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Stand out to your hiring panel with a personal value statement

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What is a personal value statement?

Where to share your personal value statement, finding the sweet spot, how to write a personal value statement, personal value statement examples, getting the job.

You’re a strong job applicant. You have exceptional skills and this seems like a job you were born to do. But how do you capture a hiring manager’s attention? Start with a personal value statement.

Your personal value statement serves as a roadmap for potential employers that guides them through what’s most important to you and what you’re best at. Like any good set of directions, it shouldn’t be too long or wordy.

While distilling your best qualities down to a short statement sounds like a challenge, the process is actually much faster than writing a cover letter.

And we’re here to help. Read on to learn everything you need to know about personal value statements and look at examples to use as a template when writing your own.

A personal value statement is a short letter that outlines your career goals, skillset, and background to recruiters. Your goal with this document is to convey why and how you’re the best candidate for the job. 

A personal value proposition i s your opportunity to explain your short-term and long-term goals, guiding principles, and values. How do you align with the company’s mission and add to its culture? Because it contains such vital information, your personal value statement should stand out on your resume or in your application package.

Use impactful but concise language and sprinkle in some action verbs . 

A personal value statement isn’t something every candidate thinks to include, so be sure to highlight the statement in your formatting so the recruiter can’t miss it.

Remember that statement isn’t the same thing as a cover letter . Instead of diving into the nitty-gritty of your experience and work history in a page or two, your personal value statement or proposition should only be a few paragraphs at most.

An effective statement is well-rounded. It doesn’t focus entirely on your skills or only on your life goals. If you’re stuck in the brainstorming phase, try to find someone you can talk to about your personal and professional values, like a mentor or loved one.

Your personal value statement can find a home in a few different places. Since these statements are usually short, ranging from a few sentences to a couple of paragraphs, you can incorporate yours in several spots throughout your hiring package and application. 

Not all of the information in your resume needs to be sentence fragments and bullet points. If your statement is only a few sentences, slip it into your resume in the summary or objective sections. Your LinkedIn profile is like a digital resume, so you could also include your personal value statement in your “About” section for the recruiters scrolling through your profile.

You can also use your statement during an interview. If the hiring panel asks, “Tell us a bit about yourself?” ground your response with your personal value statement. It’s a good jumping-off point to discuss your background and what you’d bring to the company. You can emphasize how your values align with the company’s mission and the job’s requirements.

Applying for a role that doesn’t require a cover letter? A robust personal value statement can be submitted in its place. Keep it to a few paragraphs and attach it as a separate document alongside your resume. Going above and beyond with a personal statement will make a positive impression on any recruiter reading through your package.

When writing your personal value statement, you need to strike the right balance between highlighting your skills, background, competencies, and work values — all without making your statement look jumbled. But coming up with positive self-descriptors can be difficult, especially if your mind is drawing a blank. 

This is where bolstering your self-knowledge comes in. Before you begin writing, take the time to ask yourself some questions to narrow down your purpose, mission, and vision for the role you’re applying for.

The type of questions you ask yourself matters. Studies have shown asking “why” questions can cause you to focus too much on problems and negativity, but “what” questions spark curiosity and motivation. Remember to approach these questions open-mindedly and invite yourself on a journey of self-discovery .

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• What do you offer this position and company?
• What impact will you make on the team?
• What motivates you to achieve your professional goals?
• What personal goals support your career development?
• What does this company need right now?

After asking yourself some personal questions, it’s time to put your answers into words. Here are six tips for writing your personal value statement:

1. Brainstorm your values and assets

Before you begin writing, take the time to contemplate your most in-demand skills , proudest accomplishments, and relevant work values. Which of your transferable skills  would be the most useful to the company? What accomplishment of yours would wow the recruiter? Think these answers through and have them handy.

2. Be authentic

Nobody can speak to your personal values but you. Convey you’re comfortable being your authentic self  to the hiring team. But remember: authenticity isn’t static, it’s constantly changing and developing . Acknowledging this demonstrates you have a growth mindset , which is an asset.

3. Stay present

You’re in the here and now. While a resume discusses your previous work experience, a personal value statement shouldn’t only dwell on the past. Use the present tense in your writing and emphasize your current skills and core values.

4. Keep it concise

Even if you’re opting for a letter format, your statement shouldn’t be a full page. A strong personal value proposition is between 50–250 words. Don’t be afraid to use bullet points to explain your points more succinctly.

5. Tailor it to the position

In your statement, there isn’t room to ramble. And don’t copy-paste. Be specific and tailor your strengths to the position you’re applying for. That way, you can address the skills and experience the recruiter seeks.

6. Use action verbs

Recruiters who see repeats of the same boring words and phrases won’t stay focused on your statement. To keep the reader engaged, use action words that pack a punch. Pair them with measurements of success. For example: “I directed a successful fundraising campaign that raised over $16,000.” Avoid clichés like “I’m a perfectionist” and “My biggest strength is organization.”

It’s one thing to read about wha t a personal value statement s hould look like, but looking through examples is the best way to get inspired for your own statement. 

Whether you want your statement to be short and sweet or a few hundred words, example personal value statements will help you visualize the formatting and style. Remember: the length of your statement will depend on your needs.

If this replaces a cover letter, it needs to be lengthy and thorough. If you’re squeezing it into your resume, it should be brief and packed with information. Our example statements can serve as a template for you to customize or a source of inspiration.

Here are tw o personal value statement examples t o guide you:

Short example

Working for a non-profit has always provided me with the most meaningful work, and (company name) is an organization I’ve long admired for its thoroughness, care, and dedication to the community.

Should you hire me, my years of experience as a communications director will help me carry out my duties in this role — and I’ll have the opportunity to learn new skills along the way. I’m a self-starter who’s always itching to brainstorm creative solutions, and I’d love to be part of your team.

Long example

Dear (recruiter),

The job description for (position) grabbed my attention as soon as I saw it, and I knew I needed to apply. As a management consultant with over eight years of experience, I’m comfortable breaking down information and charting new ways of interpreting research.

I also enjoy thinking outside of the box when it comes to problem-solving. Even if some of my ideas don’t work out on the first try, I see the process as a learning opportunity helping me get that much closer to solving the puzzle.

As a consultant at your firm, I’ll add the following to your team:

• A positive and encouraging attitude
• Strong collaboration skills with team members
• Extensive experience in complex problem-solving
• Expert knowledge of federal laws and regulations

You’re a new company that’s already making its mark on the industry. I admire your trailblazing, especially in environmental research. Your team will benefit from having a seasoned and experienced consultant onboard who can help you take your products to the next level.

I’d love to talk more about this position and how I plan to positively impact on your company.

(Your name)

Now that you know how to write a personal value statement, y ou’re ready to add one to your hiring package to land your dream job. 

Self-promotion rarely feels natural, but you’ve put in years of hard work to be where you are. Your personal values are strong and guiding. Tell recruiters in your job search to show them why you’re the best fit for the role.

Transform your life

Make meaningful changes and become the best version of yourself. BetterUp's professional Coaches are here to support your personal growth journey.

Maggie Wooll, MBA

Maggie Wooll is a researcher, author, and speaker focused on the evolving future of work. Formerly the lead researcher at the Deloitte Center for the Edge, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Maggie is passionate about creating better work and greater opportunities for all.

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How to write a powerful personal values statement

Oct 3, 2020  | Updated May 2, 2024 by Jennifer Bridges  @JenBridgesRD

• 1. List your values
• 2. Group them into themes
• 3. Get rid of least important ones
• 4. Say why each is important
• Best practices
• Example statement
• How to use it

Talk to an expert

This post has been modified to reflect new information since its original publication.

If you haven’t identified the things that matter most to you, then you might end up working for a company that isn’t a good fit. For example, if you prioritize introspection and alone time, but you pass up a back-office role to take a customer-facing position because it offers more prestige, then you’ll quickly become frustrated. One way to avoid this problem is to write a personal values statement—a bulleted list that describes the things you care about. 

The more precisely you define your values, the more likely you will be to find a career that aligns with those values. A well-thought-out personal values statement is also a great way to show potential employers your personal brand and the high moral standards you live your life by.

Follow these steps to create a personal values statement that can serve as a guiding light for your personal, as well as your professional, life.

1. Write down the things you value

The first step is to brainstorm what traits, qualities, and characteristics you admire. Write down everything that comes to mind, and don’t worry about how long your list gets; you’ll condense it down to a manageable size in the next step.

Here are some common values you might consider. However, this list is far from complete. Don’t feel obligated to restrict your choices to those listed here:

• Achievement
• Dependability
• Determination
• Independence
• Intelligence
• Responsibility

If you are having trouble thinking of values to list, you can ask yourself these questions:

• What traits do you admire in others? —What values make a person special? Bravery? Compassion? Intelligence?
• Which values made your past successes possible? —Did you close that deal because of your persistence or patience? 
• What types of behavior inspire you? —This behavior usually represents a value you admire.
• What kinds of behavior make you mad? —This is usually the opposite of a value you appreciate.
• What are you most proud of? —Think of the value associated with your proudest accomplishment. For example, did you complete the marathon due to your fortitude or optimism?
• What’s the one thing you would change about yourself? —Is there a particular value you struggle with?
• Describe the happiest time of your life —What were you doing? What value is involved?

Once you’ve listed between 20 and 40 items, it’s time to start editing your list.

2. Group your values into themes

After you’ve created your list, you need to reduce it to a more manageable size. Luckily, many of the values you’ve listed will naturally fall under larger categories. 

For example: 

• Intelligence , learning , and discernment can all fit under wisdom .
• Responsibility , honesty , and honor can all fit under accountability .
• Respect , loyalty , and kindness can all fit under friendship .

Keep sorting items in your list until everything fits into an appropriate overarching theme. These themes are your personal values.

3. Eliminate the least important values 

Now that you’ve condensed your personal values list, you need to reduce it further by choosing the top five or 10 values to use in your personal values statement. An easy way to do this is to rank each one from most important to least important.

Try comparing two values at a time and ask yourself, “If I had to live without one of these values, which would it be?” Then, go through the rest of your list, two at a time, deciding which one is less important.

4. Write a sentence describing why each value is important to you

When you’ve finalized your list of values, you need to give each one a context. To do so, you should write a sentence or two explaining what each one means to you. 

How do you interpret this value? How do you live it in your life?

For example, if your value is empathy, you could say something like this:

“ Empathy—Being open to learning about others’ experiences and the motivations behind their actions. Letting people know you are there for them. ”

Personal value statement best practices

Everyone’s personal values statement is unique to them, but there are a few common guidelines to keep in mind when creating yours.

• Be authentic —Don’t try to be someone you’re not. There’s no point in writing a personal values statement if the values you list don’t come from your heart. 
• Get a second opinion —Show your statement to your family, friends, coworkers, and even your boss. These people know you best and will have the best insights and suggestions to improve your statement.
• Keep it current —Revisit your statement every year or so to see if it needs updating. Everyone changes over time. It makes sense that your values might change too. For example, getting married and having a baby might lead you to value financial security more than you did when you were single. 
• Ignore mundane values —Don’t leave a value off your list because you worry others might find it boring. Your list won’t be authentic if you self-censor your values.
• Rush the process —Writing an effective personal values statement takes a lot of time and introspection. Trying to whip it out during your lunch break is a sure way to fail.
• Include a negative —Don’t include any value that others might interpret as a negative, even if you think you can put a positive spin on it.

“ … your personal core values are there to guide behavior and choice. Get them right and you’ll be swift and focused in your decision-making, with clear direction. Get them wrong or leave them ambiguous, and you’ll constantly wonder how you got into this mess. ”—Kevin Daum

Personal value statement example

Here’s an example of a personal values statement by Ronald Huereca .

Creative/Innovative : Being creative/innovative is thinking outside the box on a lot of issues. It’s challenging authority and figuring out why things are done a certain way. It’s being proactive about fixing problems and finding solutions.

Intelligence : Intelligence is willing to learn and continue learning new things each and every day. It’s not afraid to ask questions and figure out the “in the mud” details.

Loyalty : Loyalty is staying on the ship no matter how violent the storm. When one is loyal, the person never leaves and never questions the integrity of his higher up.

Open Minded/Independent : Being open minded/independent is important in order to be objective to be a better decision maker. It’s realizing why one is making decisions and being able to see a broader picture.

Self Disciplined : Being self-disciplined is running in the 100-degree heat when nobody else is out there with you. It’s quitting the filthy habit that consumes you. It’s getting up for work when there is no one to hold you accountable. It’s being true to the God you will never see in this lifetime.

Self Aware : Being able to analyze one’s decisions and beliefs. It’s knowing why you made the decision and why you believe what you believe.

How to use your personal values

Now that you’ve created a powerful personal values statement, it’s time to put it to work. 

Promote your personal brand

It’s a good idea to add your personal values statement to the “About Me” section of your personal website or your LinkedIn profile . If you have a career portfolio , you can add it there too. This way, you can show potential employers and those looking to network with you what principles guide you.

Make career decisions

However, a personal values statement is most useful when you use it as a benchmark for making important career decisions. All you need to do is ask yourself “What would a person who values X do?”

Imagine you are offered a big promotion, but the new position requires relocating to another city. If you have school-age children and your family is your highest priority, then it will be easy to stay true to your values and turn down the promotion to avoid disrupting your kids’ lives.

“ When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier. ”—Roy E. Disney

Being sure of your values can also simplify the process of looking for a job. For example, if you value interaction, connection, and friendship, then you won’t search for any position that includes a lot of alone time. Conversely, if conversation, wealth, and adventure are what motivate you, then you will look for something like a sales job that involves a lot of travel.

To get a good idea of a potential employer’s values, you can ask probing questions like the following during interviews:

• “What’s it like to work here?” 
• “What’s the best/worst thing about working here?” 
• “How does the company recognize employees for their success?”
• “If you could change one thing about the company, what would it be?”
• “What kind of people tend to be most successful here?”
• “Does the company have any programs to give back to the community?”

Once you figure out what the company cares about most, you can decide if these values align with your own.

Write other professional documents

A personal values statement can also serve as the basis for creating a variety of other professional documents, including the following:

• Career goals statement
• Personal mission statement  
• Personal vision statement

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Crafting Your Personal Value Statement: Examples to Inspire Success

A personal value statement is a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal development. It is a concise declaration of the values that guide your actions, decisions, and behaviors.

What is a Personal Value Statement?

A personal value statement is a written statement that articulates your core values and beliefs. It serves as a compass, guiding you in making choices aligned with what truly matters to you. By identifying your values, you gain clarity about what is most important in your life and can align your actions accordingly.

Defining Personal Values

Personal values are the principles and standards that shape and define your character. They represent what you stand for and what you believe in. Personal values include integrity, honesty, respect, compassion, growth, and collaboration.

Exploring the Purpose and Benefits of a Personal Value Statement

A personal value statement helps you align your choices with your core values and create a life that is true to yourself. It provides a sense of direction, enhances decision-making, and fosters self-awareness. By living in alignment with your values, you experience greater fulfillment, satisfaction, and success.

Why Should You Create a Personal Value Statement?

Creating a personal value statement is essential for personal development and success. It allows you to define your guiding principles, set clear intentions, and make choices that align with your values. It ensures that your actions harmonize with your beliefs, leading to a more authentic and purposeful life.

Steps to Craft Your Personal Value Statement

• Reflect on Your Core Values: Identify your core values by considering what is truly important to you and what principles govern your life.
• Identify Your Goals and Aspirations: Determine your goals, dreams, and aspirations. Consider how your values can support and guide you in achieving these aspirations.
• Consider Your Strengths and Passions: Reflect on your strengths and passions. How can you align your values with your unique abilities and interests?
• Aligning Your Values with Your Life Choices: Evaluate your current choices and decisions. Assess whether they are in alignment with your values. Make adjustments as necessary to ensure consistency.

Examples of Personal Value Statements

• Prioritizing Growth and Learning: I commit to continuous personal and professional growth, embracing learning opportunities, and challenging myself to reach my full potential.
• Emphasizing Integrity and Ethics: I embody integrity and ethical behavior in all aspects of my life. I value honesty, transparency, and accountability treating others fairly and respectfully.
• Focusing on Collaboration and Teamwork: I believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork. I actively seek opportunities to work with others, valuing diversity and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Tips for Writing an Effective Personal Value Statement

• Be Clear and Concise: Use clear and straightforward language to keep your statement concise and easy to understand.
• Use Positive and Inspiring Language: Frame your values in a positive and uplifting manner, inspiring and motivating yourself and others.
• Make it Personal and Authentic: Write your statement in your voice, reflecting your unique personality and beliefs. Ensure it resonates with who you truly are.

