Choosing Core Values
- Choose your top 6-8 values from a wide-ranging list of values.
Think of three to six people you most admire or love. Consider why they are so important to you.
See a career counsellor as they are able to help match their clients to a compatible career area.
- Use an online values inventory.
- Observe yourself and learn. If you experience a lot of dissatisfaction with your choices, you may not be living up to your values or you may need to re-evaluate what is most important to you.
- Focus on the bitter and the sweet in your life. These moments could direct you to what you care about most.
MORE IDEAS FROM THE ARTICLE
“(Values) are the principles that give our lives meaning and allow us to persevere through adversity”
- The Self-Confidence Workbook.
At times two cherished values will be in conflict.
Knowing why you are choosing Value 1 instead of Value 2 in that instance can be helpful in resolving any inner conflict you may feel.
RELATED IDEAS
Select your top six to eight values. Some of these values may change as you face new situations.
Examples of values: financial security, compassion, health/fitness, nature, accomplishment, creativity, dependability, loyalty, beauty, bravery, gratitude, love, connection/relationships, learning, leadership, survival, self-preservation, security, adventure, family, work, success, calm, freedom.
They are what you consider most important in your life, literally what you “value. ” They are broad concepts that can be applied across a wide range of circumstances, as opposed to narrow answers to specific questions.
If you are conscious of them or not, you have values for every part of your life. And if they are in line with your goals you’re more likely to be successful.
Personal values are the things that are important to us, the characteristics and behaviours that motivate us and guide our decisions. For example honesty or kindness.
Values matter because you’re likely to feel better if you’re living according to your values and to feel worse if you don’t. This applies both to day-to-day decisions and to larger life choices.