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Reflecting on and understanding your Core Values is the key to your success and satisfaction in life. Your Core Values act as a Compass when faced with making decisions.
The exercise below is a detailed journey to identify your Core Values. I recommend doing this activity in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. It is important to have the time and space to really reflect.
So, what exactly are Core Values?
Core Values are the things in your life that are important to you, that are your priority.
They encompass your foundational beliefs and guide your behaviors, actions and decisions. If you are acting in alignment to them, they bring about a sense of purpose and self-worth.
If we are not, however, it can manifest as anxiety, feeling in a ‘funk’, uncertainty, angst.
Our Core Values can and will change and evolve over time so it is important to reflect and identify your Core Values annually or with any major life changes.
With all that we have all gone through the past 18 months, now is a VERY important time to do this reflection.
Priorities and perspectives will be impacted when faced with life changing experiences so we owe it to ourselves to re-evaluate when appropriate.
Here are some things to consider before you go about choosing the words that best represent your Core Values:
Jot down the answers to the following:
Think about someone you admire?
What is it about them that inspires you?
What admirable qualities do they possess?
What behaviors and actions would you desire to emulate?
Think about a time when you really felt most like yourself.
When you really felt in flow……
Who were you with?
What were you doing?
What emotions did you feel?
Think of a time when you stood up for something that may have even posed a risk to you.
What was it that motivated you to take a stand?
What were you willing to risk?
Who or what were you taking a stand for?
Once you have thought through those items, its time to put pen to paper and identify the words to describe your Core Values.
If you are having a hard time coming up with the exact verbiage, no worries! I have included a list (not exhaustive for sure) for you to reference below.
Go ahead and circle all the words that resonate with you.
There is no limit to the number you circle at this point in the exercise.
The next step is to look at the list you have chosen and narrow it down to roughly 6-8 Core Values.
You can do this by categorizing Values that are related.
Now, look at that list and see if there are any that are related.
For instance, authenticity, honesty and trust could all fall under the umbrella of integrity. You can write them under the main word as sub values.
Integrity
Authenticity
Honesty
Trust
You can also consider the following:
Which Core Values are Essential to your life?
Which Core Values represent your Primary Way of being?
Now comes the fun part!
You have your 6-8 Core Values identified and now it is time to describe how your life and actions support and represent them.
If one of your Core Values is “Wellness”, your aligned actions could be:
Consuming nutritious foods
Exercising and moving your body everyday
Awareness of what you consume to ensure a healthy mindset
Avoiding distinctive habits
Identifying your ‘Aligned Actions’ creates a framework for you to stay on course and congruent with what is important to you.
When you have clarity on your Core Values, it makes decision making easier as you are able to evaluate if something is in line with your values or not. If you are feeling uneasy or have a gut feeling about a decision, take a step back and evaluate if you are in harmony with what you have identified as your priorities. Chances are, you are not and may need to rethink your next steps.
Living in line with your Core Values conversely is most liberating and empowering. Knowing you are being true to yourself is powerful!
