Your Values

Values are chosen qualities of being and doing. They are desired qualities of action: how you want to behave; how you want to treat yourself, others, and the world around you. While goals are finite achievements, values are your ongoing guide to living.

Your values will inform the goals that you set for yourself. For example, you may identify connection as one of your values and prioritize this in your life. A goal that reflects this value would be calling or visiting with your friend once a week.

Start by reflecting on the qualities of being and doing that you want to manifest in your life. What matters to you, even if nobody was there to see it?

The Quick Look at Your Values exercise is structured to help you define your values and anchor them in tangible language. Plan to go through this process several times, continuing to narrow down your list each time. The goal is to identify your top six values.

Round 1: Read through the list and label each value Very Important, Quite Important, and Not So Important. For this first round, go with your gut. Mark each one with whatever first comes to your mind without overthinking it.

Round 2: Write a list of all the values you identified as Very Important. Begin to consider why each one made it onto this list. Ask yourself questions like: what spoke to me about this value? How is it reflected in my life? Is this value here because I feel like it should be?

Round 3: Repeat this round as many times as necessary to reach your final six. Reflect on when you were happiest, most proud, or when a challenge felt worthwhile. These experiences will help you to know what really matters.

Remember, your top values can change in different phases of life. This is an exercise that can be continuously revisited.

Now it’s time to put your values into action.

Consider answering these two questions:

1. Why is this value important to me?

2. How will this be demonstrated in my life?

The first question will provide you with a more personalized definition and connection to each value. The second helps you to plan tangible ways that you can reflect the value in your day to day life.

Consider ways in which your values are already being acted upon in your life and be deliberate in maintaining those habits. If there are values that are not as present, think of small, everyday actions that demonstrate that value. For example; if Adventure is a value you are trying to pursue, spend a day being a tourist in your own city.