How a Personal Value Statement Can Inspire Success

• Guiding Decision-Making and Prioritization: Your value statement helps you make decisions aligned with your core beliefs, ensuring your actions and choices harmonize with your values.
• Providing Motivation and a Sense of Purpose: By living according to your values, you cultivate a sense of purpose and motivation as you pursue what truly matters to you.
• Building Authentic Relationships and Connections: Your personal value statement attracts like-minded individuals and fosters authentic relationships based on shared values and principles.

Understanding the Importance of a Personal Value Statement

Recognizing the significance of a personal value or mission statement is crucial for personal and professional success. It offers clarity by identifying core beliefs and guiding principles, acting as a compass for decision-making and actions. Articulating our values enhances self-awareness, allowing us to align choices with our values and leading to fulfillment.

A personal value statement fosters authenticity and integrity, earning the trust and respect of others. Regularly reviewing it ensures it reflects our authentic selves, empowering purposeful living.

A personal value statement concisely expresses an individual’s core beliefs and principles, guiding their behavior and decisions, serving as a moral compass for living purposefully, and reflecting on what matters most. It provides clarity and direction, helping individuals prioritize actions aligned with their values for a life of intention and integrity. Personal value statements are unique and subject to evolution. Common values include integrity, compassion, honesty, growth, and respect.

Notably, a survey from Harvard Business Review shows that employees aligned with their company’s values are more engaged and satisfied.

Personal values are core principles that direct our behavior and choices, reflecting our beliefs and priorities in life. Defining personal values is crucial for personal growth and success. To do so, start by reflecting on your beliefs and identifying principles like honesty, compassion, or integrity that shape your character and decisions. Consider how these values align with your goals, whether they support your career or personal ambitions. Recognize that personal values reflect your strengths and passions, enhancing a more fulfilling life.

By defining personal goals and aligning personal values, you can navigate life choices more authentically and successfully, leading to greater satisfaction and purposeful living.

Exploring the purpose and benefits of a personal value statement empowers individuals to align their actions with their core values, guiding decision-making and goal-setting. Crafting a personal value statement helps clarify priorities, enabling individuals to identify and emphasize their values fostering choices aligned with what truly matters. This statement acts as a constant reminder of these priorities, maintaining focus and motivation, even in challenging times, and promoting self-awareness.

It also serves as a self-promotion tool, effectively conveying values and unique qualities to potential employers or clients, facilitating authentic connections with like-minded individuals, and contributing to higher satisfaction and well-being when actions align with core values.

Creating a personal value statement is crucial for clarity, motivation, and authentic relationships. It defines your core beliefs, aiding decision-making alignment with values. It fosters motivation and focus, even in challenges. It attracts like-minded individuals, enhancing relationships.

In career matters, it strengthens your research and value proposition and assesses job fit. Overall, it guides a purposeful life.

• The first step in crafting your personal value statement is to reflect on your core values. Consider what virtues and beliefs are most important to you.
• Next, identify your goals and aspirations. Determine what you want to achieve in your personal and professional life.
• Consider your strengths and passions. Think about what activities and skills you excel at and what brings you joy.
• Align your values with your life choices. Ensure that your actions and decisions align with your core values.

Reflect on Your Core Values

• Take time for self-reflection: Set aside moments of solitude to reflect on your core values and contemplate your beliefs, principles, and what you hold dear.
• Identify your fundamental values: Consider the qualities and ideals that define who you are and what you stand for. Reflect on your core values and consider if they include honesty, compassion, resilience, creativity, or any other values that resonate with you.
• Consider your actions: Reflect on your core values and think about times when you felt most fulfilled, satisfied, or proud. What values were you honoring in those moments? What actions were aligned with your core beliefs?
• Examine your priorities: Reflect on your core values and consider where you allocate your time, energy, and resources. Does it align with your core values? Are there any areas that need adjustment?
• Seek feedback: Talk to trusted friends, family members, or mentors who know you well. They can provide insights into your values that you may not have considered.

Identify Your Goals and Aspirations

• Reflect on what you want to achieve in your personal and professional life.
• Consider your passions and what brings you joy and fulfillment.
• Identify your strengths and skills that align with your goals.
• Set specific and measurable short-term and long-term goals.
• Visualize your ideal future and create a plan for how to achieve it.

Consider Your Strengths and Passions

When crafting your personal value statement, it’s crucial to integrate your strengths and passions. Reflect on what truly matters and drives you. Highlight your unique qualities and the areas where you excel, whether leadership or creativity.

Aligning your statement with these aspects will showcase your expertise and enthusiasm and enhance your success, especially in job-related and career development matters.

Aligning Your Values with Your Life Choices

Aligning your values with your choices is essential for a purposeful and fulfilling life. This requires reflection to identify your core values and prioritize what truly resonates with you. It ensures your decisions align with your beliefs, fostering authenticity and fulfillment while allowing you to stay true to yourself.

This process ensures your life and mission remain meaningful as your values evolve.

Crafting a compelling personal value statement is vital to achieve success. In this section, discover expert tips to help you write an effective value statement. Find out how to convey clarity and conciseness, use positive and inspiring language, and infuse your statement with personal authenticity.

These tips will empower you to stand out, communicate your worth, and inspire others through your unique values. Get ready to craft a value statement that leaves a lasting impact!

Be Clear and Concise

When crafting your personal value statement, prioritize clarity and conciseness. Use powerful language to convey your values and aspirations without unnecessary details. A clear and concise personal mission statement also ensures that your audience, whether employers or colleagues, can quickly grasp your fundamental principles and values. Avoid lengthy explanations while still conveying depth and substance through strong action verbs and quantitative descriptors.

Use Positive and Inspiring Language

When crafting your personal value statement, use positive and inspiring language to create a strong impression on potential employers, colleagues, or clients. Incorporate action verbs to showcase your proactive approach, use descriptive language to highlight your qualities, and evoke trust with words emphasizing your ability to connect with others. Express your vision statement and passion for your work concisely to ensure clarity.

For example, a marketing strategist successfully used uplifting language to secure job interviews and enhance their LinkedIn profile, ultimately landing a job where they could make a significant impact.

Make it Personal and Authentic

To create a personal and authentic value statement, reflect on your life experiences and how they’ve shaped your values. Be genuine and express your true beliefs, avoiding the temptation to cater mission statements to others’ expectations. Share personal anecdotes to illustrate your values and make your statement relatable. Write in your voice, using language that feels natural to you, ensuring authenticity.

Guiding Decision-making and Prioritization

• Identify your core values: Take the time to reflect on your values important to you in life and work.
• Evaluate your options: When faced with decisions, use your personal value statement as a guide to assess which choices align with your values.
• Rank your priorities: Prioritize your tasks and goals based on how well they align with your core values. This lets you focus your time and energy on what matters most.
• Stay true to your values: Use your personal value statement as a reminder and compass when faced with challenges or temptations that may go against your values.
• Review and adapt: Regularly review and update your personal value statement as your priorities and goals evolve.

Providing Motivation and a Sense of Purpose

A personal value statement is a guiding principle aligned with core beliefs, offering motivation and clarity in various life areas, including career decisions. It helps define goals, inspires in challenging times, and enhances job fit by aligning values with organizations. It’s valuable in resumes, cover letters, interviews, and networking to convey an understanding of personal values and attract like-minded connections. The statement should prioritize concise, positive, and inspiring language while staying authentic.

A personal value statement empowers individuals to make meaningful life choices, pursue goals, and find purpose.

Building Authentic Relationships and Connections

Building authentic relationships and connections is essential for personal and professional success. These connections are rooted in trust, respect, and effective communication, offering partnerships, mentorships, and collaboration opportunities. To cultivate genuine relationships, active listening, sincere engagement, and understanding others’ perspectives are key. Networking events and platforms like LinkedIn provide avenues to connect with like-minded individuals, where professionalism and value articulation are important.

Maintaining these connections through consistent effort, support, and selflessness fosters a strong network based on shared interests and values, benefiting both p

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What Are Your Personal Values?

• Jennifer Nash

Three exercises to help you get to know yourself better.

Learning about what matters to you is key to the decisions you make in your life. Author Jennifer Nash shares how she re-discovered her values during a workshop.

• As a successful career professional and a new entrepreneur, Jennifer thought she was content with her life until she realized all that she had sacrificed to get there — friendships, finances, and family.
• Through the workshop, she learned that being vulnerable and open to change helped her deal with uncertainty better.
• She shares three activities that helped her learn more about herself — a life-wheel concept, a journey map, and reframing your thinking.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

Early this year, I attended a three-week long workshop to help me improve my productivity and wellbeing. Walking into my first session, everything seemed normal. I met 19 other people from across the globe, we introduced ourselves, and then, we were asked to complete a self-reflection exercise. We were each handed a sheet of paper with a circle printed at its center. The circle was divided into eight equal segments: Career. Romance. Health. Family. Relationships. Spirituality. Fun. Finances.

• Jennifer Nash , PhD is an executive coach to senior leaders at Fortune 50 organizations, including Google, Exxon Mobil, JP Morgan, Boeing, and Verizon. A former executive at Deloitte Consulting, she is the CEO of Jennifer Nash Coaching & Consulting, helping successful leaders and organizations elevate performance. You can download her Success Toolkit here.

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7 Steps to Discover Your Personal Values

OVERVIEW: This guide provides detailed step-by-step instructions on how to discover your personal values and use them in meaningful ways.

______________

As a coach for over 25 years, I appreciate the power of values.

I noticed that individuals experience greater fulfillment when they live by their values.

When we don’t honor our values, our mental, emotional, and physical state suffers.

What follows is a self-coaching tool to help you discover your personal values.

Let’s jump in …

What Are Personal Values?

In his paper “Universals in the Content and Structure of Values,” psychologist Shalom H. Schwartz outlines five features of values derived from Milton Rokeach’s original definition. 1 Milton Rokeach, Beliefs, attitudes and values: A theory of organization and change, 1968.

Values are: 2 Schwartz, S. H. (1992). Universals in the Content and Structure of Values: Theoretical Advances and Empirical Tests in 20 Countries. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 25, 1-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(08)60281-6

• Concepts or beliefs,
• Pertain to desirable end states or behaviors,
• Transcend specific situations,
• Guide the selection or evaluation of behavior and events, and
• Are ordered by relative importance.

Schwartz also pointed out that another primary function of a value is the type of goal or motivation it expresses. From his perspective, values are an expression of our basic human needs .

Why Personal Values Are Important

Values are a part of us. They highlight what we stand for . They can represent our ideals and unique, individual essence.

Values guide our behavior, providing us with a personal code of conduct.

When we honor our personal values consistently, we experience fulfillment.

When we don’t, we are more likely to escape into bad habits and regressive patterns of behavior.

How Knowing Your Values Changes Your Behavior

I still remember going through my first values discovery process when I was 22.

I was attending an intensive 4-day seminar devoted to learning about what motivates people. Personal values were a central theme of the event.

One value that rose to the top of my list was  health . Physical health, energy, and vitality were, and still are, important to me.

I spent much of my childhood with various illnesses, and I saw how it affected my development and life experiences in deleterious ways.

I committed to cultivating a strong foundation for my physical health and well-being in adulthood.

Clarifying this value as a top priority shifted many things in my young life. It influenced what I ate and drank. I changed many behaviors and established new habits related to my value of health.

An Example: Personal Values Change Behavior

When you value health, for example, you’re less likely to wrestle with impulse control.

If you know a particular food isn’t supportive of your body, you’ll form an aversion toward eating it.

I made a practice of paying attention to how different foods made me feel after I ate them.

If something made me sleepy or drained my energy, I took note.

I sought to create a way of being that supported a healthy, energizing lifestyle.

In contrast, many people value comfort.

When people value comfort over growth, for example, they are less likely to apply effort toward growth. Breaking through resistance to growth is uncomfortable.

Consider what happens when people value comfort over their health. Eating to “feel better” will cause poor eating habits that undermine their health.

What Happens When We Don’t Know Our Values?

Most of us don’t know our values. We don’t consciously go through a process to clarify what’s most important to us.

In the absence of this clarity, there’s a subconscious “default” position provided by the collective.

So instead of living by our own ideals, we subconsciously shift our behavior and attitudes toward what society, culture, and media value. In today’s world, those values include:

• Material possessions
• Competition

With these values as the subconscious standard for human behavior, it naturally leads individuals in that society toward anxiety, depression, addictive behaviors, and a host of other mental illnesses.

As such, clarifying what’s important for each of us is a moral imperative if we want to take better control of the direction of our lives.

Personal Values Examples

In contrast to the default values we might observe in society, there are hundreds of other personal values we can choose from. For example, common personal values include:

Accomplishment

Accountability

Achievement

Adaptability

Assertiveness

Attentiveness

Awareness Balance

Cleanliness

Clarity Commitment

Common sense

Communication

Concentration

This is just a small sample of personal value examples available to us.

Here’s a list of over 220 core values.

7-Step Personal Values Assessment Exercise

Can you articulate your top 5 to 10 values that are most important to  you ?

Without undergoing a discovery process, it’s challenging to identify your personal core values.

It’s easy to speculate and idealize what you  should value. But knowing and accepting what you value takes effort.

While the following process is best done with a coach, you can do it independently if you apply self-honesty, patience, and determination.

In this assessment, we’re going to follow 7 steps to help you determine your personal values:

• Start with a beginner’s mind. (This is important!)
• Create your initial list of personal core values.
• Combine your personal values into related groups.
• Highlight the central theme of each value grouping.
• Determine your top personal values.
• Craft personal values statements.
• Test the ecology of each value.

Ready? Take out your journal, a notepad, or a note-taking app. And let’s get started.

STEP 1:  Start with a Beginner’s Mind

It’s too easy to presume that we know the answer at the start and to, therefore, never embark on a creative, personal discovery process.

Adopt a  Beginner’s Mind . Let go of all preconceived notions of how it’s “supposed to be.”

Our beliefs and conditioning often block our conscious minds from accessing inner truths that are right in front of us.

Take a deep breath and empty your mind. Remember that your conscious mind doesn’t have all the answers. Create a space for new insights and revelations to emerge from within yourself.

Getting in the right mental state is an essential first step for this discovery process.

(I also created a simple program called The Mastery Method: Activate Your Higher Potential to help individuals enter a state of heightened mental alertness, calm, and centeredness before doing this.)

STEP 2:  Create Your List of Personal Values

Arriving at a concise list of personal values can be a daunting task.

At this stage, don’t worry about the actual number of values. We’ll whittle your list down later in the process.

The key thing to remember is that values aren’t selected; they are discovered .

Our values reveal themselves to us.

That’s why I don’t suggest only scanning a core values list to choose your values.

Why not? If you work off a list, your conscious mind will select which values appear “better” than others. You won’t necessarily be selecting your personal core values.

That said, if you’re unfamiliar with values in general, you can scan a list of values to get a sense of your range of options.

To help you uncover your personal values, here are three exercises you can try on your own:

1) Peak Experiences

Consider a meaningful moment—a peak experience that stands out in your memory.

• What was happening to you?
• What was going on?
• What values were you honoring at this time?

2) Suppressed Values

Now, go in the opposite direction; consider a time when you got angry, frustrated, or upset.

• What were you feeling?

Now flip those feelings around. What value is being suppressed?

3) Code of Conduct

What’s most important in your life?

Including your basic human needs and what lies beyond them, what must  you have in your life to experience fulfillment?

Creative self-expression? A strong level of health and vitality? A sense of excitement and adventure? Surrounded by beauty? Always learning?

What are the personal values you must honor or a part of yourself withers?

STEP 3: Chunk Your Values into Related Groups

Combining all the answers from Step 2, you now have a master list of personal values. Maybe there are between 20 and 40 values on your list.

That’s too many to be actionable.

Your next step is to group these values under related themes.

Values like accountability, responsibility, and timeliness are all related.

Values like learning, growth, and development relate to each other.

Connection, belonging, and intimacy are related too. Group them.

STEP 4:  Highlight the Central Theme of Each Value Group

Let’s say you have a group of values that include:

• Transparency,
• Directness, and

Now, select a word that best represents this group.

For example, integrity might work as a central theme for the values listed above.

