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Do you really know what your values are?

Every person values something different in life, whether it be great communication, trusting work relationships, or putting 100% into everything you do. If you’ve never thought much about what you truly value, then it can be helpful to sit down and come up with a personal value statement.

Personal value statements are exactly what they sound like. They’re concise statements that tell someone who you are and what’s important to you in work/life.

Today, we’re going to give you 10 examples of personal value statements. By defining your values in this way, you can better seek out careers, people, and situations that fall in line with them. Keep reading and you’ll be able to craft your very own personal value statement and approach life with your values in mind.

Famous Personal Value Statements

Some of the best examples of personal value statements come from stars of the world(s) of business, media, and activism. These people all rose to the top of their respective professions because of their dedication and strong values.

1. “If Something Is Important Enough, You Should Try, Even If the Probable Outcome Is Failure” -Elon Musk

Elon Musk is famous for risk-taking, so it’s no surprise that his personal values reflect that. This statement is powerful for its simplicity, but more so if you look at the accomplishments of the man that said it.

In all of his endeavors, he’s proven that failure is capable of making you stronger. From his dedication to sustainable vehicles to his unrelenting desire to take humankind to Mars, whatever little failures have occurred along the way pale in comparison to the progress he’s made overall.

2. “To Have Fun In My Journey Through Life and Learn From My Mistakes” -Richard Branson

As one of the biggest thrill-seeking billionaires on the planet, Richard Branson has always exuded a desire to have fun. It’s easy to have fun when you’re so rich, but it’s the rest of the personal value statement that really hits home.

Life is a journey and it should be lived to its fullest. One of the ways to do that is to pay close attention to everything and learn from what works and what doesn’t work.

3. “To Make People Happy” -Walt Disney

Walt Disney has made billions of people happy, so he certainly lived up to his concise, but poignant value statement. At the end of the day, whatever life priorities you have, happiness for yourself and those you come across should always come first.

4. “To Be a Teacher and to Be Known for Inspiring My Students More Than They Thought They Could Be” -Oprah Winfrey

In all of Oprah Winfrey’s media endeavors, the lasting impression one gets is of someone that wants to make a positive impact on the world. She says as much in this personal value statement and has certainly succeeded in doing so.

From propping up authors with Oprah’s Book Club to empowering female voices on her TV channel, Oprah has taught us all that you can do whatever you want, so long as you work hard and give back.

5. “I Want to Serve the People. And I Want Every Girl, Every Child to Be Educated” -Malala Yousafzai

Malala is one of the most important activists of the 21st century, raising her voice in an environment where so many young women have been silenced. Her personal value statement is about as clear as one could be and at 24, she’s done everything in her power to make it happen.

Personal Value Statements for Your Inspiration

You don’t have to be famous to write a personal value statement. Often, they’re used simply to convey your personal goals on a CV or cover letter. Here are a few common examples:

6. “To Create Stories that Educate and Entertain”

If you’re an aspiring writer, journalist, or filmmaker getting your start in the world of media, you always want to make a strong statement about the type of work you want to do. This personal value statement is putting a special emphasis on education rather than just entertainment.

7. “To Offer Excellent Care to All Patients”

As a medical professional, whether you’re a surgeon, nurse, or specialist, the goal is always to provide the best care possible. When you’re writing your CV for your first job at a hospital or clinic, you’d be remiss not to include something along these lines to show your potential employer the type of employee they’ll be getting.

8. “To Cultivate a Positive Working Environment and Inspire Coworkers”

This value statement is a simple, yet effective way to get an employer’s attention. No matter what niche you’re working in (learn more here about finding your niche), positivity and productivity are important shared values.

Every good business strives to have a positive working environment and you can only cultivate that by hiring positive employees. In firmly stating your positive intentions to the employer, you’re giving yourself a greater chance of landing the job you seek.

9. “Use My Project Management Skills to Deliver Productivity”

It can be extremely helpful, in a broad field like project management, to pinpoint what you’re in it for. A personal value statement like this is, once again, simple, but conveys a very specific notion.

Delivering productivity is an important aspect of project management. If that’s why you do what you do, then don’t be afraid to say it.

10. “To Inspire Students to Work Hard and Achieve Their Goals”

Teachers are a great example of how a using value statement can help you guide your own intentions. Why did you become a teacher?

It’s a simple question that evokes complex answers. Try to distill your intentions down to one or two key components, as this one does, and use that as your personal value statement.

