Values are a way of knowing yourself better by naming what’s important to you. When you have a solid idea of who you are, it grounds you. You become more confident and less reactive to the ideas and opinions of other people. People who know themselves are comfortable and pleasant to be around.

With flexibility in your schedule, you'll have time to think, learn, and make changes. You'll also have time to respond to a crisis or opportunity.

People love this phrase. It's pithy and kind of old-timey sounding. You hear it from well-meaning folks when we compare our piddly achievements to those of other people. But I think that if you’re careful, comparison can be useful.