You can keep the other words in the group in parentheses to give your primary value more context. You’ll use these other words again in step 6.

For example:

Integrity (Honesty / Transparency / Candor / Directness / Truth)

Before you move on to Step 5, you might want to quickly scan this core values list to make sure you didn’t miss anything important to you.

STEP 5: Determine Your Top Personal Values

Now comes the hardest part. After completing step 4, you still may have a sizable list of values. Here are a few questions to help you whittle your list down:

• What values are  essential  to your life?
• What values represent your  primary way of being ?
• What values are essential to supporting your inner Self?

As a unique individual, you possess certain strengths and weaknesses. Your values matter most to  you .

How Many Personal Values Should You Have?

Too few and you won’t capture all the unique dimensions of your being. Too many and you’ll forget them or won’t take advantage of them.

While the number of personal values differs for each individual, the magic range seems to be between 5 and 10. (In my experience, the closer to 5, the better.)

Rank Your Personal Values

So now you want to rank them in the order of importance. This is often the most challenging part.

You may need to do this step in multiple sittings. After doing one round of ranking put it aside and “sleep on it.”

Revisit your ranking the next day and see how it sits with you. Then, go through the process again.

STEP 6: Craft Personal Values Statements

Now, we get creative.

Highlighting values in memorable phrases or sentences helps you articulate the meaning behind each value.

It allows you to make the value more emotional and memorable.

Here are a few tips and guidelines for crafting your values statements:

• Use inspiring words . Our brains are quick to delete or ignore the mundane and commonplace.
• Look for words that evoke and trigger emotional responses.   They will be more meaningful and memorable.
• Play to your strengths  in crafting your values.
• Make   your value statements rich and meaningful  so they inspire you to uphold them.

You could use other words from the groupings you made in step 3 in your description.

For example, let’s say you’ve identified a personal value of health to represent other values, like energy and vitality.

Your values statement might be:

“ Health: to live with full vitality and energy every day.”

STEP 7: Give Each Value a “Gut Check”

Once you’ve completed your list of personal values, walk away from them and revisit them the next day after a good night’s sleep.

Review your list:

• How do they make you feel?
• Do you feel they are consistent with who you are?
• Are they personal to you?
• Do you see any values that feel inconsistent with your identity (as if they belong to someone else, like an authority figure or society) and not you?
• Check your priority ranking. Do you feel like your values are in the proper order of importance?

Nothing is final. Make any tweaks and changes as necessary.

Are You Living Your Personal Core Values?

Now you have a prioritized list of your top 5 to 10 values, let’s assess how well you’re living them right now.

From a centered state , assess how well you’re honoring each value by scoring each one on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 represents optimally living the value.

What’s your level of satisfaction with each value?

Record your score for each. If it helps, you can set up a spreadsheet to capture your evaluation.

Date the top of the column. Repeat this exercise once a month or quarter to assess your progress.

Create a Values-Based Action Plan

If you score below 7 in a particular value:

• What changes do you need to make?
• What has to happen for you to further honor this value?

Here’s where self-coaching comes into play:

• Define your goals.
• Create a plan.
• Actualize it.

Check in with your personal values again a few weeks later. Notice if you feel a difference in your level of fulfillment in life.

How to Use Your Personal Values to Make Decisions

Knowing your personal values and their order of priority helps make difficult decisions.

Start by scoring your values as described above. Then, imagine your life several months or years from now having decided.

For example, how will starting your new side hustle change your life in the future?

Step into this future picture as much as you can. Let it come alive in your mind’s eye.

Now, score your personal values while keeping the vision alive in your mind.

• Does making this decision elevate your values score?
• Does it cause friction with one or more of your higher values?

This process can help bring a new level of clarity to your decision-making process.

Need More Guidance?

The above value experience is fairly self-contained. but if you’re interested, I do offer a complete, online course on how to discover your values.

It’s a hands-on, video-based program that guides you through the discovery process.

The program also shows you, step-by-step, how to tie your values to specific behaviors to help you begin to live your values more fully each day.

Learn more about this course here.

A Complete Master List of Virtues

How to Use the Hero’s Journey for Self-Development

How to Make Positive Changes in Your Behavior: A Definitive Guide

What Do You Think?

What are your experiences using this 7-step process? Has it helped you discover your personal values?

Leave your comments, questions, and experiences below:

About the Author

Scott Jeffrey is the founder of CEOsage, a self-leadership resource publishing in-depth guides read by millions of self-actualizing individuals. He writes about self-development, practical psychology, Eastern philosophy, and integrated practices. For 25 years, Scott was a business coach to high-performing entrepreneurs, CEOs, and best-selling authors. He's the author of four books including Creativity Revealed .

Learn more >

I love this! :)

Best post I have found for this topic. Very helpful.

Thank you, Eric.

About two years ago I came across this exercise and embarked on the journey to discovery. The result of this exercise has been the most empowering tools in both my personal and professional life.

Below you can read briefly what discovery of my “center point” has meant and I just wanted to thank you for offering the invitation through your exercise. I have introduced to many.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/centerpoint-jason-niehaus

That’s great to hear, Jason.

Thank you for a great resource! I have been meaning to determine my life values for ages, but I wasn’t sure how to do so. This is thorough, easy to do, even fun. Again, Thanks!

That’s great to hear, David. Glad you’re finding the process valuable. Thanks for the comments.

Excellent , would be glad to know the tools to assess the aspirations of human being.

Hi Tarun, I’m not certain what you mean by “tools to assess the aspirations of human beings”

Do you mean how to find your passion?

I’ll be honest. Lately, I have come across numerous articles that would go into “you need a vision statement” blah blah blah but none had an actual structure. I am glad I managed to read into something like this.

Glad you found it useful, Jamaal.

I have a guide on vision too: https://scottjeffrey.com/personal-vision-statement/

Thank you for taking the time to record this exercise. I was looking for something to help me clarify my values and then to implement change. (action) I am working on aligning my personal values with my behaviors, and the first step is clarifying what those specific values are and then clarifying what my driving core values are. This was perfect and helped me do exactly what I needed to do. I just wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for making this site!!!

You’re most welcome, CK. Good to hear that this values discovery process worked for you. Thank you for the comments.

I really like this too! Thanks. I’m wondering about certain values that I am naturally and ones i feel i need to be but am not so much. Ex: discipline – I’m not lazy but i tend to avoid certain types of work, so I feel i should value discipline or It’s really what i’m missing to excel. I do value it and recognize the importance. I wonder if listing it as a core value would help me to strive or if it’s not be real with myself.

Hi Patrick. In the case of your example of discipline, your decision would come down to your selection process. Discipline may be important for you, but not the “most important” value for you based on your other top selections.

So you would evaluate your final decision based on the context of your other top values and the final number of values you are selecting for your list (3 to 7, usually).

I’ve discovered my 8 values and top 3 of them using this guide. I thank you a lot for this. Now what do I do with these values, what kind of action do I turn them into ? thanks :)

Hi Ug. The next step is to integrate your values with specific behaviors. I offer step-by-step instructions in this course:

https://scottjeffrey.com/values-workshop/

thank you so much for such a fast response :)

I really enjoyed reading this and it has made me think about my life and how I can improve myself and has helped me to realise what’s important to me.

That’s great to hear, Georgie. Going through the discovery process, step by step, will help you get even more clarity on what’s most important to you.

I teach values and this is a really excellent way to go I find people have their values tho’ not often having sorted them to bring them to the forefront and then many not incorporated lying dormant! I call ones that are ‘used’ ( as they are instilling them with energy,) ‘Living values’ including those they don’t like to admit like criticism !

Yes, Jan, this is something I cover in my Values Workshop. Knowing your values is one thing; integrating them into your daily behavior is something entirely different.

That’s one great and detailed article..Thanks!

You’re welcome, Noha. Thanks for the feedback.

I am always seeking ways to enrich clients with exploring core values and this information is great to share, and great for me to practice personally!

That’s wonderful to hear, Kathy. I’m glad you found the process enriching.

I am am greatful that I came across this information. I am a counselor that is seeking to develop more balance and overstating of myself and others.So this I will be sharing with my team.!!!Your Counselor Lorraine Arnett.

Enjoy the discovery process with your team!

Hi Great advice. I just tried this exercise. If one of your core values is Learning, which is mine. At the moment I give it a score of 8, because I am constantly reading, learning and seeking. I still don’t understand how I use it for a future decision. e.g. say in 1 year I I start a business or get married, how can I tell what my Learning score would be? Doesn’t it depend on so many things? thx

Yes, Steve, it would depend on how you define learning and what behavioral patterns you identify with this value. This topic, however, is beyond the scope of this guide. I address this more deeply in my Values Workshop (online course).

When I was 32 (1975), I did a self-assessment to determine what satisfied me in my profession, my avocation,and daily life. This process led me to a change in careers from Engineering to Technical Marketing, Sales, and Business, completing a extremely satisfying and productive 37 year career in 2006, and a continuous avocation as a freelance writer, editor, weekly columnist, author and public speaker. Now at 75, I’m curious to see how my core values have changed, if any, and can I suggest this course to my middle-aged children and college age grandchildren.

That’s wonderful to hear, Ken. You’ve provided a powerful testimony to the power of knowing your values!

Excellent post on values ! Do you have any guide related to use of subconscious mind, auto suggestion, dreamboard etc? Thanks !

This guide is the closest to the topics you mentioned:

https://scottjeffrey.com/inner-guide/

very nice guide for teachers thank you very much.

You’re welcome, Janet.

What do you do if you can’t come up with any? I’ve been wracking my brain about this but have not been able to think of any. I don’t really have any positive peak experiences; mostly what life has taught me is to prioritize my own personal safety above all else. But that’s not really a “value.”

Safety/security certainly is a common value.

But if you go through the process and you can’t come up with anything, you need to acknowledge the part of you that doesn’t know to clarify his values because then you would need to become accountable for them. When you meet resistance like this, that’s usually the reason why.

Thank you so much for the articles.

You’re welcome, Mai.

This is helpful and made me really think about who I am.

i love this

This was very helpful.

Great article

Just spent two great hours doing this exercise for our business and we feel like we had one of the most productive meetings. Thank you so much and God bless!!!

You’re welcome, Monica.

You are the Greate with all you wonderfull Articles! Thank you so much, Vlad Mentor

You’re welcome, Vlad. Glad to hear you’re finding the articles valuable for you.

Fantastic resource, I’ve just undergone this process and now have a better sense of direction in my life. Went through it with my psychologist who was blown away by the personal growth it has helped me attain. Thank you !

That’s great, Teigan. The next step is to integrate your values into your everyday behaviors.

You’re welcome, Siboleke.

Thank you this is incredible.

Sure thing, John.

Thanks a lot Scott I think this is very helpful Ive been through difficult times and I am doing an analysis of my values. I am working on it, I will let you know about it…

You’re welcome, Jose. Best wishes to you.

Very helpful post, insightful and guiding.

That’s great to hear, Tess.

Great steps towards self discovery and success

A beautiful write-up. It has illuminated my mind on the importance of personal core values.

That’s terrific, Okonkwo. Enjoy!

Excellent post! I’m so happy to found this. It has helped me to put everything in perspective and make the necessary and urgent tweaks and changes I have to do to balance and enjoy more my life. I appreciated this a lot!! Thank you.

You’re welcome! Great to hear.

This clear and simple. Am grateful, I anticipate very significant change

You’re welcome, Kalu.

Very insightful article. I’m a coach and this adds a lot to my coaching in value mining sessions. Many thanks.

Sure thing, Sedef. It’s a vital process for coaches.

I shared this with a class I facilitate, and one participant suggested it was missing a vital value: humor. So she added it, of course, and I thought I’d share that feedback. The categories list of values has been a wonderful resource.

She’s correct! Thanks for the feedback, Carole. It has been added to the list:

https://scottjeffrey.com/core-values-list/

Funny, I went for a walk near completion, to reset, and thought of humor. Then promptly forgot it until I saw Carole’s Feb 8 2020 comment! Added it to my list.

Amazing! Insightful. Useful. Helpful. Great read. Thanks!

You’re welcome, Julie!

now I have found something I was denying I wanted to do….be the CEO of my life and business and help others do the same!

Good to hear that you discovered a hidden drive that existed within you, Shariwa.

Well-detailed article. Helped a lot. Thank you.

You’re welcome, Ronak. Thanks for your comments.

Strumento di analisi molto, molto utile. Grazie

I struggled to find core values, to be honest i had trouble working out what the values actually meant and where to use them,now i have sort of found them i have no idea how to use them to find work,business or everyday life.so frustrating

Dave, you might look into my Values Workshop course. It guides you through the process of integrating your values with specific daily behavior.

Thanks scott greatstuff ,will do cheers

You’re welcome, Alex.

Hey man! I found this exercise so difficult! I wrote down a lot of stories from the past, from which I listed many values. When it came time to group similar values under one overarching name for the group, I wanted to give up because I had written so many values and I was struggling to group them and come up with a name for the group. My mind started telling it was a “pointless” and “ridiculous” exercise and I felt a massive urge to just write this exercise off and go do something else. But I know my mind well enough to know when I’m getting in my own way, so I took a breather and then came back to the exercise full throttle. I knew if I were to do this, I would have to do it properly, with no mercy (lol)…

I powered on through and grouped my values. I found 8 values which were essential, and ranked them as best I could. Got some sleep and then over the coming days I took each value and started to expand upon and strengthen my understanding of the value by finding a quote related to it through a Google search. The quotes really provided a lot of depth and inspiration for me to elaborate on the value in a paragraph or two. At this point I was actually feeling like I really wanted to keep going as I knew I was going to get a lot out of it (having broken through the wall of doom earlier when I thought the exercise was pointless). There was an emotional charge underlying my writing; I knew I was on the right track when it genuinely felt like what I was writing was real and true and flowed from within like a fresh river straight from The Source (whatever the hell that is.)

Having elaborated on all the values, I asked the questions to find out if they were really essential/congruent with me and re-ranked them a bit accordingly. Added an extra value and modified a couple more. Even before I did the table at the end to rank how I was aligning myself with each value, I started to recognise in my day to day life how my activities made me feel good or bad in accordance with how aligned I was with my values – If I’m lazing about, I feel bad because I’m not in alignment with growth or learning. If I’ve been somehow drawn into scrolling through Facebook (which happens rarely these days but it still happens) I become aware that I’m feeling a sense of anxiety or pain or need for a better life, because I see everyone’s “amazing” photos – it reminds me that I’m conflicting with my value of PRESENCE and CALM. When I play video games without having exercised or done any work I start to feel restless because I’m conflicting with my values of HEALTH and WELLBEING and GROWTH and INTELLIGENCE/LEARNING all at once… But at the same time if I focus only on those – health and wellbeing and growth and intelligence – I start to feel soul-less because I am foregoing my value of ART and CREATION – something which video games, movies and TV shows have often provided me… Really, this exercise has made me see things differently. It’s like… of course you feel bad if you’re not in alignment with your values. Duh.

But doing the exercise was NOT easy for me, as I said. My brain and mind just wanted me to stop, wanted to keep this hidden from me. I am glad I pushed through.

Obviously I’m going to take what I wrote and understood with a pinch of salt though. Reading about Schwartz’ basic values, it’s not uncommon for values to change as you age and go through major life events. I expect my values to change, but I don’t expect my emotional response to being out of alignment with my values to change.

One last thing; to “know” your values is to think you know them and there is nothing more to know. But I always try to remember that when one thinks they know something it can get in the way of finding out more, because you limit yourself by believing you already “know” – if you already “know” then there’s nothing more to find out. So I like to think of what I did here as having pointed me in the direction of knowing, and now I am wiser for it, with more wisdom to come.

Thanks for making this exercise Scott, I hope everyone got as much out of it as I did, and to be honest I think the difficulty of it for me was in proportion to the benefit.

Cheers, Lewis.

Sounds like you powered through it! Self-discovery processes like these get easier when you’re more rooted in your body. We often get stuck in our minds, which can create a labyrinth of indecision and confusion.

The point of “knowing your values” is to give you a guidepost for your behavior and for making decisions. It’s not to codify them or etch them in stone. Values certainly can change in the course of our development.

Once we understand that, values can become a useful tool in our development — until we reach the point where our True Self takes over the driver’s seat.

I found this very helpful. Especially the Value Ranking chart. Thank you!

You’re most welcome!