Use These Examples of Personal Value Statements as Inspiration

These are 10 great examples of personal value statements and how they can be used to great effect. Use them as examples to find your own voice to create your very own personal value statement that you can live and work by in the future.

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Are you planning to start a business? Even if it’s a small or big business, you still need to follow some steps and advice to be successful. You certainly heard a lot of advice from various people. Most of these come from people who don’t have enough idea about running a successful company. You can do research, check the internet and you’ll be overwhelmed by a lot of articles about this matter.

There are 4 main types of business organization. These are sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, and LLC. A small business depends on the amount of money it gains and some employees at all its business locations. Avoid overanalyzing and overthinking it all. Instead, you can consider these tips for starting your small business.

Tips to make your small business successful:

• Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses

Every small business owner has certain abilities, experience, skills. And the knowledge that gives them an advantage. By the time they establish a business and start managing it. Yet, no small business owner is already an expert in the process. Eventually, you may encounter different challenges along the way. Especially during the earliest phase of your business. You need to have a strong understanding of your strengths and weaknesses so you can focus on them.

• Begin with a simple business plan

Developing a business plan is the first thing you need to do as a business owner. You must make this document to hold yourself accountable and to guide your future work.  Focus on your target market and customers, products, or services. Costs and basic prices and the work needed to make your concept turn into a reality.

• Understand your existing market and target customers

Sometimes business owners develop a great business concept and establish it in the wrong area. That’s why it is necessary to understand the area you’re planning to start your small business. Also, your target customer, seeking out the presence of possible competitors. Determining the market for your products or services and assessing how your business will perform.  Can all make your idea in the appropriate direction. You can also get some ideas from the same businesses as Bonuses.

• Concentrate on something you’re passionate about

Searching for an existing need and targeting it is a key element of beginning a small business. Pair your strong business plan with your passion as early as possible. Combining it with something that motivates, excites, and interests you can result in great development.

A person who does proper financial planning never falls victim to financial problems. It is necessary that while taking home loans, the borrower should have proper financial planning. The borrower should keep a sufficient amount of savings in the bank account before taking home loans. Even if an individual has a high income, the person who does proper savings and financial investments never fall short of the savings. Proper financial planning helps individuals protect themselves and their families from financial problems like sudden job loss, the sudden requirement of medical expenses, or the death of an earning family member. So the earning member of the family must keep savings instead of spending foolishly for a better tomorrow. There are various financial instruments being available for the borrowers to invest and grow their money for the betterment and financial safety of the family members. Making fixed deposits is also a better option but does not yield better than other financial instruments like stocks, mutual funds, or SIP.

Making a nominee in every investment is also essential for the financial investments being done. The borrower of the home loan should have such systematic financial planning that even in case of the sudden death of the borrower during the tenure of the loans, the house purchased for the family’s financial safety should not go away. There are many instances that whenever if the sole breadwinner of the family is lost by the family, in that case, the family members often face financial problems due to which they may have to mortgage their jewelry and also the house. Making a nominee in every financial investment helps the nominee claim the money in case of the sudden death of the investor. Also, the family members should know where the borrower has invested all the money. There should not be any unclaimed funds lying into any of the accounts that the family members would not be aware of. There are many funds being lying unclaimed with the banks, insurance companies, and other investments. It is estimated that the un-claimed funds have been amounting to Rs.83,000 crores across India, which haven’t been claimed by the persons who own it in spite of the account becoming dormant.

Things to do to take care of in case of the sudden death of the family member while Home loans have been taken

• Take a life insurance policy to protect the family:

The home loan borrower should take a life insurance policy amounting to a higher value so that while repaying home loans if sudden death happens of the borrower, the family members should not lose their own house to the bank. Instead, whatever the amount the borrower’s family gets a life insurance amount, the life insurance company can claim the amount of the policy, and the family members can pay the pending amount from the claim settlement received from the life insurance company.

• Make the family members aware of all the savings:

The borrower should inform their spouse about the financial investments being made and where all the money has been invested like stocks, mutual funds, EPF, PPF, insurance policy. etc. So that there should not be any un-claimed value which the family members may not be aware of & thus may not withdraw in case of the sudden death of the borrowers.

• Keep hefty savings for the protection of the family:

The borrower should keep a sufficient amount of funds in savings in a bank account and various financial instruments for the safety of the family members. The borrower should reduce the spending carelessly while the home loans are being taken as it can help the borrower increase maximum savings from whatever the salary is being received.

