I’m bestselling indie writer Teague de La Plaine. This is my weekly newsletter, where I talk about writing and self-publishing in addition to my own life. I keep the newsletter free, because I prefer you spend your money on my books.
I’ve worn a uniform for nearly three decades. That uniform came with plenty of stated values (honor, courage, commitment, etc.) and they served me well in combat zones and conference rooms alike. I am also an adherent to Stoicism and its four Virtues (Courage, Justice, Wisdom, Temperance). But something happens when you hit your 50s and start plotting an exit from the only life you’ve ever known. You realize: those values were given to you. And now it’s your job to define your own.
So I did.
Not as an exercise in branding. Not to impress anyone. But to understand what drives the course I’m setting toward full creative independence, an unconventional adventure with my wife and kids, and the simple life of writing, sailing, and giving a damn about the future of humanity.
And here’s the kicker: your values already exist. You just have to uncover them.
Here’s how I did it—and how you can, too.
Step 1: Don’t Start with Words. Start with Your Life.
Forget the buzzwords. You don’t need “excellence” or “authenticity” on your wall. You need a mirror. Take stock of:
What you do without being told
What you’ve suffered for
What decisions cost you, but were still worth it
What your kids see in you (or what you hope they will see)
What you’ve walked away from
What you would do even if no one ever noticed
That’s where your values live—not in theory, but in action.
Step 2: Find the Patterns.
I looked at the arc of my life:
Military service taught me discipline and integrity—but also the limits of obedience.
Parenthood made me value legacy, not just leadership.
Sailing taught me simplicity, precision, and freedom.
Writing revealed my hunger for expression and impact.
Travel and partnerships across cultures made it clear: we’re one human family, borders be damned.
When I zoomed out, a few patterns stood out. So I gave them names:
My Core Values (and How They Got That Way)
⚓ 1. Integrity of Action
“Lead with action. Anchor in truth.”
I’ve seen what happens when people say one thing and do another. Integrity isn’t perfection—it’s alignment. Say what you mean. Do what you say. And when you mess up? Own it. That’s how trust is built.
🌍 2. Global Humanism
“One planet. One people. One purpose.”
The more time I’ve spent overseas, the more I realize how artificial our divisions are. Race. Nation. Language. Religion. These are old software updates. We’re overdue for a system reset. I believe in a human future, not a tribal one.
💡 3. Simplicity with Purpose
“Less, but better.”
I’m not trying to optimize my morning routine so I can buy a Lamborghini. I’m simplifying because clutter (physical, mental, digital, financial, etc.) is the enemy of peace. Every object, task, or commitment should earn its place.
🛡 4. Resilience through Discipline
“Discipline is destiny.”
I wake at 0440. I ruck, train, write, read, and journal daily. Not because I’m a machine, but because the alternative (drift) is death to the soul. Hard things give you a backbone. Especially when no one’s watching.
🔥 5. Creative Legacy
“Create what matters. Pass it on.”
Books, ideas, frameworks, philosophies. That’s what I want to leave behind. I write for my kids. For future star sailors. For a humanity I hope still believes in its own potential. We’re all here on borrowed time—make something that lasts.
🕊 6. Sovereign Freedom
“Live free. Leave space for others.”
I believe liberty exists in both the soul and the structure. That freedom isn’t given—it’s built, one decision at a time. That means teaching my kids how to live freely. It also means resisting systems that strip that freedom from others.
Note: I implement these values perfectly every day at exactly zero percent. It’s a work in progress, like everything in life.
Step 3: Turn Them into a Framework.
Once you name your values, give them shape. I put mine into a hexagon emblem (yeah, I went full nerd). Each point reinforces the others. Together, they chart the course of my post-military life:
A catamaran and a compass.
A blank page and a pen.
Four kids learning by doing.
A future worth fighting for.
If you’re stuck, here’s your homework:
List the five hardest choices you’ve made.
List five moments that made you proud without applause.
List five dreams you haven’t let go of.
Now look at those lists. What throughlines emerge?
That’s where your values live.
Final Word:
Your core values aren’t just what you believe. They’re how you live.
And if you don’t define them, someone else will.
So get to it.
And if this helped you? Hit reply and tell me what values rose to the surface.
We’re all figuring it out.
If you're charting your own next chapter—whether it's a career shift, creative rebirth, or slow sail to freedom—I’d love to hear what values are steering your ship.
🧭 Comment below with your core values.
🔖 Forward this to someone starting a new chapter.
📘 Grab one of my books if you want to see what this looks like in fiction.
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definitely an interesting exercise to tackle. I like your core values and how they got that way, and appreciate the explanation of your process to come up with them.
Thanks!