Hi this has been a good read and an excellent bringing together of a number of proven techniques. Have you used this methodology for a corporate and how did it work? Would you follow the same process for developing a set of life principles or would you change the detail of the process?

The process is different for businesses: https://scottjeffrey.com/company-core-values/

Very interesting! thanks. I think that everybody should read this book. It’s really helpfully

Glad to hear you found the guide helpful.

Thanks so much for publishing this post, it’s really helpful – I’ve just started working through it :)

Wondering if you can help on this:

STEP 2 1) PEAK EXPERIENCES I found it difficult to understand the difference between the first two questions when I got to answering them. Would you be willing to provide an example experience + example answers to these two?

It’s best to avoid getting hung up on any single question when you’re doing processes like these. When you get hung up, it generally because you start “analyzing” things, which hinders the discovery.

Just keep moving forward with the process with the answers you have.

Hi Scott, Great article. The list of 220 values is very helpful. Had a couple of queries a) Could it be that those who don’t have a well-defined goal in life – are content with enjoying and making the best of life each day – would have difficulty in narrowing down the top 10? Since each value, when it presents itself, would feel ‘should have / ought to’ to them? b) How do Goal / Values interact with each other? Do our Values lead to deciding on appropriate Goals or vice versa? c) Why is ‘Comfort’ looked down upon, and ‘Are you stretching yourself’ seen as positive? Isn’t it a societal mindset / outward expectation for someone who values comfort. Comfort can be both physical and mental – Stephen King writes a horror novel every year for the last 50 odd years. Would it be wise to look down on him and say – he is not stretching himself – to write in other genre / or conducting Writing workshops? d) What do you think drives Roger Federer / Ronaldo to continue to play at the top, even after so many years? Is it just Values, or something else as well? What will you name that something else? Thanks..

Thank you so much for having this available online. I was battling with what is my purpose in God’s purpose. I then had to know what values and skills I had. It devastated me to realize that out of all the people I’ve coached, I myself didn’t know my personal values. You have helped me to access myself and the values that I hold within. It was super hard visiting myself, but I am on a new journey, and I thank you.

Sure thing. This is quite common, Vicki. I used to fall into this trap often as well.

“Those who don’t know, teach.”

Anyone in a coaching role needs to remember that whatever you’re talking to your clients about is likely just as relevant to you. The Coach is an archetype, not a person. It’s sometimes difficult to make this distinction.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has always stuck with me…find this subject so interesting.

great process

Really helpful guide for putting values down on paper and simplifying them. Thank you!

You’re welcome, Brendan.

First, Being a SRCovey fan, I can see his handprints on this. You are wise to follow him. Second, the process you have outlined are simple, but require a willingness to engage in self-reflection…not always easy. Third, the real value will of the steps will come with application. Stay tuned. Once I’ve taken them for a spin around the block i’ll check back in.

Although I did read Covey’s book several decades ago and I listed it at the end of this guide, it wouldn’t be accurate to say that it influenced the process I outlined above in any way.

Enjoy the process.

Excellent!!!

This is a really detailed topic on discovering personal values. As I searched for the core values list, I came across this line of thought in your post: “core values are not chosen from a list, they are discovered, because they are a part of us.” I am a newcomer to the field of personal values, and I hope to advance, learning from this site. Thank you.

Utterly brilliant and insightful. Thank you.

Thank you, Geeta.

this article was very helpful for me. thank you.

Sure thing, Atieh.

I just want to thank you for yor work Scott. It wil be very helpful for me.

You’re most welcome, Gabriela.

Can you give an example of Suppressed Values?

Let’s say your lie all the time.

Sometimes you’re aware that you’re lying to others and yourself; other times, you aren’t conscious of it.

You never thought much about it, but when you place more attention on what’s going on, you notice that you feel crappy every time you lie, as if it’s sapping your life force.

In this illustration, truth or honesty might be something that you highly value, but you have been suppressing these values.

(And these values get suppressed so that our conscious mind/ego can go on lying without having to face our conscience.)

This was a very useful way to break this down. I like how you set this up to feel easily digestible, then started getting in a little deeper and breaking it apart into smaller and smaller pieces to make the brain storming process feel more attainable. At that point, having so many helped me feel like I wasn’t grasping for straws like I was before, so narrowing down was simple. Testing our thoughts is where this really helped out in the end though. I appreciate you posting this for us to use!

Glad to hear that this core values process worked for you, Timothy. Thanks for the comments.

Very valuable

Very well written. Unfortunately it just highlights what a shallow person I am! My top 5 come up as wealth, fun, youthfulness, celebrity, and kindness. At least I’ve got kindness in there so as not be a COMPLETE tool! Lol.

Sounds like you might need to add “honesty” to your list, Jon!

Incredible content of self-development or self-discovery. I was searching self-mastery but I found this website. Thank you for sharing this.

You’re welcome, Deep. And if you’re interested in the topic of self-mastery, you’ll find loads of resources on this website.

I feel a little dumb, but I’ve had this tab open on my browser for months now. I’ve read it over and over again. This paragraph sounds like it’s describing me: “Many people value comfort. When people value comfort over growth, they are less likely to apply effort to grow. Breaking through resistance to growth isn’t uncomfortable.” But, not matter how many times I read it, I get confused and think… “Doesn’t he mean ‘breaking through resistance to growth *IS* uncomfortable?’ I don’t know why I have spent so much time obsessed with this, but decided I had to ask.

Yes, Blair, you’re correct. That was a typo. (Now fixed.) Thank you for point it out and asking the question.

Absolutely, awesome. Yearn to know more. Appreciate!

Thanks for this guide which is really helpfull for introspection and which can deeply help in decision making !

You’re welcome, Maëlle.

Thanks Scott to show this material on the net.

Sure thing, Andreia.

Hi Scott, thanks so much for this really excellent and practical resource. It has been so liberating for me to formulate my own, personal core values and consciously decide to live by them. I found out, through painful experience, the truth of your remark that we wither if we don’t honour these personal values. I can tell from your text that you know in a deep and direct way what values really are.

Thank you for the feedback, Johan. Great to hear that you found this process liberating!

You’re welcome, Amy.

Hi Scott, I have used a lot of your resources over the last 4-5 years especially as your advice excellently references Maslow’s work which I find particularly helpful as a framework to think within. This is the first time I have followed your values exercise. It is a vast improvement on one I have used in the past and it is a great tool in setting myself up for a meaningful and focussed 2021. Thank you! Now I am going to try to work on my overall personal development plan :)

That’s great to hear. Thank you for the feedback.

Enjoy the process of building your new personal development plan!

Super helpful!

Very helpful, the best explanation i had

Is there a way to read your blog post by post in chronological order? I’d like to read every post you have here.

My articles aren’t technically blogs (they are guides) and I don’t maintain a blogroll. Also, I wouldn’t recommend reading them in chronological order. It’s best to read them based on your internal tensions or what most interests you.

If you subscribe to my list, you’ll receive different guides every week or two.

Thanks for the reply. Your blog is a pretty cool guide for me right now.

My understanding is that a website that each individual article, opinion piece, essay, etc., sit on are the “posts,” while the website that houses those posts is the “blog.” But I’m splitting hairs of course and it doesn’t really matter what their called. :)

I just wanted to be able to get to the posts (or guides) an easier way without relying on the links in each post. Not only does it seem that I might be missing something (which is an issue in itself…FOMO—lol) but it can feel like going in circles when there isn’t a menu of some sort or a table of contents to browse titles.

Either way, I love your content. I found it via originally, searching for lists of values and then clicked the link on the exercise to ‘figure out’ my values.

I do agree with your statement however, “Values are not selected; we discover and reveal them.” That resonated so much I wrote it in my journal. :)

This was excellent. I went through the exercise up to ordering the values. I had an epiphany around some things. Very insightful and helpful. Thank you!

Glad to hear that you found the process helpful.

really inspiring….

Very useful not only to become a leader but also in life

Hi and thank you, this is an excellent resource. I have a question – can we have values which are negative? For example: I wish at all times to avoid dogmatic people; and I fear having contact with authoritarian bullies. I’m trying to turn these into +ve statements/values, but can’t! Thanks Paul

You wouldn’t want to frame a value on what you’re moving away from. This would put you in a mindset where you would attract what you don’t want.

So look at the opposite. Perhaps you value free-thinking, flexibility, autonomy, and/or freedom.

Evaluate in this manner and you’ll arrive at what you value.

Have learnt more on this

Very helpful.i loved it must get the book.

Very helpful and reading enjoyed it

Very interesting and true

This has inspired me to re-visit my value system which is a long time out of date. I plan to restart my creative juices flowing and this will surely help me get started. Thnkyou for such a clear and inspirational guide. Sincerely.

Values are on the topics I am touching on for my blog post. I hunted for the right article to link users to and this is it! Easy to follow and practical. Thank you Scott for your research on this and for the article!

Thank you for the comment, Shilpa. Glad to hear you found the process easy to follow and practical.

It helped for still needed a more comprehensive list of grouped core values

The best article on this topic! Thanks a lot Scott

Sure thing, Tony!

it has helpmes me discover my personal values

I wonder if people identify their real values or do they state what they think others want to hear. For example a lot of people may have a personal value of great individual financial wealth. For a lot of people, nothing is more important than money. This is true for other things as well. If you put down save the planet, or help humanity, but your actions are wealth, and when you think about it you really care more about wealth than you do about helping others, then would it not be true that your greatest core value would be increased financial wealth. Lying about it does one no good.

It all depends on how centered they are when they go through this discovery process.

Money is an extrinsic motivation that’s tied to basic needs (survival).

https://scottjeffrey.com/intrinsic-motivation-examples/

If you go through this process in earnestness, you find the values that move you closer to yourself. When money is your primary motivation, it tends to move you away from yourself.

Very helpful article

Interesting and worthy of many people’s attention and fresh eyes on a good path in life…

Life-changing article about discovering personal core value. Thank you for sharing, I need to take more time to digest it..

This is the most effective out of anything I’ve read online. I’m not just talking about with values, I mean out of every piece I’ve read on how to… it is the absolute MOST effective and easy to follow that I have ever read! Thank you so so much, I’m going to tell anyone I can about this!!!

I appreciate your feedback, Crystal. Great to hear that you’re finding the guides effective for you!

interesting read

Thank you. I think the most helpful part of this for me was being able to “assign” more context to each one of my values. That will help remind me the deeper connection and reason as to why I chose these values during this activity.

I meditated for 15 mins before starting this process and it has really helped in laying out my core values. Thank you for writing these guides, they are helping me a lot ❤

I am deeply concerned with giving misinformed individuals in companies a means of gaslighting the public, but more importabtly their employees who are robbed and coerced, especially for material gain. The fundamental aspects of reality which is covered up is not revealed therfore true growth can not be achieved.

Mind blowing! A great help to discover myself and others in my personal and family relationships when there is a mismatch of values

This is indeed a very good prescription for exploring and identifying core values of an individual

Excellent Contents.

I enjoyed reading, practicing, and discovering my values and core values through this exercise.

Thank you, Scott.

You’re welcome, Amanda.

Yes it has and I have downloaded the core values thank you

Very concise and attainable!

I have really enjoyed reading about these topics. It has given me more of a understanding about myself with core values , and values as a person.

Thank you for the feedback, Amanda

That was such an amazing exercise!!! 10/10 loved it.

Thank you for the positive feedback, Nia. Great to hear!

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How to Focus on Your Values in Your Personal Statement

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by CEG Essay Specialist Kaila Barber in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered: 

Identifying your own values, demonstrate your values with examples.

• Reflecting on Your Experiences

It’s important to keep in mind what your reader is hoping to learn from your personal statement. The statement is an opportunity to reflect on your experiences and demonstrate how you think about and relate to the world around you. Specifically, what are some of your values? What’s meaningful to you? What do you find important? 

Personal values can be things like communication, patience, nature, health, personal development, courage, self-love, authenticity, healthy boundaries, or even humor. Before you start drafting your personal statement, take a moment to reflect on the things that you find important and why. 

We’re all very different people coming from different backgrounds, and we have different experiences that impact our individual values. While some of your values will overlap with those of other people, your personal reflection on the values that resonate most with you will separate your statement from someone else’s. 

The best way to include your values, skills, and traits in your essay is to pair them with specific examples and anecdotes. Each anecdote should align with at least one of the values that you find most important and should be accompanied by your personal reflection on the value and its related experience. 

Here’s an example. A student does not have a parent or guardian around to shoulder the expenses of caring for them and their younger sibling. In their outline, the student says that they value autonomy, financial stability, and family. Throughout the essay, they demonstrate these values by talking about getting a part-time job to help support the family and caring for their sibling at home. They also excel academically and even petition to have an AP Physics II course offered at their school. 

The student has shown autonomy by taking the initiative to petition for the new course and by getting a job. They have also demonstrated that both financial stability and family are important to them by pitching in to support their parent and sibling.

Your examples should show your reader your values by being specific and personal to your background and experiences.

Reflecting on Your Experiences 

Reflecting on your values is an equally important part of the personal statement. Your reflections or insight should focus on not only your experiences but also who you are and who you want to become. The insight you include in your essay shows that you’ve really found meaning from your personal experiences.

Insight can take a few forms. A common way to show insight is by writing about a growth experience. Show how you went from point A in your life to point B, and share the lessons you’ve learned along the way. For example, people often reflect on how navigating a strenuous activity or challenge changed the way that they thought about themselves and what they could handle. Reflecting on that change in confidence is one way to demonstrate insight.

One of the clearest ways to explore insight is to self-reflect and write about how something has either connected you to, influenced, or reframed how you think of your own values. Maybe you once pushed yourself too hard, and that experience showed you the value of rest and mindfulness. Or perhaps a change in circumstances shifted or redefined your values to an extent. 

For example, a person might say that while they craved stability as a child because of their home life, they now see the value of risk-taking and adventure in enriching their own knowledge and experiences. In this example, both security and risk are important to the speaker, but their experiences ultimately shifted weight from one value to another.

Regardless of how you approach your personal statement, insight is the overarching meaning that you take away from the relevant experiences and values you’ve shared.

Are you looking for more guidance as you draft your personal statement? Check out this post on how to come up with a strong topic that wows your admissions reader!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

How to Write an Inspiring Value Statement (with Examples)

Learn what a value statement is and a how-to guide that inspires employees and connects with customers.

People often consider an organization’s values when looking for a new job or deciding where to spend their money. So writing an inspirational value statement that expresses your organization’s priorities can have a major impact on its success.

When done right, your statement can guide employees and appeal to your target audience to encourage new business, increase customer loyalty, and reduce turnover rates.

But it’s easy to get hung up on the little things when trying to craft the perfect statement. So how do you articulate a value statement that speaks to your business and resonates with others?

In this article, we’ll show you how to create an impactful value statement, go over the benefits of doing so, and provide examples for inspiration.

What is a value statement?

A value statement is the heart of your company. It shares your company’s principles and identity with the world.

But it’s more than just a collection of inspiring words — it’s a commitment to core practices that resonate with your employees and customers.

According to Insider Intelligence,  23% to 25%  of adults from around the world prioritize a brand’s values. A value statement gives employees a sense of purpose and connection to the company and helps customers understand and connect to your brand.

‎It’s a promise you make to your stakeholders. So your actions must mirror your list of values to avoid disappointment and loss of trust.

It’s also important to take a fresh look at your value statement every couple of years and align it with new developments in your company.

Mission vs. vision vs. value statement

While mission and vision statements are typically one to three sentences that summarize the company’s purpose and goals, a value statement is a bit different.

It’s a list of core beliefs that guide how the company operates and interacts with the world. A mission tells us the “what” and the “why.” A vision paints a picture of “where” the company is going, and a value statement outlines “how” a company plans to operate in its journey.

The benefits of a value statement

The benefits of a value statement can be seen throughout a business. A compelling value statement not only sets the tempo for your company but also forms the rhythm that connects your team and resonates with your customers.

For companies

A good value statement guides your company’s big decisions, shapes your company culture, and defines its identity in the market. Having a unified vision creates consistency, which, in turn, builds trust and loyalty and strengthens your reputation.

When customers, partners, and potential hires see that your actions match your company values, they’re more likely to trust you. This trust can lead to more business, stronger partnerships, and the retention of top talent.

For example, your company’s value statement might emphasize sustainability. In line with this, you prioritize and invest in eco-friendly initiatives and technologies. Your actions not only reduce the company’s carbon footprint but also draw in customers and partners who share a passion for environmental conservation.

