Values – how do I know mine?
Write down your values in 30 seconds. Now let’s put a bit of effort into this exercise. For two days notice every time you have a high emotional response to anything. Either; anger, fear, excitement, happiness, frustration etc. Think about other times in your life when you experienced high emotional responses. Write these down. It is likely that these are touching your values. Now create a list like this.
|
Action, behavior that got me going |
The value it represents |
Examples
|
Abuse of power |
Humility |
|
Negativity |
Humour/happiness |
|
Inconsistency, broken promises, being late, changing appointments at the last minute, lack of planning |
Keeping promises |
You should keep going until you have about 30 on your list. Can you select the top 10 that have the biggest impact on you. Now you are going to rank them. This can be done by thinking through which value you would bring to play before another by thinking through scenarios. I find it easiest to write them on 10 separate slips of paper and I keep on shifting them around as I change my mind. Compare your ranked values to those you wrote down quickly.
Your number 1 value should be that one thing that no matter what, you will not compromise.
Values are not static and your current life circumstances will influence your priorities. Go with the process and don’t try and judge it or make it “right”. I have done this process for 10 years now and find it interesting to observe which values are consistently in the top and which ones shift in priority, based on life events.
Examples of values or things that are important to you:
|
Abundance |
Excitement |
Integrity |
Quality of Life |
Acceptance of diversity |
Experimentation |
|
Activism |
Expertise |
Intelligence |
Recognition |
Advancement |
Fashion |
|
Adventure |
Fairness and social justice |
Knowing your values |
Reliability |
Aesthetics |
Family |
|
Ambition |
Financial security |
Animal rights |
Forgiveness |
Leadership |
Risk taking |
|
Learning leisure |
Security |
Attention to detail |
Fun |
Literature |
Authenticity |
|
Living your dreams |
Self respect |
Flexibility |
Love for myself |
Balance |
Sensuality |
|
Beauty |
Freedom of choice |
Being kind to neighbours |
Friendship |
Making a difference |
Spiritual enlightenment |
|
Generosity |
Making decisions |
Spirituality |
Spontaneity |
Global awareness |
Massive wealth |
|
Challenging myself |
Global peace |
Moral fulfilment |
Growth |
Change and variety |
Standing up for yourself |
|
Happiness |
Natural living |
Story telling |
Clarity |
Nature |
Style |
|
Having a say and a voice |
Open communication |
Collaboration |
Having dreams |
Support |
Energy |
|
Health |
Optimism |
Support |
Community |
Passion |
Taking risks |
|
Compassion |
Patriotism |
Taking Responsibility |
Competence |
Honesty |
Persistence |
|
Competition |
Honour |
Humour |
Personal growth |
Thinking time |
Courage |
|
Imagination and creativity |
Independence |
Physical challenge |
Time freedom |
Influencing people |
Perspective |
|
Curiosity |
Pleasure |
Play |
Tranquillity |
Decisiveness |
Positive attitude |
|
Positiveness |
Democracy |
Power and authority |
Environment |
Inner harmony |
Trust |
|
Empathy |
Innovation |
Professionalism |
Equity |
Worker’s rights |
Workmanship |
|
Quiet times |
Relationship with Spouse |
Laughter |
Frankness |
Trustiness-worthiness |
Tidiness |
|
The big picture |
Stability |
Charity |
Harmony |
Helping others |
Art |
|
Intellectual status |
Kindness |
Respect |
Feminism |
Love for others |
Calmness |
