From Achievement to Alignment: Exploring What Truly Matters - Part 1
The Real Win: Living Aligned with What Truly Matters
This week, Scottie Scheffler, currently ranked as the number one golfer in the world, shared again that being a husband and showing up for his family are his top priorities, even above holding his prestigious title. He said it simply, without fanfare. That clarity stood out.
In a culture obsessed with achievement, wealth, and status, hearing someone at the very top of their profession prioritize values like family reminds us how essential it is to be anchored in what truly matters.
Values like family aren’t just preferences or nice-to-haves; they are the deep inner compass that shapes our choices and grounds our sense of self.
These values connect intimately to identity, which is far more than the roles or titles we carry.
Identity is the lived experience of who we are beneath the surface. Identity are the deeply held principles that guide our life decisions and choices - the core beliefs, values, stories, and purpose that give our lives meaning and direction. It persists beyond any external role or status, but it’s also vulnerable to disruption.
This week, I led a workshop with an investment fund focused on retirement and legacy. These are topics that are often reduced to numbers, tax codes, and asset management. But beneath those financial details lie some of the most profound and destabilizing moments a person can face. How do I know this? Because whether you’re nearing retirement yourself or work closely with those who are, you’ve likely seen how often people return to their numbers, revisiting and reanalyzing them again and again. That simmering uncertainty creates anxiety, and obsessively reviewing financials, even when the future is unpredictable, offers a fragile sense of control. For many Baby Boomers, Allianz Life found that worries about running out of money often outweigh fears of mortality. This is a powerful reminder that retirement isn’t just about spreadsheets and portfolios - it’s deeply tied to emotions, identity, and what truly matters.
Retirement is not just a transition, it can feel like a seismic shift in identity. It’s often the moment when decades of self-definition tied to work, achievement, and productivity come crashing down. It stirs existential questions that can’t be answered with spreadsheets or plans: Who am I if I’m no longer defined by my career? What is the value of my life beyond output or success? How do I create meaning when familiar structures fall away?
How do you hold onto a sense of self when the roles that have defined you shift or fade?
This is just the beginning of the conversation.
If you’re ready to explore these questions more deeply, learn how beliefs and purpose intertwine with identity, and hear real stories about navigating retirement and legacy with clarity and courage, find out more inside the Birch Cove Members Area.
Together, we’ll go beyond the numbers and step into a fuller understanding of what it means to live aligned with what truly matters.
Disclaimer: The information and services provided by Birch Cove are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Birch Cove is not a medical provider and does not treat, cure, or prescribe for any medical conditions unless otherwise stated. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any medical concerns. Birch Cove assumes no liability for actions taken based on the provided information or services. Product links may be affiliate links, meaning Birch Cove could receive a small commission on purchases.