For employees

A strong value statement can foster a sense of purpose and motivation, leading to enhanced productivity and job satisfaction. In fact,  70% of employees  link their sense of purpose to their work.

When employees find their personal values reflected in the company, this strengthens their connection to the job. They understand that their role extends beyond completing tasks — they’re contributing to a larger mission. This alignment leads to increased engagement, lower turnover, and a more harmonious, productive work environment.

Let’s say a company has a value statement that prioritizes trust. This company manifests its commitment by giving employees autonomy over their time and work schedules.

‎In response, employees feel valued and respected, which boosts their motivation and productivity.

For customers

Finally, value statements can be the deciding factor when customers are choosing between similar products or services.

Customers feel more confident in their purchasing decisions when they do business with a company that aligns with their values. They know who they are buying from. In some cases, for instance, when a business donates a percentage of its profits to a specific cause, their monetary contributions also support a cause that resonates with them.

Let’s say a company’s value statement stresses community engagement. In that case, customers who support this company are also indirectly contributing to their local community. This shared commitment deepens the customer’s connection to the brand, fostering loyalty and customer satisfaction.

How to write a strong value statement

Now that you know what a value statement is and its impact on the workplace, let’s discuss how to write a strong one.

1. Consider how your business impacts society

Your value statement should reflect how your business positively impacts the world and how your core principles help you achieve your larger mission.

Take time to consider what your organization stands for and how these beliefs help you fulfill your purpose. Are you innovating, raising industry standards, supporting local communities, or leading a green revolution? Identify your influence and articulate it.

2. Zero in on top priorities

Since your value statement is essentially a snapshot of your company’s ethos, focus on the key priorities you want to convey. For example, you might focus on sustainability, innovation, or diversity. But not all three.

While all of these might be laudable values, you don’t want to include everything under the sun in the value statement. Including too much takes away from the potency of the values that truly matter to your organization.

Keeping it concise and direct makes it digestible and memorable to everyone who reads it.

These aspirational values should be relevant and meaningful to both your employees and your customers. A good tip is to ask your team for their input and feedback, as this ensures your values resonate with them and fosters a sense of ownership.

3. Find a structure that works for you

Values statements aren’t bound by rigid templates. Some companies prefer a list of one-word core values followed by short explanations. Others use punchy phrases to convey value statements, while some opt for more detailed sentences.

Choose a structure that best represents your company and appeals to your customers. For a younger audience, consider using graphics or trendy buzzwords. If your clientele is more corporate, a straightforward, concise list might resonate better. The key is to find a format that speaks your brand’s language and connects with your audience.

4. Be authentic and transparent

A value statement that speaks the truth can help your company gain employees’ and customers’ trust. Being genuine and transparent helps you foster a deeper connection with your employees, motivating them to deliver their best and creating a relatable image for your customers.

‎Think of your value statement as a social contract that governs your relationships with your stakeholders. Authenticity invites connection. It makes your company more human — and, as a result, more attractive to potential customers and employees.

5. Let your voice shine through

Let your company’s distinctive traits lead the narrative. Consider the tonality, the rhythm of your words, and the emotions they invoke.

Can you add a pinch of humor? Stir up inspiration? Or is your brand more authoritative, radiating stability and reliability?

Don’t be afraid to try different approaches until you find one that truly encapsulates your company’s unique spirit.

6. Review it again

After your initial draft, give it a rest before revisiting it. This gap will give you time to think or gain a fresh perspective to strengthen your statement.

‎However, your value statement should always echo your current practices. So frequent revisions are necessary. Using  automated scheduling tools  like Motion can make this process easier. You can set recurring reminders to revisit your statement, ensuring that it stays current and continues to accurately represent your brand.

Examples of effective value statements

Here are some examples of value statements from well-known brands to inspire you while you craft your own:

“Champion the mission”

“We’re united with our community to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere.”

“Be a host”

“We’re caring, open, and encouraging to everyone we work with.”

“Embrace the adventure”

“We’re driven by curiosity, optimism, and the belief that every person can grow.”

“Be a ‘cereal’ entrepreneur”

“We’re determined and creative in transforming our bold ambitions into reality.”

2.  Patagonia

“ Build the best product ,  provide the best service and constantly improve everything we do.  The best product is useful, versatile, long-lasting, repairable and recyclable. Our ideal is to make products that give back to the Earth as much as they take.”

“ Examine our practices openly and honestly,   learn from our mistakes and meet our commitments.  We value integrity in both senses: that our actions match our words (we walk the talk), and that all of our work contributes to a functional whole (our sum is greater than our parts).”

Environmentalism

“ Protect our home planet.  We’re all part of nature, and every decision we make is in the context of the environmental crisis challenging humanity. We work to reduce our impact, share solutions and embrace regenerative practices. We partner with grassroots organizations and frontline communities to restore lands, air and waters to a state of health; to arrest our addiction to fossil fuels; and to address the deep connections between environmental destruction and social justice.”

“ Be just,   equitable and antiracist as a company and in our community.  We embrace the work necessary to create equity for historically marginalized people and reorder the priorities of an economic system that values short-term expansion over human well-being and thriving communities. We acknowledge painful histories, confront biases, change our policies and hold each other accountable. We aspire to be a company where people from all backgrounds, identities and experiences have the power to contribute and lead.”

Not bound by convention

“ Do it our way.  Our success — and much of the fun — lies in developing new ways to do things.”

3.  Discover

D oing the right thing

I nnovation

S implicity

C ollaboration

V olunteerism

E nthusiasm

Seal your company values in words

Writing a standout value statement is a bold declaration of your brand’s identity. It’s your opportunity to charm your audience, speak your truth, and light the way for your team.

A value statement is not just about writing pretty words but also capturing the essence of what makes your brand, well, yours. An honest and compelling value statement can be the magnet that pulls in your audience and the compass that guides your team.

So, make your value statement count. Make it authentic. Make it uniquely you.

Once you have a rock-solid value statement, it’s time to put all those lofty goals into action. Motion can help you stay organized and focused on what matters.  Try it  today.

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209+ Personal Values A-Z (Definition + Examples)

Imagine a compass that guides our thoughts, decisions, and actions; that's what personal values are like for each one of us.

Personal values are deep-seated beliefs and principles that influence our choices, shape our behaviors, and provide a framework for understanding our place in the world. Whether we're aware of them or not, our values play a vital role in determining the course of our lives.

From shaping our personal relationships to guiding our professional aspirations, they act as invisible threads weaving the tapestry of our experiences.

In this article, we'll delve deep into the realm of personal values, exploring their psychological underpinnings, the difference between collective and individual values, and even debates surrounding their nature.

Plus, we'll provide a comprehensive list of personal values examples for those curious about identifying and reflecting on their own core beliefs.

The Psychology of Values

When psychologists talk about values, they mean the things that are super important to us—kind of like our invisible rulebook.

Let's say you really care about honesty; that means you're more likely to tell the truth, even when it's hard. So, in psychology, a value isn't just some idea; it's like a guiding star that helps us make choices in our lives.

These values could be things like love, respect, or courage. Each of these shapes the way we act, what we say, and even what we think about in our free time.

But values aren't just single words or simple ideas; they're more complex.

For example, if you value "family," that might mean you spend a lot of time with your relatives, or it might mean you're working hard to give them a better life.

Each person's value has its unique flavor, like ice cream! You and your friend might both love ice cream, but you might like chocolate, and they might prefer vanilla. It's the same with values. We might share similar values but interpret them in our own special way.

Why Values Matter

You might be wondering, "Why should I even care about values?" Well, values are like the GPS in our brain that helps us make decisions. Think about when you have to choose between doing your homework and hanging out with friends. Your values guide you in making that choice.

If you value education, you'll likely choose to do your homework. If you value social connections more, you might opt to spend time with your friends.

Values also shape our emotions and how we react to things. Imagine someone lies to you. How you feel about that—angry, hurt, or maybe forgiving—is influenced by your values. If you value honesty highly, you might get really upset. On the other hand, if you value forgiveness, you might be more understanding.

Even more, our values affect how we treat other people. If you value kindness, you're more likely to help someone in need without expecting anything in return. So, values are super powerful; they influence not just our actions but our feelings and the way we treat others, which is pretty awesome when you think about it!

Knowing what values we hold is important for mental health too. On the flip side, an interesting study recently showed that individuals with mental health disorders tend to value tradition, conformity, and security more than people without a disorder. Identifying and living by our values also helps people recover and manage their mental disorders.

The Formation of Values

Values aren't just something that appear out of nowhere; they grow and shape themselves over time like a tree. When you're little, your parents, or whoever takes care of you, plant the first seeds of these values. Maybe they teach you to say "please" and "thank you," which helps you learn the value of politeness.

As you get older, other things like school, friends, and experiences water this value tree, making it grow stronger or sometimes changing its shape. A teacher might inspire you to value learning, or a good friendship might teach you the importance of trust. Even the books you read or the shows you watch can make you think differently about what's important to you.

It's kind of like building a LEGO tower. Each LEGO block is an experience or lesson that adds to your values. And just like a LEGO tower, your value system can change if you decide to rearrange some blocks. That's why it's cool to keep learning and having new experiences; they can help you understand your values better.

Values and Mental Health

Believe it or not, knowing your values can even make you feel happier and less stressed. It's like having a map for a treasure hunt; when you know where you're going, it's a lot easier to get there. People who understand their values often have a clearer idea of what makes them happy, what kinds of jobs they might enjoy, or even what kind of friends they want to have.

Not knowing your values, or going against them, can make you feel lost or confused. Imagine trying to sail a boat without a compass; you might end up going in circles or getting stuck. That's why it's good to spend some time thinking about what really matters to you.

In fact, psychologists often help people explore their values when they're going through tough times. It helps people make better choices and even deal with problems like stress or sadness. So, understanding your values isn't just a neat idea; it's a tool that can help you navigate the ups and downs of life.

The Difference Between Values and Morals

You've probably heard the words "values" and "morals" used a lot, and sometimes, they're used almost like they mean the same thing. But guess what? Even though they're close cousins, they're not exactly twins. Let's take a closer look at how they're different and why it's important to know the difference.

What are Values?

You've already got the scoop on what values are—those guiding stars that help you make decisions in life. Remember, values can cover a lot of ground. They can be things like honesty, family, and even personal freedom. But the key thing is, values are your personal guidebook. They're what you think is important in life, and they help you decide how you act, think, and feel.

What are Morals?

Morals, on the other hand, are more like a community's rulebook about what's right and wrong . These are the dos and don'ts that help people live together without turning everything into a giant mess. For example, most people agree that stealing is wrong—that's a moral standard. Morals often come from bigger places like cultural beliefs, religious teachings, or even laws.

How are They Different?

Imagine you're in a ship. Your values are like your personal map, showing you where you want to go based on what's important to you. Morals are like the general sea rules that all ships should follow, like "don't crash into other boats."

Here's another way to look at it. Let's say you value honesty, so you always tell the truth. That's your personal choice based on your values. But morals come into play when you think about the larger rule that lying is generally considered wrong by most people in your community or culture. In this case, your personal value of honesty lines up nicely with the broader moral belief that lying is wrong.

The way that we develop morals and values is very similar. Piaget's Theory of Moral Development claims that three things influence our development: rules, moral responsibility, and justice. Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development claims that by the time we are 20 years old, our values and morals are pretty well established.

Why It Matters to Know the Difference

Understanding the difference between values and morals helps you navigate life more smoothly. Your values help you make personal choices that make you happy and proud of who you are. Knowing the morals of your community or culture helps you get along with others and be a good citizen.

Sometimes, your values and morals might bump heads. For instance, you might value individual freedom but live in a community where certain behaviors are considered morally wrong. Knowing the difference can help you make decisions that honor both your personal beliefs and the rules of the community you live in.

So, while values and morals are closely related, they're not the same thing. Your values are your personal guide, while morals are the broader rules set by your community. Both are super important and understanding how they work together can help you live a life that's both happy and harmonious.

Individual vs. Collective Values

When it comes to values, it's not just a "me, myself, and I" thing. While each of us has our own set of personal values that guide our choices, we're also part of bigger groups—like families, schools, and countries—that have their own sets of values. These bigger sets of values are called "collective values." So, what's the difference between individual and collective values, and how do they work together? Let's dive in and find out!

What are Individual Values?

Think of individual values as your personal playlist of favorite songs. This playlist includes the tunes—or values—that resonate with you the most. These are the things that make your heart beat faster and guide your actions. It could be stuff like courage, friendship, or creativity. For example, if you value hard work, you might be the kind of person who always gives 100% in everything you do, whether it's a school project or a weekend hobby.

Your individual values are super personal. They're shaped by your experiences, the people you hang out with, and what you believe deep down is important. Just like you wouldn't want anyone messing with your favorite playlist, your individual values are yours and yours alone.

What are Collective Values?

Collective values, on the other hand, are like the top charts of music that a lot of people love. These are values that a group of people agree are important, whether that group is your family, your school, or even your whole country. For instance, many schools value respect and teamwork, which is why they teach you to respect your teachers and work well in groups.

But collective values aren't just about rules or being polite. They help create a sense of belonging and unity. Imagine a big family dinner where everyone values spending quality time together. Those shared values make the meal special and help everyone feel like they're part of something bigger.

The Difference

Here's the big difference: individual values are all about you, and collective values are all about the group. Your individual values are like a selfie—unique and personal. Collective values are more like a group photo, where everyone is part of the picture.

But sometimes there can be a bit of tension between the two. Let's say your family has a Sunday dinner tradition, but you value personal time to read or draw. That's where individual and collective values might clash a bit. The cool thing is, understanding the difference can help you find a balance, like maybe reading before dinner or drawing after everyone has left.

The Interaction Between Them

Guess what? Individual and collective values are not enemies; they can actually be best friends sometimes. Your personal values can influence the group, and the group's values can influence you. For example, if you bring your value of environmental care into your family, you might get everyone recycling or saving water. At the same time, being part of a sports team that values teamwork can help you learn to be a better friend.

In fact, a lot of times our individual values are shaped by the collective values of the groups we're part of. It's like a dance where sometimes you lead, and sometimes you follow, but you're both part of the same rhythm.

Debates Around Personal Values

When we talk about values, you might think it's all straightforward—just decide what's important to you, and you're good to go, right? Well, not so fast! People have different opinions about what values are, where they come from, and even if everyone should have the same ones. Let's look at some of the big debates around this topic.

Nature vs. Nurture

One of the oldest debates in the book is "nature versus nurture." It's like asking, "Were you born loving pizza, or did you learn to love it because everyone around you does?" Some people think our values are built into us from the moment we're born—that it's all about "nature." Others believe our environment, or "nurture," plays a bigger role.

The truth is, it's probably a mix of both. You might be naturally inclined to be curious, but going to a school that encourages asking questions can make that part of you even stronger.

Universal Values vs. Cultural Values

Another hot topic is whether some values are universal—meaning everyone, everywhere should have them—or if values can change depending on your culture. For instance, freedom might be a big deal in one country but less important in another where community harmony is valued more.

This debate can get really tricky when people from different cultures interact. What if something you value, like individual success, is seen differently in another culture that values group harmony? There's no easy answer, but it's important to be open to understanding how different values can be.

Changing Values Over Time

Here's a question for you: Do values change over time, or are they set in stone? Some people think that once you have a set of values, they stick with you for life. Others argue that as you grow and experience new things, your values can shift .

Think about it. As a kid, maybe you valued playtime above all else. But as you grow up, other things like career success or family might take the top spots on your list. It's a debate without a clear answer, but it's good to know that it's okay for your values to evolve as you do.

The Role of Society

Last but not least, there's a debate about how much society should influence our personal values. Should there be a set list of "good" values that everyone should follow? Or should each person be free to choose their own path?

It's a big question, especially when you think about things like laws or school rules. Some people think that having shared values makes a society stronger. Others worry that trying to make everyone have the same values takes away personal freedom.

Examples of Personal Values

Alright, so we've talked a lot about what values are, where they might come from, and even some debates around them. Now let's get down to the nitty-gritty: What are some examples of personal values? Whether you're just starting to think about your own values or looking to understand others better, here's a handy list to get you thinking.

Values That Start With A

Accountability.

Taking responsibility for your actions and owning up to your mistakes or successes.

Achievement

Striving to accomplish goals and enjoying the sense of accomplishment that comes with it.

