How Living by Your Values Can Transform Your Family’s Life
Knowing your values is just the beginning—the real power comes when you start making decisions based on them.
Your values are the why behind how you live and what you do. They shape the way you spend your time, the commitments you take on, and the way you raise your family. Decision-making becomes easier and more intentional when you’re clear on your values.
From Saying “Yes” to Everything to Living with Intention
As a mom of young kids, there’s no shortage of opportunities to volunteer at school. In the beginning, I signed up for everything. My kids loved having me around; it was a great way to meet people in the community. But over time, I found myself stretched too thin.
I wasn’t pursuing things I loved. My excuse was time, but the real issue was that everything I did was negotiable—I lacked focus and was doing too many things halfway. Volunteering, while good, had unintentionally become a distraction.
My choices were driven by busyness and people-pleasing, not by my values.
That realization led me to pursue a more intentional way of life. Now, I can confidently say that the way my family and I use our time—including how and when we volunteer—reflects our values. I stopped signing up for just anything and began focusing on what truly mattered to us.
Finding the Right Opportunity
Then, a perfect opportunity came up. A friend asked if I was interested in being the committee chair for the TREP$ Entrepreneurship Education Program at my children’s school. My daughter had participated the year before and loved it. Without hesitation, I said, “YES!”
Why? Because it aligned with our family values.
As a couple, my husband and I believe in biblical financial principles. We see ourselves as stewards of what we’ve been given—managing our finances wisely, increasing our resources so we can be generous, and passing that knowledge on to our kids.
This volunteer role wasn’t just another commitment—it was a values fit.
How It Strengthened Our Family
As committee chair, I registered students, supported workshop facilitators, and promoted the Marketplace where students sell their products and services. My husband was the Marketplace Coordinator, handling the program’s main event logistics.
But the most rewarding part? This experience has become a family effort.
Each of our kids has participated as a student entrepreneur.
They help with setup and cleanup each year.
Our oldest daughter, who has aged out of the program, now assists the class facilitator.
Our language reflects this shared purpose. Instead of saying, “I’m volunteering,” we say, “We’re volunteering.” This isn’t just my thing—it’s our family’s thing.
Even the school principal recognized it. During the opening remarks at the Marketplace event, he didn’t just mention my name—he thanked “the Amici family.”
My children’s enthusiasm for this experience grows each year because they know they are part of something that matters to us as a family and the community.
The Power of Values-Based Decision-Making
When I said yes to this opportunity, I didn’t second-guess myself. I didn’t worry if I would enjoy it or if it was worth my time. I had already identified my values, so the decision was easy.
You can experience the same confidence when making decisions—how to spend your time, what opportunities to pursue, or how to raise your family. When your values guide your choices, you’ll feel more fulfilled, less overwhelmed, and more aligned with what truly matters.
Not sure of what your 5 top core values are? It’s time to find out what they are!
It’s easier than you think. Check out my blog post on How to Identify Your Values and Improve Your Life and download this FREE worksheet that will help you.
