Episode Summary

This is the first real action step of Phase 2. And I need to be clear: this matters more than your legal structure, your tax strategy, or your investment allocation. Today, you're going to draft your family's five core values.

Why Five Core Values?

Not ten. Not twenty. Five.

Five is the number where values become:

• Memorable
• Actionable
• Usable as decision filters
• Teachable across generations
• Institutional

How to Identify Your Core Values

Step 1: Look at What You Actually Protect and Prioritize

Not what sounds good. What do you actually do?

• What do you spend money on?
• What do you spend time on?
• What would you sacrifice for?
• What do you say no to?

Step 2: Ask What You Want Your Kids to Have

What values do you want guiding their decisions 30 years from now? What would you want them to teach their own kids?

Step 3: Identify What Decisions You Want to Make Easier

What decision filter would help? What principle would make hard calls clearer?

Common Core Values in Enduring Families

1. Integrity in all dealings - Filters out shortcuts and compromises
2. Education as wealth - Guides family member development, investments, philanthropy
3. Stewardship, not entitlement - Ensures heirs see themselves as caretakers, not owners
4. Contribution to community - Connects wealth to purpose beyond accumulation
5. Long-term thinking - Filters out short-term greed and FOMO

Who Should Help You Define Your Values?

Don't do this alone. Include:

• Your spouse
• Your closest advisors who know your family well
• Trusted mentors

Ask them: "What five values do you see us actually living?" They often see patterns about you that you miss about yourself.

The Documentation Process

Once you have your five values:

1. Write them down
2. Create one-sentence definitions for each
3. Make them specific enough to be decision filters
4. Keep them simple enough for a teenager to understand
5. Don't overthink it—we'll refine over the coming weeks

Key Quote

"The values you clarify today will filter decisions your grandchildren make 30 years from now."

Your Action Step

This week, draft your five core values. Write one sentence for each. Get it on paper. Get it real. Don't overthink it yet.

Resources & Next Steps

Visit producerswealth.com/family to download free copies of both books, watch the 10-minute video, or book a call.

Keywords

core family values, value identification, decision-making frameworks, family governance, legacy planning, values documentation, generational wealth, business succession, family culture, stewardship