Adaptability

Being able to adjust to new conditions or environments smoothly.

Seeking and enjoying new experiences, even if they bring some level of risk or uncertainty.

Valuing close relationships and showing care and love toward others.

Putting others' needs before your own, and acting to benefit society at large.

Having a strong desire for success, achievement, or distinction in something that requires dedication and hard work.

Assertiveness

Standing up for your beliefs and values, and expressing your thoughts, feelings, or needs directly.

Authenticity

Being genuine and true to your own character and values.

Desiring independence and the freedom to make your own choices.

Values That Start With B

Seeking equilibrium between different aspects of life such as work, family, and health.

Appreciating aesthetics, symmetry, or grace in both natural and man-made environments.

Desiring a sense of community and relationship with others; valuing being part of a group or family.

Benevolence

Wishing well for others and helping them achieve what they desire.

Daring to take risks, venture into the unknown, or challenge the status quo.

Facing difficult situations with courage and resolve.

Values That Start With C

Valuing tranquility and quiet, and avoiding unnecessary stress or drama.

Having the skills and abilities needed to achieve goals or handle certain situations.

Carefulness

Taking caution in actions and decisions to avoid unnecessary risks or harm.

Taking on difficult tasks as a way to grow and develop.

Giving help or resources to those in need, without expecting anything in return.

Cheerfulness

Maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude, even in difficult situations.

Valuing clear communication and understanding in both thought and expression.

Cleanliness

Keeping oneself and one's environment neat and orderly.

Collaboration

Believing that working together as a team often yields better results than working alone.

Dedicating oneself to a cause, relationship, or goal.

Feeling empathy towards others and wanting to help those in need.

Having the skills and abilities to perform tasks well.

Believing in one's own abilities and making decisions without undue hesitation.

Consistency

Valuing stability and uniformity in actions and decisions.

Contentment

Being satisfied with what you have and where you are in life.

Contribution

Wanting to make a positive impact on other people or a particular situation.

Cooperation

Working well with others, often putting the group’s needs ahead of your own.

Facing fears or difficulties with grace and resolve.

Being polite and respectful toward others.

Valuing innovative thinking and the creation of new ideas or things.

Having a strong desire to learn or know more about something or someone.

Values That Start With D

Decisiveness.

Being able to make decisions quickly and effectively.

Committing to a task or cause for the long haul.

Valuing the right of each individual in a group to have a say in decisions that affect them.

Dependability

Being reliable and trustworthy in all your endeavors.

Determination

Staying focused on a task and seeing it through to completion.

Dedicating time and energy to a person, cause, or belief.

Working hard and staying focused to achieve what needs to be done.

Having self-control and the ability to stick with difficult tasks.

Valuing the inclusion of people from all backgrounds and beliefs.

Having an internal motivation that propels you to achieve.

Feeling a moral or ethical obligation to perform certain actions.

Values That Start With E

Having a keen interest or intense desire to do or achieve something.

Valuing the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

Completing tasks in the most effective way without wasting time or effort.

Being able to understand and share the feelings of others.

Empowerment

Encouraging and allowing others to take control of their own destiny or situation.

Having the stamina to withstand stress or hardship.

Believing everyone deserves equal rights and opportunities.

Doing the best possible job with the resources available.

Valuing the thrill and exhilaration of new experiences.

Exploration

Being eager to explore new places, try new things, and learn.

Values That Start With F

Treating people equally without favoritism or discrimination.

Having a strong belief in something, especially without evidence or proof.

Faithfulness

Staying true to someone or something over time.

Valuing familial relationships and spending quality time with family members.

Flexibility

Being able to adapt to new situations as they arise.

Forgiveness

Being able to forgive those who have wronged you.

Having mental and emotional strength to endure hardship.

Valuing the ability to think or act without outside constraint.

Friendliness

Being approachable and easy to get along with.

Valuing a close relationship based on mutual trust and affection.

Being economical and avoiding waste, often particularly with resources like money or time.

Values That Start With G

Willing to give freely, whether it's time, money, or some other resource.

Handling situations with a sense of elegance or dignity.

Being thankful for what you have.

Having the courage and resolve to accomplish long-term goals.

Seeking personal development, whether it's emotional, mental, or physical.

Values That Start With H

Valuing your own happiness and working to achieve it.

Valuing peace and a balanced, calm lifestyle.

Prioritizing your own well-being, both physically and mentally.

Valuing the truth and striving to be truthful in all interactions.

Having a strong moral compass and maintaining your integrity.

Believing that something good will happen, even in difficult times.

Not viewing oneself as more special or better than others.

Appreciating and valuing laughter and joy.

Values That Start With I

Pursuing high goals and ideals, even if they are difficult to achieve.

Imagination

Valuing creativity and the ability to imagine new possibilities.

Independence

Being able to take care of yourself without relying too much on others.

Individuality

Valuing your own unique traits and not conforming solely to social norms.

Valuing new ideas and seeking novel solutions to problems.

Having strong moral principles and being honest and fair.

Intelligence

Valuing intellectual capabilities and pursuits.

Trusting your own instincts and gut feelings.

Values That Start With J

For those who appreciate the arts or creativity, jazziness could be a value. This would signify an appreciation for spontaneity, improvisation, and the blending of different styles or cultures.

Finding happiness and delight in your surroundings and experiences.

Valuing the process or journey over the destination. This might mean that you appreciate the learning and experiences that come with pursuing a goal, rather than just the end result.

Valuing good humor and cheerfulness. If you appreciate joviality, you likely try to keep a positive outlook and bring a sense of light-heartedness to interactions with others.

Judiciousness

Valuing the ability to make sensible and wise decisions, especially in difficult situations. If you hold judiciousness as a value, you likely think things through carefully and weigh the pros and cons before taking action.

Judgement-Free

Valuing a non-judgmental approach towards others. This could mean providing a safe space for people to express themselves without fear of harsh criticism.

Valuing fairness and ensuring everyone is treated equally.

Valuing the simplicity and wonder associated with childhood. This doesn't mean you're immature; instead, you appreciate the straightforward joy and curiosity often seen in younger individuals.

Juxtaposition

Appreciating the value of contrast or opposition, whether in ideas, design, or in other forms. You might find depth and meaning in contrasting experiences or perspectives.

Values That Start With K

Believing in cause and effect, where your actions, good or bad, will return to you in some form. If you value karma, you aim to do good in the world, believing that it will eventually come back to you.

Being intensely interested or eager about something. Whether it's a hobby, a subject matter, or a social cause, valuing keenness means you're excited to dive deep and learn as much as you can.

Valuing the fundamental principles or elements that everything else depends upon. This could apply to a belief system, a business model, or even a personal regimen that you think serves as a foundation for success.

Being considerate, generous, and friendly to others.

Valuing family ties and friendships as an essential part of human life. If you value kinship, the bonds you share with those close to you are likely among your most cherished relationships.

Knightliness

Valuing the qualities of a medieval knight, like chivalry, courtesy, and bravery. This might seem a bit old-fashioned, but if you value knightliness, you appreciate acts of courage and honor in daily life.

Valuing the acquisition and application of information.

Placing importance on praise and honor received from others. If this is a value for you, you likely work hard to achieve things that you and others can be proud of.

Values That Start With L

Having the ability to lead and inspire others.

Pursuing knowledge and personal growth.

Being able to pay close attention to what others are saying and understand them.

Valuing reason and clear, sound reasoning.

Valuing deep, emotional connections with others.

Being faithful to those you have commitments to.

Values That Start With M

Becoming highly skilled or proficient in certain areas.

Having well-developed emotional and intellectual capabilities.

Seeking a sense of purpose or significance in life.

Valuing quiet reflection and mental clarity.

Mindfulness

Being fully aware and present in the moment.

Avoiding extremes and finding a balanced, middle ground.

Having the desire and will to accomplish specific goals.

Values That Start With N

Valuing what's natural or grounded in nature. This can extend from preferring natural foods and medicines to enjoying spending time outdoors.

Navigability

Valuing the ability to navigate through life's challenges effectively. If this is a value for you, you're likely good at problem-solving and appreciate others who can find their way through complicated situations.

Neighborliness

Valuing a sense of community and good relations with the people who live near you. If you value neighborliness, you likely try to be friendly and helpful to those around you.

Valuing impartiality and objectivity, especially in conflicts or debates. If you value neutrality, you probably strive to look at issues from multiple angles before forming an opinion.

Valuing high moral qualities such as honesty, courage, and generosity. If you value nobility, you strive to act in a manner that is honorable and virtuous.

Nonchalance

Valuing a calm and composed demeanor, especially in stressful situations. If you value nonchalance, you likely handle stress well and don’t easily get ruffled.

Non-Conformity

The act of not following conventional rules, beliefs, or practices. If you value non-conformity, you're probably unafraid to go against the grain and forge your own path.

Valuing memories and the feelings they evoke. While some people look always to the future, if you value nostalgia, you find comfort and guidance in reminiscing about the past.

Valuing recognition from others, even if it's not always in a positive light. This could mean you're driven to be well-known or leave a lasting impression.

Valuing new experiences, ideas, or innovations. If novelty is a value for you, you might be easily bored by routine and constantly seek out the new and exciting.

Appreciating the subtle or complex differences in situations, people, or issues. If nuance is important to you, you value a deeper or more sophisticated understanding of things.

Taking care of others and helping them grow.

Values That Start With O

Open-mindedness.

Being willing to consider different ideas or opinions.

Having a positive outlook on life and expecting the best possible outcome.

Organization

Keeping your life and environment neat and in order.

Originality

Valuing unique ideas and actions over conforming to the norm.

Values That Start With P

Having intense enthusiasm or desire for something or someone.

Being able to wait calmly without getting frustrated.

Valuing a state of tranquility and absence of conflict.

Perseverance

Continuing to try, even when things are tough.

Perspective

Being able to see things from different points of view.

Philanthropy

Donating resources or effort to help others, without expecting anything in return.

Playfulness

Valuing humor, fun, and games as a way to relax and connect with others.

Seeking and valuing enjoyable experiences.

Maintaining a hopeful and optimistic attitude.

Practicality

Valuing what is usable and sensible over what is abstract.

Preparedness

Making sure you're ready for any situation that might arise.

Taking satisfaction in your achievements and capabilities.

Valuing your personal space and keeping certain things to yourself.

Seeking advancement and constructive change.

Exercising careful judgment and caution.

Having a reason for doing what you do, giving you a sense of direction.

Values That Start With Q

Pursuing excellence and high standards.

Quality Time

Valuing meaningful and fulfilling interactions with loved ones over just 'spending time' together. If this is a value for you, you prefer deeper conversations and shared experiences that contribute to closer relationships.

Quantifiability

Valuing things that can be measured or quantified. This could be important for people who love data, statistics, and concrete results.

Quest for Knowledge

Valuing the journey toward learning and self-discovery. This goes beyond just 'knowledge' to emphasize the ongoing process and adventure of learning.

Quick-Wittedness

Valuing the ability to think and respond quickly, especially in challenging or unexpected situations. If you value quick-wittedness, you likely appreciate humor, clever conversation, and resourceful problem-solving.

Valuing peace, quiet, and tranquility. If quietude is important to you, you probably enjoy moments of solitude and places that offer a break from noise and hustle.

Quintessence

Valuing the purest and most essential aspects of life, whether that's love, happiness, or some other fundamental quality. If you value quintessence, you likely strive for the "real deal" in your experiences and relationships.

Appreciating uniqueness and individuality, even if it's unconventional. If quirkiness is a value for you, you probably love things that stand out from the norm, whether it's art, people, or experiences.

Valuing the principle of collective agreement or consensus, especially in a decision-making process. If quorum is a value for you, you believe that decisions should be made collectively with a minimum number of participants to ensure fairness and representation.

Quotability

Appreciating wit, wisdom, or insight that's worth quoting. If this is a value for you, you love those "a-ha" moments when someone says something so true or clever that it's worth remembering and repeating.

Values That Start With R

Using logical thinking to make decisions and understand things.

Recognition

Valuing acknowledgment and appreciation from others.

Rejuvenation

Valuing the time to rest and restore your energy.

Reliability

Being dependable and keeping your promises.

Recovering quickly from difficulties and setbacks.

Treating others with dignity and understanding their value.

Responsibility

Being accountable for your actions and their consequences.

Values That Start With S

Valuing safety and stability in your life.

Self-Actualization

Realizing your potential and becoming the best version of yourself.

Taking time to look after your own well-being.

Self-Control

Being able to regulate your emotions and actions.

Self-Esteem

Having confidence in your own worth or abilities.

Self-Expression

Freely expressing your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.

Self-Improvement

Constantly looking for ways to improve and become better.

Self-Reliance

Relying on your own skills and efforts to achieve things.

Sensitivity

Being aware of and understanding the feelings of yourself and others.

Providing help or beneficial actions to others.

Valuing a lifestyle free of unnecessary complexities.

Being open and truthful in your dealings with others.

Skillfulness

Having dexterity or talent in a particular area.

Standing together with others for a common cause or value.

Spirituality

Valuing a connection to something greater than oneself.

Valuing consistency and steadiness in your life or environment.

Stewardship

Taking good care of resources or privileges that are entrusted to you.

Having physical, emotional, or intellectual power or vigor.

Achieving goals and fulfilling your intentions.

Offering help or emotional support to others.

Sustainability

Valuing long-term well-being over short-term gains, often particularly in the context of environmental care.

Values That Start With T

Working cooperatively with others to achieve a common goal.

Thoughtfulness

Paying attention to details that show you care.

Being accepting of others, even when they are different from you.

Valuing customs, rituals, and beliefs passed down through generations.

Transparency

Being open and honest in your interactions.

Having faith in someone or something.

Values That Start With U

Understanding.

Taking the time to know something or someone in depth.

Feeling a sense of togetherness or oneness with others.

Values That Start With V

Showing courage when facing difficulties.

Being able to plan for the future with imagination and wisdom.

Values That Start With W

Having good judgment based on knowledge and experience.

Appreciating the beauty and vastness of life and the universe.

Work-Life Balance

Balancing career demands with personal and family needs.

Values That Start With X

Valuing the act of being hospitable, especially to strangers or guests. In a world that sometimes feels disconnected or hostile, xeniality places importance on kindness and warm-heartedness toward those we may not know well.

Xeriscaping

This might seem specific, but in an age of environmental concern, valuing xeriscaping could mean you prioritize water conservation and sustainable gardening. You might live in an area where water is scarce, or you might simply want to reduce your environmental impact.

Values That Start With Y

Youthfulness.

Valuing youthfulness doesn't mean you're trying to stay forever young; rather, you value the qualities often associated with youth—like wonder, enthusiasm, curiosity, and an adventurous spirit.

This value speaks to the importance of compromise and letting go of your ego for the benefit of a relationship or group outcome. It doesn't mean you should give up on everything you believe in, but that you understand the importance of give-and-take.

Values That Start With Z

Approaching life with excitement and energy.

Related posts:

• 31+ Morals Examples (Definition + Brain Teasers)
• Carl Rogers Biography - Contributions To Psychology
• William Glasser Biography - Contributions To Psychology
• 185+ Symbolic Interaction Examples (Definition + Trivia)
• Dream Interpreter & Dictionary (270+ Meanings)

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Core Values List: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values

By Status.net Editorial Team on May 3, 2023 — 12 minutes to read

153 Personal Values Examples: Discover Your Unique Core Values

Discovering your personal values is essential for living a life true to yourself: they guide your behavior and decision-making process. In this article, you will find 153 personal values examples that can help you identify and prioritize your own set of values. Reflecting on these examples can provide insights into what truly matters to you, allowing you to make choices with greater clarity and confidence. As you explore this list of values, remember that there is no hierarchy or universal set of “correct” values. Each person’s values are unique, shaped by individual experiences and perspectives.

Understanding Personal Values

Personal values are the core beliefs that guide your decision-making process, behaviors, and interactions with others. They help you differentiate right from wrong and set your priorities in life. By understanding your personal values, you can make clearer choices and discover what truly matters to you.

To identify your values, start by considering how you define success, happiness, and the kind of person you want to be. Reflect on your past experiences, both positive and negative: they often reveal values that shaped your decisions and actions.

Another helpful method is to consider the admirable qualities of people you look up to. Be honest with yourself about what resonates with you and what doesn’t. It’s essential to remember that your personal values are unique to you, and there’s no one-size-fits-all list.

