Why You Feel Unfulfilled—and How to Fix It

Stand for Something Greater Than Yourself

The secret to a remarkable life isn’t wealth, success, or happiness—it’s standing for something bigger than yourself. History’s greatest leaders understood this, and it’s the one thing you can do to unlock a life of purpose and freedom.

Today, we’re going to uncover what made figures like William Wallace (aka Braveheart) and Abraham Lincoln unstoppable forces of change—and how you can use the same principles to break free from mediocrity, clarify what truly matters, and start living intentionally

If you’ve ever felt stuck, disconnected, or like you’re just going through the motions, this is for you. By the end of this newsletter, you’ll know exactly how to align your actions with your values and start building a life that actually matters.

Let’s dive in—starting with powerful lessons from history’s most inspiring leaders and the principles that made them unstoppable.

Lessons from History’s Greatest Leaders

Every great leader in history had strong beliefs about how to live and how the world should be. These beliefs inspired millions of people to follow them and even drove some of them to conquer entire continents.

Their followers resonated with these values and saw themselves and how they felt inside reflected in their leaders’ words and, most importantly, their actions.

William Wallace is a powerful example. Born in 13th-century Scotland, he led the fight for his country’s independence from English rule.

He believed deeply in freedom and was willing to risk everything to defend his people. Against all odds, Wallace inspired the Scots to rise up and won a decisive victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Even after he was captured and executed, his sacrifice only strengthened his legacy. Wallace remains a symbol of courage and freedom for the Scottish people to this day.

Another great example is Abraham Lincoln. Born into humble beginnings, he rose to become one of the most influential leaders in history.

Lincoln’s unwavering belief in liberty and justice shaped every decision he made, inspiring millions to fight for a cause greater than themselves.

He spoke and acted with humility and conviction, making his mission to preserve the Union and free the enslaved resonate deeply with the American people.

Like Wallace, he ultimately sacrificed his life for what he believed in, becoming a symbol of freedom and resilience.

Why Standing for Something Still Matters

This idea of standing for something isn’t just a relic of the past either—it’s as relevant today as it was centuries ago.

Modern examples include people like Donald Trump and Jordan Peterson. Both have tapped into the prevailing thoughts and emotions of their audiences by voicing unspoken frustrations that resonate deeply with people’s lived experiences.

Trump has stood up for people who feel ignored by politicians and changes in society. Peterson has addressed the struggles of individuals searching for meaning, responsibility, and self-discipline in a chaotic world.

This ability to connect with their audiences has led to remarkable achievements. Trump’s mastery of this dynamic propelled him to the presidency of the United States—twice.

Peterson, on the other hand, has built a global following of over 10 million people and sold millions of books, making him one of today’s most influential intellectuals.

However, standing for something meaningful often comes with a heavy price. For Donald Trump, his polarising leadership has made him a target—not just politically, but physically.

On July 13, 2024, he narrowly survived an assassination attempt during an open-air rally, missing death by mere inches.

Similarly, Peterson has faced immense personal and professional struggles, including losing his clinical license and battling opioid addiction, which nearly claimed his life.

Despite these hardships, what sets them apart is the strength of their values and principles. Their unshakable belief in their missions keeps them moving forward through adversity.

Discovering and Living by Your Values

This raises an important question: How can “ordinary” people like you and I develop the kind of unshakable conviction that drives individuals like Wallace, Lincoln, Trump, or Peterson?

Values are the principles that define what matters most to you. They form the foundation for your decisions, behaviours, and, ultimately, the direction of your life.

But the challenge isn’t just identifying your values—it’s ensuring those values are truly yours, not imposed by society, family, or peers.

Start by thinking back to times you’ve come across ideas or people you’ve completely disagreed with.

What about those situations made you feel so strongly? These moments reveal when your values have been challenged and help clarify what you truly care about—and why it matters to you.

Identifying your values is only the first step. The real challenge lies in aligning your actions with them. When your actions reflect your values, you create a life of integrity and purpose. But when there’s a disconnect, you start to feel lost, conflicted, or even resentful.

This misalignment is why so many people feel stuck today. They stay in jobs they hate, relationships they know aren’t right, or lifestyles that don’t align with their inner beliefs. This tension can create enormous stress, unhappiness, and a deep sense of emptiness.

Living out of alignment usually comes down to two things: ignorance or fear. Some people don’t know their values because they’ve never taken the time to reflect on them.

Instead, they unconsciously adopt the values of others—family, friends, or society—leading to a hollow, directionless life. Others know their values but are afraid to act on them, fearing judgment, rejection, or failure.

The Cost of Compromise and the Courage to Stay True

The cost of living out of alignment is devastating. It drains your energy, erodes your confidence, and leaves you feeling disconnected from yourself. Over time, it robs you of your purpose and the trust you have in yourself.

The truth is, living out of alignment comes with a price far greater than the discomfort of standing firm. Without trust in yourself, it becomes nearly impossible to live a fulfilling life.

This is where courage comes in. The courage to live by your values, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular, is what separates remarkable lives from mediocre ones.

Think back to figures like William Wallace or Abraham Lincoln. They faced opposition, hardship, and even death for standing by their values. But they knew the alternative—compromise—was far worse.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s acting in spite of it. It’s the ability to remain true to yourself when your convictions are tested, whether by external forces or internal doubts.

Building Courage and Living in Alignment

Here’s how you can build this courage:

• Focus on Your “Why”: Remind yourself why your values matter and what’s at stake if you don’t live by them.

• Embrace Discomfort: Growth happens outside your comfort zone. The more you lean into discomfort, the more resilient you become.

• Visualise the Cost of Inaction: Imagine the long-term consequences of not standing by your values—on your life, relationships, and self-respect.

When you live in alignment with your values, you unlock a deeper sense of purpose and fulfilment that no amount of success or external validation can provide.

It’s not just about what you achieve—it’s about who you become in the process.

The leaders we admire, past and present, weren’t perfect. But they lived with integrity, faced immense pressure, and stood by their beliefs even when the cost was high. That’s what made their lives extraordinary, and it’s a path you can choose too.

Define your values. Stand by them. Let them guide your actions, even when it’s hard.

Because when you have the courage to live in alignment with who you truly are, you inspire others to do the same—and together, you create a ripple effect that transforms not just individual lives, but entire communities and even the world.