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 How to Find Your Core Values

There are tons of values to choose from. So how do you find your core values? Well, we all hold many, many values. Your core values are probably your top 3-5 values. You get these by rank-ordering your values. This can sometimes be tough because all your core values may be important to you. But, by rank-ordering them, you'll better understand which values are the most important to you and which values most influence your life (or which values you would most like to influence your life).

1. Begin by writing down all the values below that stand out to you and have a meaning (scroll down until you see a pink photographs with the values listed)

2. Once you have them written down, from that list, choose top 10. This will make you think, what is most important to you and so you will have to choose

3. To bring it down even further, from the top 10, you can narrow down to top 5. Make sure to pick your top five values that are the most important to you, not what you think you ‘should’ pick or inherent family values, these are YOUR ‘north star’. For example, honesty & integrity or joy & fun may have a similar meaning to you. So, listen to your gut and pick one that connects with you most (you can always include the others in brackets).

4. Now, rank order these in order of importance—so your most important core value would be number 1, your second most important core value would be number 2, etc... Then you'll have your top core values.

   Lets bring it together now so you can really understand the impact it has on your life and check in if you are heading the right way and living in alignment of your true self.

5. Values Exercise #1: Making values actionable
   For each of your top five values, add a verb to it. That is, describe for yourself how you can live each of your core values.

   • For example, if your value is ​love, what will your action be? It could be to 'act with love', 'show love', or even 'receive love with acceptance'.

   • If your value is optimism your actions might be to 'look at life with optimism' or 'think optimistically'.

   • If your value is health, your actions might be to 'eat healthfully', or 'build a healthy lifestyle'. 

   Not all values are easy to add a verb to, but regardless, try to think of the actions that can help you live the value.

6. Once you know your core values, how can you use this information to boost your well-being? Well, in general, it feels better to live our values than not live our values. So here's an exercise to better understand how you currently live your values and how you might engage in additional behaviors that are aligned with your values.

   • Start by thinking about (or writing down) ways that you currently live each of your top 5 core values. For example, if your value is adventurousness, what do you do to be adventurous? 

   • Next, ask yourself if you engage in any behaviors that go against your top 5 core values. For example, in what ways are you not brave, wise, or compassionate (or whatever your values are)? If your value is patience, do you ever snap at your kids? Or, if your value is modesty, do you frequently brag about yourself? Try to notice ways in which you are not living your values.

   • Lastly, ask yourself if there are new behaviors you could engage in to better live these values. For example, how might you be more creative, sociable, or honest (or whatever your values are)?
     Hopefully, these exercises can help you make the best use of knowing your values. That way, your values can help you boost your well-being. If you have any questions or would like to share something with me, my e-mails are always open! Toma x