Take your time as you explore these values and remember that they may change over time as you grow and evolve. Embrace the journey of self-discovery!

Values List

• Accountability – Taking responsibility for your actions and decisions.
• Adaptability – Being able to adjust to new situations and environments.
• Adventure – Seeking out new experiences and challenges.
• Altruism – Putting the needs of others before your own.
• Ambition – Having a strong desire to achieve success and reach your goals.
• Authenticity – Being true to yourself and your beliefs.
• Balance – Maintaining a sense of equilibrium in all aspects of your life.
• Beauty – Appreciating and seeking out beauty in all its forms.
• Belonging – Feeling a sense of belonging and connection to others.
• Boldness – Being willing to take risks and make bold decisions.
• Calmness – Maintaining a sense of composure and tranquility in stressful situations.
• Care – Showing concern and compassion for others.
• Challenge – Seeking out challenges and pushing yourself to grow and develop.
• Character – Having strong moral and ethical values.
• Clarity – Having a clear understanding of your goals and values.
• Collaboration – Working well with others and valuing teamwork.
• Commitment – Being dedicated and loyal to your goals and values.
• Compassion – Showing kindness and empathy towards others.
• Confidence – Believing in yourself and your abilities.
• Connection – Building strong relationships with others.
• Consistency – Maintaining a sense of reliability and predictability.
• Courage – Facing challenges and adversity with bravery and strength.
• Creativity – Expressing yourself through art, music, writing, or other forms of creativity.
• Curiosity – Having a desire to learn and explore new ideas and concepts.
• Decisiveness – Making clear and timely decisions.
• Dedication – Being committed to your goals and values.
• Dependability – Being reliable and trustworthy.
• Determination – Persisting in the face of obstacles and challenges.
• Discipline – Maintaining a sense of self-control and focus.
• Diversity – Valuing and respecting differences in people and cultures.
• Drive – Having a strong motivation to succeed.
• Empathy – Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• Endurance – Being able to persevere through difficult situations.
• Energy – Having a high level of enthusiasm and vitality.
• Excellence – Striving for excellence in all aspects of your life.
• Exploration – Seeking out new experiences and ideas.
• Fairness – Treating others with fairness and justice.
• Faith – Having strong beliefs and a sense of spirituality.
• Family – Valuing and prioritizing your family relationships.
• Flexibility – Being adaptable and open to change.
• Focus – Maintaining a sense of concentration and attention to detail.
• Forgiveness – Being able to forgive others and yourself.
• Freedom – Valuing personal freedom and independence.
• Friendship – Building and maintaining strong friendships.
• Fun – Seeking out enjoyment and pleasure in life.
• Generosity – Giving freely and generously to others.
• Gratitude – Being thankful and appreciative for what you have.
• Growth – Continuously growing and developing as a person.
• Happiness – Pursuing happiness and joy in life.
• Harmony – Striving for balance and harmony in all aspects of your life.
• Health – Prioritizing and maintaining good physical and mental health.
• Honesty – Being truthful and transparent in all your actions and interactions.
• Honor – Having a strong sense of integrity and honor.
• Hope – Maintaining a sense of optimism and hope for the future.
• Humility – Being humble and modest in your actions and interactions.
• Humor – Appreciating and using humor to bring joy and laughter to others.
• Imagination – Using your imagination to create and innovate.
• Independence – Valuing and prioritizing personal independence and autonomy.
• Initiative – Taking action and being proactive in achieving your goals.
• Innovation – Seeking out new and creative solutions to problems.
• Integrity – Maintaining strong moral and ethical values.
• Intensity – Pursuing your goals and passions with intensity and fervor.
• Intimacy – Building and maintaining deep and meaningful relationships with others.
• Joy – Finding joy and happiness in life.
• Justice – Striving for fairness and justice for all.
• Kindness – Showing kindness and compassion towards others.
• Knowledge – Pursuing knowledge and education.
• Leadership – Being a strong and effective leader.
• Learning – Continuously learning and growing as a person.
• Legacy – Leaving a positive legacy for future generations.
• Liberty – Valuing personal freedom and liberty.
• Life – Valuing and cherishing life in all its forms.
• Love – Showing love and affection towards others.
• Loyalty – Being loyal and committed to your relationships and commitments.
• Mastery – Striving for mastery and excellence in your skills and abilities.
• Meaning – Finding meaning and purpose in life.
• Mindfulness – Being present and aware in the moment.
• Moderation – Practicing moderation and balance in all aspects of your life.
• Motivation – Maintaining a strong motivation to achieve your goals.
• Nature – Valuing and appreciating the natural world.
• Nurturing – Providing care and support to others.
• Openness – Being open to new ideas and perspectives.
• Open-mindedness – Being open to new ideas and perspectives.
• Optimism – Maintaining a positive outlook on life.
• Order – Valuing order and organization in your life.
• Originality – Being original and unique in your thoughts and actions.
• Passion – Pursuing your passions and interests with enthusiasm.
• Patience – Being patient and understanding in difficult situations.
• Peace – Valuing peace and tranquility in your life and relationships.
• Perseverance – Persisting through difficult challenges and obstacles.
• Persistence – Continuing to pursue your goals despite setbacks and failures.
• Playfulness – Embracing a sense of playfulness and fun in your life.
• Poise – Maintaining a sense of grace and composure in difficult situations.
• Positivity – Maintaining a positive attitude and outlook on life.
• Power – Using your power and influence for good.
• Precision – Pursuing accuracy and precision in your work and actions.
• Preparedness – Being prepared and ready for any situation.
• Privacy – Valuing and respecting personal privacy and boundaries.
• Productivity – Being productive and efficient in your work and tasks.
• Professionalism – Maintaining a sense of professionalism and integrity in your work.
• Progress – Striving for progress and growth in all aspects of your life.
• Prosperity – Seeking out prosperity and abundance in your life.
• Punctuality – Being punctual and on time for your commitments.
• Quality – Pursuing quality and excellence in your work and actions.
• Rationality – Making decisions based on reason and logic.
• Realism – Being realistic and practical in your expectations and actions.
• Recognition – Seeking recognition and acknowledgement for your accomplishments.
• Reflection – Reflecting on your actions and decisions to learn and grow.
• Reliability – Being reliable and trustworthy in your commitments.
• Resilience – Bouncing back from setbacks and challenges.
• Respect – Showing respect and consideration towards others.
• Responsibility – Taking responsibility for your actions and decisions.
• Results-oriented – Focusing on achieving results and outcomes.
• Risk-taking – Being willing to take calculated risks.
• Safety – Prioritizing safety and security in your life and relationships.
• Self-awareness – Being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
• Self-care – Prioritizing self-care and self-nurturing.
• Self-control – Maintaining self-control and discipline in your actions and decisions.
• Self-improvement – Continuously improving and developing yourself.
• Selflessness – Putting the needs of others before your own.
• Sensitivity – Being sensitive and empathetic towards others.
• Serenity – Maintaining a sense of calm and peace in your life.
• Service – Serving and helping others.
• Simplicity – Valuing simplicity and minimalism in your life.
• Sincerity – Being sincere and genuine in your actions and interactions.
• Skill-building – Continuously building and developing your skills and abilities.
• Spirituality – Having a sense of spirituality and connection to a higher power.
• Stability – Valuing stability and security in your life and relationships.
• Strength – Being strong and resilient in the face of challenges and adversity.
• Success – Pursuing success and achievement in your life.
• Support – Providing support and encouragement to others.
• Sustainability – Valuing and prioritizing sustainability and environmental responsibility.
• Teamwork – Working well with others and valuing teamwork.
• Tenacity – Having a strong determination and persistence in achieving your goals.
• Thoughtfulness – Being thoughtful and considerate towards others.
• Tolerance – Being tolerant and accepting of differences in people and cultures.
• Tradition – Valuing and respecting traditions and cultural heritage.
• Tranquility – Maintaining a sense of calm and tranquility in your life.
• Trust – Building and maintaining trust in your relationships.
• Trustworthiness – Being trustworthy and reliable in your commitments.
• Understanding – Seeking to understand others and their perspectives.
• Unity – Valuing and promoting unity and cooperation.
• Vision – Having a clear vision and purpose for your life.
• Vitality – Maintaining a sense of energy and vitality in your life.
• Warmth – Showing warmth and kindness towards others.
• Wealth – Pursuing wealth and financial success.
• Well-being – Prioritizing and maintaining good physical and mental health.
• Wisdom – Seeking and valuing wisdom and experience.
• Wonder – Embracing a sense of wonder and awe towards the world.
• Work-life balance – Maintaining a balance between work and personal life.
• Worldliness – Being knowledgeable and experienced in different cultures and languages.
• Worthiness – Believing in your own worth and value.
• Zeal – Pursuing your goals and passions with enthusiasm and excitement.

Categories of Personal Values

When discovering your own values, it’s helpful to categorize them into different areas of your life. This will make it easier for you to determine what’s most important to you, and can help guide your decisions across various aspects. Below, you’ll find five main categories of personal values:

Relationship and Family Values

Your relationship and family values represent the beliefs and priorities you hold in your personal relationships, whether it’s with your spouse, children, family, or friends. Some examples are:

• Responsibility

Career and Success Values

Values in this category usually revolve around your work and professional aspirations. They can help guide you in the career choices you make and the manner in which you approach the road to success. Examples include:

• Professional growth
• Work-life balance
• Job satisfaction
• Professionalism
• Perseverance
• Adaptability
• Resourcefulness
• Inspiration

Personal Growth Values

These are the values related to your personal development, self-improvement, and well-being. They can influence how you choose to invest your time and effort into learning new skills or seeking out personal growth opportunities. Some examples are:

• Continued learning
• Personal development
• Self-awareness
• Spirituality
• Self-acceptance

Health and Well-Being Values

These values are connected to your overall physical, mental, and emotional health – how you prioritize self-care and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Examples include:

• Healthy eating
• Mental well-being
• Stress reduction
• Rest and relaxation

Social Values

Social values concern your beliefs and attitudes towards society as a whole, and relate to how you engage with different social groups and contribute to the common good. Examples of social values are:

• Community engagement
• Environmental sustainability
• Social responsibility
• Stewardship
• Sustainability

Finding Your Own Personal Values

To find your own values, follow these steps:

• Reflect on your experiences: Your life experiences shape your values. Think about significant moments, decisions, and relationships in your life. What lessons have you learned, and how have they impacted your values system?
• Identify common themes: As you dig deeper into your experiences, try to identify recurring themes. Look for patterns and connect the dots to determine which personal values underpin your thoughts and actions.
• Make a list of values: Begin by creating a list of values that resonate with you. Don’t feel limited to conventional values – this is your personal journey, and your list should be authentic to your experiences and beliefs.
• Prioritize your values: After identifying the values that resonate with you, prioritize them by importance. This ranking will help you understand which values are non-negotiable and essential to your well-being.
• Test your values: Put your values to the test by imagining different scenarios in which they might be challenged. Consider how you would handle each situation and assess whether your values truly align with your actions.

Keep in mind that your personal values may change and evolve over time, and it is useful to continually reevaluate and refine your values to ensure they remain relevant and accurate to who you are.

Aligning Your Goals with Your Values

Aligning your goals with your values ensures that you not only stay true to yourself, but also enjoy the journey while working towards these objectives.

• Make a list of your top values.
• Reflect on past experiences and identify moments where you felt fulfilled and satisfied. This will help you recognize the values that are most important to you.
• Once you have identified your values, start setting goals that align with them. Try to set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to increase the likelihood of success.
• Create a vision board or write down your goals to increase your focus and commitment.
• Design a step-by-step action plan to achieve your goals.
• Regularly review and track your progress, making adjustments when needed.

Uncovering your personal values is an ongoing process, and your values may evolve over time. Give yourself the flexibility to grow and adapt, and don’t be afraid to reevaluate your choices.

See also: How to Write a Personal Mission Statement (20 Examples)

35 Personal Values Examples

Personal values are the values that you hold dearest to your heart. They’re central to your sense of yourself as an ethical being.

We will often also call them our core values .

We develop our personal values from our cultural and social context. Our families, cultures, and societies give us values that are passed down from generation to generation.

Religion is another important place where people source their inspiration and values. Many religions encourage us to embrace personal values like charity, goodwill, and justice.

Personal Values Examples

1. Family – Family values are moral and ethical principles of typical family life, including sacrificing for loved ones, putting your loved ones first, and keeping your loved ones at the center of your thoughts and actions.

2. Loyalty – Loyalty might be a core personal value to you if you highly prize friends that are reliable and trustworthy. You might put your friends or chosen family first, always being there for them when they need you.

3. Compassion – A compassionate person is someone who prioritizes caring for others and feeling sympathetic for people in need of help and protection.

Related Article: 25 Humility Examples

4. Fairness – If you value fairness, you might be highly sensitive to situations at school or in the workplace where a teacher or a peer has exhibited favoritism or allowed someone to get away with living by a different set of rules to everyone else.

5. Honesty – You may highly value telling people the truth. This one gets tricky when being honest can be hurtful to others. So, a person who really puts honesty first might be the sort of person who will tell the truth even if it hurts to do so.

6. Generosity – This may be a core value of yours if you cherish people who will give their time and resources to people in need. You may consider yourself to be a generous person if you find joy and meaning in giving to others.

Related Article: 17 Best Adversity Examples

7. Integrity – Integrity is the quality of having strong moral principles. So, a person with integrity will always act with honesty and adhere to their own moral code regardless of what others do.

8. Perseverance – People who value perseverance will work through adversity and be determined to get a result. This is a great treat for employees and entrepreneurs alike.

9. Trustworthiness – A trustworthy person is someone who others can rely on to keep their commitments, maintain integrity when people aren’t looking, and keep the secrets of others. This might be valuable for a manger-level employee who is trusted with money-making decisions.

10. Courageousness – If you value courage, it means that you highly respect people who are willing to take risks and stand up for what they believe in even when the going gets tough.

11. Self-Discipline – If you value self-discipline, you might be a person who wakes up early, exercises daily, and doesn’t get distracted by vices.

12. Humility – You might highly value humility if you find yourself disgusted by people who are arrogant or braggadocious, and instead find yourself gravitating to people who are always expressing their gratefulness for the blessings in their life.

13. Kindness – If you value kindness, you’ll likely always be respectful of people around you, be gentle with criticism, and always willing to welcome people with open arms.

Related Article: 8 Types of Values

14. Individual Responsibility – If you value individual responsibility, you respect people who get up and work hard for what they’ve got, don’t ask for hand-outs, and will always expect higher of themselves.

15. Gratitude – You value gratitude if you find yourself respecting people who say please and thank you. If you’re a religious person who values gratitude, you may always insist on praying before eating your dinner.

16. Empathy – If you value empathy, you may find yourself gravitating toward people who can put themselves in the shoes of others. You, personally, may find yourself feeling for the sick or downtrodden and wanting to do something to help them.

17. Patience – A person who has patience as a core personal value is going to prioritize giving their time to others. They will sit down and be calm while waiting for others. This is a great trait for a teacher.

Related Article: Values in Sociology – Explained.

18. Open-Mindedness – An open-minded person is someone who is always willing to hear new points of view and even change their own point of view if new arguments are highly convincing. It’s the opposite of stubbornness.

19. Thoughtfulness – You may highly value people who are thoughtful. If this is you, then you might find yourself rolling your eyes at people who are full of bluster and never stop to reflect on their own actions.

20. Optimism – Some people are perpetual optimists. They value optimism , perhaps because by being optimistic, you are more willing to have a go at achieving even unattainable goals. You may also be more willing to persevere through hard times.

21. Altruism – If you highly value altruism, then you value people who do good deeds for the intrinsic value of those good deeds, and not in order to feel good about themselves or get something out of it.

22. Tolerance and Diversity – If you value tolerance and diversity , then you’re likely very comfortable with multiculturalism and want to encourage people to live and respect the wide variety of cultures and traditions that exist in modern society.

23. Forgiveness – Forgiveness is a central value in Christianity. It emphasizes the importance of redemption and getting a second chance. If this is a personal value of yours, then you likely don’t hold grudges and want to move forward and see the best of people in the future.

See Also: Personal Credo Examples

24. Being True to Yourself – This value is all about making sure people are not hiding who they really are in order to satisfy others. Instead, it thinks that humans flourish when they are living their best life.

25. Community – If you value community, then you are someone who might do a lot of volunteering and find meaning and purpose in being a member of a community group.

