[00:00:00] Suzie Price Welcome to this Wake Up Eager Workforce podcast mini-episode, where we share our monthly LinkedIn article in 10 minutes or less in a new audio format—thanks to our AI co-hosts. I’m Suzie Price, your host and founder of Priceless Professional Development. Whether you're listening to our long-form episodes or something like this, our focus is always on helping leaders and teams build a high-commitment, low-drama Wake Up Eager Workforce. We cover topics like hiring, building great teams, and waking up eager. Find all our episodes at wakeupeagerworkforce.com or subscribe anywhere you get your podcasts. Let me know if you’re enjoying these mini episodes or if I can help in any way. You can reach me at suzie@pricelessprofessional.com or connect on LinkedIn. Thanks for tuning in—go out and have a Wake Up Eager kind of day! Here’s a powerful moment from this month’s article—an 80-year-old friend, in tears, saying: “This is not how I wanted my life to turn out.”

[00:01:27] AI 1 That moment really stops you. It brings up that deep sense of regret or the constant questioning we sometimes feel—am I spending my time in alignment with what really matters? What’s all of this really for?

[00:01:36] AI 2 Yeah, that line really hits hard. It touches on something universal—a quiet fear, or maybe a loud realization—that we’re not living in a way that reflects our core values.

[00:01:49] AI 1 Exactly. That kind of reflection brings us back to the fundamentals: purpose, alignment, and meaning.

[00:02:03] AI 2 Which is what the article explores—through the lens of Robert S. Hartman and his work in axiology, or the science of values.

[00:02:16] AI 1 Axiology—let’s unpack that. So our mission for the next few minutes is to share key insights from the article, to help guide us toward a more purposeful life—and hopefully away from those deep regrets.

[00:02:32] AI 2 Hartman was even nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. He didn’t just theorize about values—he built a structured, almost scientific framework for understanding how we assign and experience value.

[00:02:51] AI 1 Measuring value—wow.

[00:02:53] AI 2 It’s less about defining what’s valuable and more about understanding how we structure value internally and how that shapes our lives.

[00:03:00] AI 1 So it’s not just abstract philosophy—it’s a practical science. But how does this help us avoid regret and live better?

[00:03:07] AI 2 The article highlights one of Hartman’s biggest insights: meaning and fulfillment don’t primarily come from knowledge or doing things—but from being.

[00:03:19] AI 1 That’s what makes it so interesting—Hartman believed that being is the most vital source of meaning.

[00:03:27] AI 2 Exactly. He said, “To be is probably the most difficult and most important task of our moral lives.” That was his foundation.

[00:03:37] AI 1 That’s powerful—and very different from how we usually focus on achievements and external success. So how do we cultivate “being”?

[00:03:49] AI 2 The article suggests it’s about developing your inner core—aligning your internal self with what you truly value.

[00:04:08] AI 1 That’s brilliant. There’s this quote—“Your inner self, your humbler being, is what makes dogs lick you.” It’s such a relatable way to express authenticity.

[00:04:18] AI 2 Exactly. That kind of quiet inner alignment builds real connection. The article ties this back to axiology as a tool—not just for leadership or hiring—but for personal clarity.

[00:04:40] AI 1 Which loops us back to that opening story. A life of regret often comes from being out of alignment. That’s why understanding values—and prioritizing being—is so important.

[00:04:53] AI 2 Yes. The article suggests that if you're questioning your purpose, it helps to pause and focus on what brings you true meaning. Compassion, connection—even self-care—can anchor you to that deeper self.

[00:05:09] AI 1 So it’s about aligning the doing with the being, using value clarity as a guide.

[00:05:24] AI 2 Exactly. It’s not about a massive overnight change—it’s about making intentional choices that build a life of fewer regrets.

[00:05:35] AI 1 So let’s leave you with this: If “being” is the hardest yet most essential task, what does cultivating your inner self look like for you—today?