• Make maximum down-payment as far as possible:

The lender’s interest amount is high as the amount is calculated on a compounded annual basis. Thus to reduce the value of repayment, the borrower should reduce the liability on himself and try to do maximum down-payment so that in case any unfortunate incident happens in case of the borrower. In that case, there should not be any excessive burden of the repayment on the borrower’s family.

• Do regular medical health checkups:

The borrower should do regular health checkups, especially if the borrower’s age is more than 45+ years. The early diagnostics of the health issues can help save the borrower from protecting themselves from the dangerous health problems internally and can cure more early. Late diagnostics of the health problems can cause many complications in the treatment, and chances of being fatal increase.

The above points should be taken care-off while taking home loans to protect the family members from unfortunate incidents. The borrowers should try to make maximum savings and reduce unnecessary expenses while taking loans. Proper financial planning can help the borrower protect the family from facing any financial issues and also protect the purchased home.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a spendthrift or a penny-pincher; having is necessary if you want to protect your future, control your cash flow, and create the kind of lifestyle you want. Designing and planning one is easy; following a budget is the real challenge. For some people, following a budget can be challenging, but there are ways that could make following a budget easy for anyone, whatever the amount on their paycheck.

Get Into the Practice of Saving Money

Initially, it won’t be easy for you to get into the habit of saving money but worry not. Once you get used to putting your money aside (for later use), you’ll realize that it isn’t all that bad. The fundamental key of budgeting is to help you keep more of your money.

Teach yourself to think critically and evaluate the need for any product before buying anything that seems intriguing. It is advisable to keep a specific percentage of your income that goes into savings every time you receive your paycheck. Make sure to do this before you spend a dime from your real income.

Set Your Target

If you want to adhere to budgeting, you need to be chasing something tangible. You can’t just aim only at ‘I have to save money.’ Instead, you must set a goal you want to achieve. This can range from buying a car to traveling or buying a house, basically anything you desire.

You could be saving money for a mortgage loan to build your dream house. Or holding a certain amount of money for the time you retire at 50 or 60. These help you visualize your goals, so you know exactly how much you want to save. You see, setting a specific and inspiring goal will keep you motivated with your budget. Keep your goals specific, measurable, and inspiring to transform your budget into a road map to approach a stable financial destination.

Have a Safety Net

Accidents happen suddenly, so you should always be prepared for the worst. An emergency might include a lot of expenses, so an emergency fund can help you in such situations when you don’t have insurance or a health policy that covers your injury. Furthermore, with such a safety net you’ll remain stress-free and have something to fall back on even in dire times.

Select Your Budgeting Method

Decide on a method to budget your spending and expenses in an organized way. This will help you remember what you spent, your cashflow, what you look forward to buy, and how much you aim to save for the current month.

You can use conventional methods like an excel sheet and a handwritten budget or go for an online app. Whatever you choose, stick to it for a long time and try to choose a budgeting philosophy to get yourself into the habit of budgeting.

Budget for Leisure! 

Do not classify budgeting as a restriction on your life; consider your budget as something you do for fun instead. If you limit yourself too much with a budget, you will only resent it. Instead, try to leave room to have some fun for yourself. Budgeting is by no means something that makes your life unbearable.

You could set aside some money for a trip, an expensive item, a car, or even a front-row ticket to a show or sports game. You might think these are budget busters, but saving for a one-time splurge could compel many people to save more than they usually do. Set aside something for that luxurious expense and your regular savings, and you will find it easier to set aside money when you know there’s a reward waiting for you once you reach your goal.

Remember to put aside a reasonable amount of money for yourself to spend on anything you desire. This will help you to attain joy and satisfaction along with your budgeting endeavors. When you spend within your fun money budget, you will remain stress-free and spend money while not harming your financial future in doing so.

Bottom Line

Life is filled with needs, wants and expenses that could arise at anytime and cost you money. Your budget acts as your financial buffer, so regardless of where you are in life, keeping to a budget is the best safety net you could create for yourself. Cut your expenses, log every purchase, and keep track of your financial progress to allocate smartly. It willgive you freedom, financial control, and a stress-free life.

You’re probably familiar with the green, red, and blue lightsabers made popular by the Star Wars films, but did you know that there was also a black lightsaber?

This blade might have a sinister look, but it hasn’t always been a weapon of evil. Keep reading to learn more about the history of the darkest and most storied lightsaber in all the galaxy.

A Dark Design

The black lightsaber was created with a distinctly Mandalorian look. This blade features sharp geometric edges and a style that would be at home alongside any Mandalorian’s armor. The blade has more unique properties than its design and color.

