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Benan Yuceer
In honor of Veterans Day, I’m sharing a personal story from my time in the Army that transformed my understanding of freedom. What began as a simple day in the life of a soldier turned into a defining moment that would shape my life’s path and the core values that guide me. If you feel uncertain about your career or life direction, discovering your core values can be a powerful catalyst for change.
A few months after graduating college at 23, I found myself drafted into non-voluntary military service—a harsh reality check. After years in an academic environment filled with freedom and self-discovery, I was thrust into a world of rigid rules, new faces, and routines that left me with little control.
The military is an environment defined by discipline. For six months, the routine was relentless, and for 40 days straight, I remained on the base without stepping outside. I hadn’t seen civilians in over a month, and as someone who thrives on social interaction, the lack of freedom began to weigh on me.
At first, the confinement felt suffocating. The absence of choice, the lack of control, the constant restrictions—all of it wore me down. Each day, I missed the freedom to make decisions, to explore, and to connect with others. I felt a strong resistance growing within me, a pushback against the confinement that didn’t sit well with who I was.
That’s when I started wondering what this experience was revealing about me. Why did I crave freedom so intensely, and what did that say about my core values?
One day, everything shifted. I was asked to deliver flowers to a general recovering from surgery at a nearby hospital. A mundane task to anyone else, but to me, it was a chance to breathe and reconnect with the outside world. After delivering the flowers, I took a moment to sit in a nearby shopping mall, watching people go about their lives.
I watched people shopping, laughing, and choosing where they wanted to be, and suddenly, the weight of my situation hit me. These people had choices; they were free. I envied them, and, overwhelmed, I began to cry. For the first time, I understood what freedom truly meant to me—not just the physical freedom to go where I wanted, but the autonomy to design a life that allowed me to follow my curiosity, make my own choices, and be authentically me.
That simple task—delivering flowers—helped me realize that freedom and independence were core values in my life. For the remaining months of my service, I felt a deep inner drive, a quiet determination to one day build a life that honored this understanding of myself.
When I was discharged, I took this realization to heart. Every career decision, every new opportunity, I weighed against this value of freedom. Would it allow me to grow, to choose, to be free? Understanding this value shaped my career path, my lifestyle, and even my relationships. It gave me confidence and clarity, guiding me toward a life that was truly my own.
It’s often in challenging or unexpected situations that our core values reveal themselves. In those moments, we find out what truly matters to us, what we’re unwilling to compromise, and what brings us a sense of purpose. Understanding your values gives you a compass—something to guide your career and life choices.
For me, the value of freedom has influenced every step of my journey. Knowing what drives me has made my life feel more aligned and fulfilling. If you’re feeling uncertain, questioning your career, or unsure about your next steps, clarifying your values might be the insight you need.
When Juliette came to me for help with her job search, her resume was scattered and unfocused. But once we clarified her core values, writing her resume became far simpler—and soon, recruiters started reaching out to her. Hear it from her:
“Understanding how to rewrite my resume (specially the fact that I had to revisit my past life and rediscover myself. I realized I forgot parts of me when I moved to the US.). Thanks for helping me remind who I am!”
Your values give you a roadmap. When you’re clear on them, decisions become easier, your confidence increases, and the direction you need to take comes into focus. It’s no longer about adapting to fit external expectations; it’s about creating a path that honors who you are at your core. Imagine building a career and life that reflects your true self—one where every decision aligns with what you truly believe in.
Reflecting on my own journey, I’ve designed a Values Alignment Exercise to help you uncover your core values. This simple yet powerful tool is for anyone feeling unsure, stuck, or seeking clarity in their career and life. By discovering your values, you’ll have a foundation for making decisions that are meaningful and fulfilling.
This Veterans Day, as I reflect on the lessons learned from my Army experience, I’m reminded that clarity, purpose, and fulfillment don’t come from external achievements alone. They come from understanding what truly matters to us. Click the button below to access my Values Alignment Exercise and begin your journey to greater clarity and fulfillment.
Values are shaped and refined by rubbing against real problems, and people interpret their problems according to the values they hold.