When I experienced bankruptcy for myself, I knew that I had a strong foundation to fall back on: my values. Take inventory of the values (personal, experiential, giving, and receiving) that make you who you are now and then imagine the person you want to become. Build around the values those people have in common.

When you start from a strong foundation, whatever your core values may be, you will have to find people to help drive you forward in your goals. Having a set of principles and standards will attract the right people around you, and it will also empower you to cut ties with associates who aren’t a great fit. It will prepare you to foster beneficial relationships with family, friends, business associates, and even develop mentoring relationships.

We must not only think, say, and do the right things to attract the right people. We must also believe the right things and even carry the right energy. This can happen only if we incorporate our values into every aspect of our life and business. If we want to live a grateful life for example, we cannot only think grateful thoughts. We must take grateful action as well, show this gratitude for ourselves and others consistently and with persistence.