The crystal that powers the blade channels the emotional energy of the wielder and can even start sparking with electricity when emotions run high. This lightsaber also has a higher pitched sound than your standard blade.

The most intriguing property is its ability to parry regular lightsabers. The black bade seems to draw in other lightsabers and deflect their attacks!

This lightsaber was originally intended to be just another vibroblade, but Lucas made the decision to create something that would really stand out instead.

So, who made this potent weapon?

The First Mandalorian Jedi

One of the most historic members of the ancient Jedi order was Tarre Vizsla. Tarre was the first ever Mandalorian to become a member of the Jedi. In order to mark the occasion, Tarre created a unique lightsaber that spoke to their Mandalorian heritage.

The lightsaber would be held at the Jedi Temple for generations to come. Kept as a mere relic of the past. However, the Mandalorians were not content to just sit there and let a piece of their history sit in someone else’s museum.

Theft, Leadership, and Honor

The black lightsaber is now infamous for how often it trades hands. In proper Mandalorian fashion, it is said that the only legitimate way to claim the Darksaber is to defeat its current owner in combat.

During the fall of the Old Republic, the House Vizsla broke into the Jedi Temple and reclaimed their relic.

It is said that this lightsaber brings honor to the Mandalorians and helps the House Vizsla hold their leadership over the rest of the Mandalorians.

With the Darksaber in hand, anyone can become a powerful master of lightsaber combat. They just need to have the strength and cunning to hang on to it when the next challenger approaches!

Packing for that vacation? We’ve got you covered – from beauty products that will keep you looking fresh in the heat to the coolest iPod soundtracks for those long days lounging in the sun, include these trending essentials in your suitcase and be the chicest Fashionista on the beach!

The Must-Have Accessory

Bright leathers are hot for summer 2014. So why not extend the trend to your bag? These petite clutches transition effortlessly from day to night. Pair with a crisp white bikini, oversized shades and a floral kaftan for a day at the beach or add a pop of colour to a classic LBD in the evening. Better still, once winter rolls around again they’ll make super cute makeup bags. We’ll take one in every colour, thanks!

The Must-Have Nail Polish

Chipped nails are a big Fashionista No-No, but walking around in those gorgeous sandals for days on end can really take its toll on our toes. Luckily, OPI Gel Colour is famous for its long-lasting results, so you won’t have to worry about reapplying during your trip! Primary colours and legobrights were spotted on the SS14 runways of Burberry and Peter Som, so these mouth-watering shades from OPI’s new Brazil Collection will make the perfect addition to your summer ensembles. Head to toe perfection!

The Must-Have Hair Product

Jealous of the long glossy locks that Alessandra Ambrosio and Whitney Port were sporting at Coachella? Us too! Sun, sea and chlorine can damage our hair, making it even harder to achieve Rapunzel lengths. This year, forget topical products and look after your hair from the inside with revolutionary Soya Protein Capsules by Phillip Kingsley. These vegetarian friendly supplements provide you with all the nutrients needed for glossy, healthy hair and the perfect complement to your favourite old RayBan sunglasses.

The Must-Have Perfume

At Mesofashionista.com, we just love a fragrance that automatically gets us in the summery mood! This is definitely the case with Victor & Rolf’s latest perfume, Flowerbomb. Notes of rose and orchid leave us positively uplifted, and the cute bottle even matches our pastel wardrobe staples. Result!

The Must-Have Beach Read

Following the success of her first book Treasure Yourself, supermodel and all round fashion goddess Miranda Kerr is set to release her second novel Empower Yourself this summer. Filled with positive affirmations and power thoughts for young women, Empower Yourself is the perfect feel good read guaranteed to have you feeling strong, confident and beautiful.

The Must-Have Summer Soundtrack

Iconic London band Coldplay release their new album Ghost Stories on May 19, just in time for summer! Reinventing their sound once again, the dreamy and atmospheric tunes make this the must-have album for poolside relaxation.

The Must Have Makeup

Pop icon Santigold has teamed up with legendary make up brand Smashbox to create what can only be described as their most innovative makeup collection yet. Our favourite? We’re torn between the Swarovski crystal lipstick ring and layer-able lip glosses – Um, genius!

Voilà! Packing has never been so easy – pop these summertime essentials in your beach bag to satisfy your fashion cravings whilst your away and feel every inch the fashionista. Enjoy the sunshine!