone else’s script. Use your top gap to ask one powerful question: “Whose approval am I optimizing for?” If the honest answer isn’t “me,” your next step may be less about time management and more about identity.

You can also use this tool as a conflict‑resolver. When you’re torn between options, rate how each option affects your top two values gaps. If Option A improves Integrity and Health but reduces Freedom, you can decide intentionally: “I’m choosing Integrity and Health for 30 days, then I’ll restore Freedom.” The clarity comes from naming the trade‑off, not from pretending there is no cost.

If your score is low due to constraints (money, caregiving, workload), focus on micro‑alignment: tiny actions that keep the value alive without demanding a full lifestyle change. For Relationships, it might be a 2‑minute voice note. For Growth, a single page of notes. For Contribution, one small helpful message. Micro‑alignment protects your sense of self and often reduces stress because it proves you still have agency.

Finally, remember: alignment is seasonal. You might temporarily lower Alignment for one value to protect another. That’s not failure; that’s prioritization. The question is whether you chose it intentionally — and whether you have a plan to rebalance. Use the Save button weekly for a month. Your trend will tell you more than any single score.

• Day 1: Re‑score your values and pick your top gap.
• Day 2: Design one 10–30 minute proof action for that value.
• Day 3: Schedule it and remove one obstacle (prep, message, reminder).
• Day 4–6: Repeat the proof action once more (or make it slightly easier).
• Day 7: Re‑score. Notice what changed (and what didn’t).

Frequently Asked Questions

• What if I’m not sure what my values are?

  Start with your reactions. What reliably makes you feel proud, calm, energized, or resentful? Those emotions often point to values. Use the sliders as a guess — you can refine later.

• Is a low alignment score “bad”?

  No. It’s a snapshot, not a label. A low score can simply mean you’re in a demanding season. The goal is to identify one small move that reduces drift.

• Why do some gaps go negative?

  If Alignment is higher than Importance, you may be over‑investing in an area that doesn’t matter as much to you — or you’re getting it “for free” because of your environment. Either way, it’s useful information.

• How often should I use this tool?

  Weekly is ideal. Choose “Last 7 days,” calculate, and save. Trends reveal what one‑off scores hide.

• Can I use this for major decisions?

  Yes, as a reflection aid. If a decision improves alignment with a high‑importance value, it often increases long‑term satisfaction. For high‑stakes decisions, pair this with tools like trade‑off analysis and financial planning.

• What score should I aim for?

  Aim for trend, not a number. Many people feel good at 70–80 if their top values gaps are small. A score above 85 usually means you’re living in a way that matches your identity right now. If you’re below 55, treat it as a gentle signal to choose one value and create one proof action this week.

• Can this help with burnout?

  It can help you notice burnout patterns early. Burnout often combines low Health alignment (sleep/movement) with low Freedom alignment (no autonomy) and low Integrity alignment (saying yes when you mean no). If you suspect burnout, consider speaking to a qualified professional. Use this tool to identify one boundary you can set and one recovery action you can schedule.

• Is it normal for my “top gap” to change week to week?

  Yes. Your environment changes, deadlines change, and seasons change. That’s why weekly snapshots are useful: you’ll see which gaps are temporary and which ones keep recurring. Recurring gaps are where long‑term redesign pays off.

Use results as guidance, not judgement

Alignment tools are most helpful when they reduce shame and increase clarity. Use your score to choose one small action, then re‑check next week. If you’re making major legal, medical, or financial decisions, consult qualified professionals.

• Each morning: ask “What’s one action today that proves a value I care about?”
• Each evening: note one moment you lived a value (even small).