26. Social Justice – If social justice is central to your personal value set, then you likely want to see the oppressed and downtrodden get better treatment. You might advocate for fairness in your workplace and want to dedicate your time and resources to stamping out discrimination.

27. Dependability – If you value being dependable, then you might make sure you always turn up 5 minutes ahead of time so you’re never late and you never miss a deadline. If you say you’re going to do something, you will do it.

28. Work Ethic – Work ethic is a personal value that’s great to mention in an interview or CV. It means that you always put your head down and work your heart out to do a good job. You’ll never be found slacking off!

29. Respect – The value of respect reminds us that we should always be polite and caring for others. Even when someone disrespects us, we hold ourselves to higher regard and always treat people with the respect that we want to be treated with.

30. Compromise – The value of compromise is a very wise value. It involves recognizing that you will never get your own way, but by getting people together to reach an agreement, you can achieve great outcomes for all.

31. Playfulness – Playfulness is a value if you think it’s inherently important for living a good life. You might think that taking time off for relaxation and play is incredibly important for you, and that you’ll make sure you never let work take over life.

32. Pragmatism – A pragmatist values setting goals that are achievable. You’re the opposite of a dreamer. Instead, you have aspirations, but the most important thing to you is that you set yourself to tasks that you know can succeed at.

33. Environmentalism – Environmentalism may be a core value to you if you think it’s extremely important to care for the environment and natural world. It’s even more of a personal value if you act on it by limiting your waste, driving less, and buying ethical products.

34. Independence – Independence is important to you if you refuse to be tied to a job or a partner. Many modern-day women, for example, want to maintain their independent identity even while having a partner who they love.

35. Individual Liberty – If you value individual liberty, then you respect other people’s rights to make decisions for their own lives. It tries to ensure people don’t impose themselves on others. However, this rubs up against communitarian values where you need to do things for the greater good.

See Also: 65 Personal Identity Examples

Determining your Core Personal Values

When coming up with what your personal values framework, have a think about what’s important to you and what inspires you. Some sources can include:

1. What are your Family’s Values?

Our parents are the first people who teach us the difference between right and wrong. They lay the foundations for our lives by exposing us to stories that can help us build a moral framework, as well as exposing us to important influences like our church group or close family friends. Similarly, our siblings and cousins are often the first friends we have, and we learn right from wrong through playing with them.

2. What are your Religion’s Values?

Throughout history, societies have turned to religion for our values. Religious texts allow people to contemplate right from wrong and learn from a higher power about how we humans are expected to behave here on earth. Agnostic people may turn instead to philosophy for wise people who can teach us important lessons about right and wrong, and how to live a good life.

3. What are your Culture’s Values?

Each culture has a set of values around which it is oriented. We have western culture, for example, which values individual liberty and democracy. Similarly, in the United States, individual accountability is an important value. In societies like Denmark, care for the community is more heavily emphasized. You may embrace these sociocultural values as personal values if you find they resonate with you.

4. What are your Mentors’ Values?

There may be mentors in your life, such as teachers or coaches, who you admire for their wisdom and the way they behave. Reflect on why you respect them. Chances are, it’s because of the values they live by: respect, integrity, hard-work, or compassion.

5. Who are the People you Admire?

While a mentor might be a person in your life who you know personally, there may be other people you admire who are celebrities or politicians. For example, you might admire a sports star, actor, or philanthropist who is changing the world. Reflect on what values they have that make them admirable. This might be their work ethic that got them to the top, their humility in interviews, or their generosity in giving to the poor and needy.

6. What does Your Ideal World Look Like?

Reflect on the world you want. Consider what it looks like. It might have many of the values you embrace weaved into it. Your ideal world might be peaceful, compassionate, and fair. Or, it might be one full of wealth and pure meritocracy where the hard workers and people who take individual responsibility truly are the wealthiest and most successful of all.

Personal Values for a CV

The best personal values to include in a CV or resume are ones that demonstrate that you will be an excellent employee. For example, employers often want employees who:

• Have work ethic – This will show that you’re going to work very hard and not waste your employer’s money.
• Have integrity – This will show that you can be trusted, even when no one is looking.
• Value cooperation – In today’s workplaces, you need to work in teams to get jobs done. A person who works well in teams is a valuable asset to a company.
• Are optimistic – Your employer wants a positive person who will spread motivation and positivity around the workplace and to customers.

Go Deeper: Resume Skills Examples

Benefits of Clear Personal Value Sets

Having a clear value set has several important benefits . For example, it can help you to:

• Make decisions. If you know what you truly value, then you can use your values as a guide when making decisions – big and small! For example, it can help you make decisions about what career to go into (one that will help you exercise your values) or what to study at university.
• Work through difficulty. If you know who you are and what you value, then hard times are easier. You will have your values as a guiding star, reminding you to persevere and carry on through difficulty.
• Set goals. You’ll know what you value and what you want, meaning you will be able to identify exactly what you want out of a good life.
• Make social connections. By knowing who you are, you can gravitate to others who share your personal value set.

As you can see, there are many different personal values that can help shape our character and guide us through life as we interact with others, make decisions, and face challenges both large and small.

When telling others what your personal values are, make sure you state examples of personal values that are genuinely reflective of yourself, not just ones that you think sound good. People will know if you’ve not told the truth because you need to demonstrate and live by your personal values every day of your life.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 44 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory (Pros & Cons)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Social Exchange Theory: Definition and Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 10 Cognitive Dissonance Examples

1 thought on “35 Personal Values Examples”

Thank you for the articles that you have written and shared. I just finished reading two on humility and 35 Personal Values. You write in a way that engages the reader. That is something that I would like to do one day. I have some writing helps, I just don’t know how to get started. It is a worry that I end up writing and it won’t be good enough for publication. Your article on 35 Examples of Humility was very eye-opening and informative. These articles have been so helpful. Again, thank you for teaching more on both subjects.

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How well do you know your values? Chances are not as well as you think, or at least not as well as you could…

Values are like a map for life: they help us navigate the many difficulties and obstacles of life so we can reach our destination and goals, whatever those might be.

Unfortunately, many of us end up trying to get through life without a map. We tend to wing it when faced with difficult circumstances—going with our gut and hoping for the best.

The problem is, whether it’s resisting the temptation of junk food or deciding whether to get married or not, going with your gut can easily lead to regrettable decisions.

Values are the solution.

Values are guiding principles that help you make good decisions in the face of uncertainty or powerful emotions like fear or anger.

Getting to know your values is like discovering a map when you’re lost in the wilderness. It won’t magically solve all your problems, but it will help you navigate them with confidence and skill.

In the rest of this guide we’ll explore what values really are, why it’s important to clarify your personal values, and then look at some practical techniques you can use to do just that.

Table of Contents

Feel free to jump straight to any section of the guide using the links below:

What are personal values?

• Why values are important: 6 very good reasons to get to know your values better
• How to discover and clarify your values: 7 practical exercises

Values are the ideals we strive to live by, especially when times are tough.

While this guide is primarily focused on personal values let’s start by clarifying what we mean by values generally…

What are values, exactly?

Values are easier to understand if we begin with a specific example:

Courage is a value many people share. It’s something most of us would agree is a good thing. It’s an aspiration or ideal we strive toward, even if we don’t always live up to it. If you asked a thousand people whether they would like to be more courageous, it’s hard to imagine many of them saying no!

But values like courage also serve as guiding principles for our behavior, especially when strong emotions like fear or shame are involved.

For example, suppose your boss at work asks for volunteers to head up a new project. The project sounds exciting but you’re also a little afraid of taking it on (“What if I’m out of my depth and I end up making a fool of myself?”)

In this case, your value of courage might be a helpful guide suggesting that even though you feel afraid, taking on the project would be a good thing overall so you should go for it anyway.

Here’s a good working definition for values:

Values are ideals that guide our behavior, especially in difficult situations.

And while we typically associate the term values with big universal ideals like courage, compassion, or honesty, values can also be much smaller and more specific to our own individual lives. Which brings us to the idea of personal values…

Let’s start with another example:

I personally value curiosity, especially intellectual curiosity.

I love learning and learning about new ideas. It’s thrilling for me to get introduced to a new concept or way of looking at things that I hadn’t known before.

I’ve also found curiosity useful in my life as a guide for my behavior. Following my curiosity has led me to meet wonderful people, have some amazing experiences, and it also helps me a lot in my work as a therapist.

But here’s an even smaller, more unique example of a personal value…

I was talking to a client recently about her personal values and she said something fascinating:

This probably sounds silly, but playfulness is a really important value for me. Over the years, I’ve just discovered that not only is it really fun to be playful—even as an adult!—but good things tend to happen when I allow more playfulness in my life. I think it helps me be more honest, for example, especially with important people in my life. It also helps me be more honest with myself—it reminds me of the things that really matter to me, not just what I think should matter because of what other people like or value.

I thought this was such an awesome example of a personal value!

Like curiosity, playfulness isn’t necessarily going to make it on any top 5 most important values to live by lists because it’s hard to see it replacing any of those big, universal values like kindness, honesty, bravery, etc. as the most important.

But that’s okay because even though some values may be grand and universal, they don’t have to be.

Just because playfulness isn’t an especially important value for me, it clearly was for my client. And the fact that she understood that and appreciated that was incredibly beneficial for her.

While there may well be universal values that everybody agrees are good and useful (e.g.: kindness ), something can still be a value for you even if other people don’t see it that way. That’s the basic idea behind personal values.

Personal values are simply values that are specific to you and your life—ideals that help guide you toward your best life.

The importance of personal values: 6 reasons why you should get to know your values better

There are many benefits that go along with getting to know your personal values. In this section, I’m going to highlight a handful of them that have the biggest impact on emotional health and wellbeing:

1. Feel more confident

One of the root causes of low self-confidence is when we constantly look to other people and things for what we should want, what we should do, or even, who we should become. When this pattern becomes a habit, we begin to feel insecure because we don’t trust ourselves to determine what we really want in life.

But when you learn to clarify your personal values, you begin to build trust in yourself. And once you start to trust yourself more, confidence won’t be far behind.

2. Improve your relationships

The most underrated aspect of healthy relationships is assertiveness—the capacity to honestly and respectfully communicate what you want and what you don’t want. But communicating your wants and needs assertively can be quite challenging!

One of the biggest obstacles to assertiveness is lack of clarity about our personal values. If you think about it, of course it’s hard to communicate what you want if you don’t make time to really know your values!

Once you become better at clarifying your personal values, assertiveness becomes much easier and relationships tend to improve substantially as a result.

3. Stop procrastinating so much

We all procrastinate sometimes. In fact, to some extent, procrastination is a normal and even healthy phenomenon because it can be a sign that you’re not working on the right things.

Obviously, we all have to do some work that we don’t like or enjoy or find meaningful sometimes. But when you start spending most of your time doing work that doesn’t matter to you, procrastination can be your mind’s way of shaking you and asking, “Hey is this really what you want to be doing?”

Discovering and clarifying your personal values helps you understand what kind of work really matters to you. And when you start spending more time on the stuff that really matters, procrastination has a way of taking care of itself.

4. Worry less

One of the most powerful ways to undo the habit of worry and feel less anxious all the time is to “outcompete it” with your values.

See, worries exert a kind of gravity on our attention, which is why it’s so hard to let them go. One of the best ways to not get sucked into spirals of worry and anxiety is to have clear, compelling alternatives for our attention to focus on. Which is where values come in…

If you’ve spent time discovering and clarifying your values—the things that matter most to you in life—they will naturally draw your attention toward them and away from worry. When you know your values, it’s like adding a couple extra people to your tug-o-war team!

5. Find more joy in life

Maybe this sounds obvious, but I think one of the reasons people are often so unhappy is because they don’t have much joy in their lives. And while there can be many reasons for this, here’s an idea that I think doesn’t get talked enough about: Joy doesn’t just happen; you have to actively cultivate it.

And one of the most important parts of cultivating joy comes down to whether you know your values or not. If joy comes in part from moving toward your values, that’s awfully hard to do if you don’t know which direction to reach!

When we make time to intentionally reflect on and clarify our personal values, we set the stage for more joy and happiness in our life .

6. Stick to your goals

We all have goals. Sometimes they’re very small (wash the dishes as soon as we’re done with dinner) and sometimes they’re much bigger (lose 20 pounds, be a better husband).

And as most of us can relate to, sticking with our goals—even the very small ones—can be a challenge. And one of the biggest but most underappreciated reasons why is that our personal values behind the goals aren’t clear enough.

Clear, well-defined personal values supercharge your motivation to go after and stick to your goals.

Here’s a simple example: If your goal is to exercise four times per week, which of the following values is more motivating:

• So I’m healthy enough to run around and play with my kids without getting winded in 30 seconds.

Obviously the #2!

So, one of the great benefits of discovering and clarifying your values is that they improve motivation to reach your goals and stick with them.

But how do I actually discover my personal values?

Now that we’ve talked about what personal values are and why it’s important to know your values, let’s move on to the main event and look at some practical strategies for discovering and clarifying those values.

7 Practical Exercises to Help You Know Your Values Better

Like in most areas of life, insight is necessary but not sufficient for change. A good amount of action is usually required too!

So, if you’re really serious about getting to know your values better, read through the following techniques, find one that seems interesting or most applicable, and then commit to actually trying it out.

Here are a few ways to know your values better:

Flip Your Frustrations

Often we end up avoiding our frustrations because they are… well… frustrating!

But here’s the thing: even though it can be difficult to face up to and explore our frustrations, they often contain very useful information.

When we’re frustrated by someone or something, it’s usually because, on some level, we are being thwarted from something.

Here’s a concrete example:

You get frustrated at your manager who drones on and on during weekly meetings, preventing your team from being productive and solving real problems in a timely way. Exploring this frustration could be useful because it might be telling you that efficiency is an important value for you. Perhaps so much so that it might be worth looking into switching to a new department or even company that shared that value more.

If you’re having trouble identifying your personal values, try flipping your frustrations:

• Make a list of 10-20 things that frequently frustrate you in your life.
• For each frustration, ask yourself, What goal am I being thwarted from achieving? and then write that down.
• Finally, for each goal, ask yourself What might this tell me about my values?

And remember…

A personal value doesn’t have to be valuable to other people—just to you!

The reason many people struggle to identify their values is because they don’t think they’re valid or important enough. Or they think it’s silly that they get so frustrated or worked up about something “small” or “unimportant.”

Instead, try respecting those “little” preferences and see what they can tell you about getting to know your values.

Write Down Your Bucket List

Chances are you’re familiar with the concept of a bucket list. Basically, it’s the list of things you want to do before you die (before you “kick the bucket” as they say).

• Run a marathon
• Reconnect with my estranged brother
• Speak Italian fluently
• Learn to play the guitar
• Visit Machu Picchu
• Start my own business
• Write a novel

Now, the funny thing about bucket lists is, while just about everyone has heard of one—and gets excited about theirs—almost no one has actually written one out!

Isn’t it strange that most of us haven’t taken the time to simply write down the things we want to do in life more than anything else?!!

Well, like most challenges, the fact that you likely haven’t actually created a bucket list may just be an opportunity in disguise…

And the reason: Creating your bucket list is a powerful way to uncover and get to know your values!

For example, let’s say you spent a good 20-30 minutes jotting down your biggest goals and dreams in life. And let’s say you ended up with 30 or so items on your bucket list. Then after scanning them over, you see an interesting pattern: more than half of them involve travel. This suggests that traveling and exploring new locations might be an important value for you.

Or, suppose you’re scanning your newly crafted bucket list and you realize many of the items are pretty solitary in nature. This might suggest that solitude is actually an important value for you. And while you don’t necessarily need to go backpacking in Southeast Asia by yourself for a year, making more time to be alone in your regular life might be beneficial.

So, if you haven’t already, take a half an hour one Saturday morning, sit down with a pen and paper, and start brainstorming items for your bucket list.

Once you’ve got a good number, scan your list for themes and patterns that might be clues to unrealized or ignored personal values in your life.

Ask Yourself the Peter Thiel Question

In his book Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future , Peter Thiel opens his first chapter saying this:

Whenever I interview someone for a job, I like to ask this question: “What important truth do very few people agree with you on?”

I just think this is an endlessly fascinating question. And while I’ve never used it in a hiring process, I frequently use it myself and with clients as a tool for values discovery.

The reason this question is so powerful is because it encourages you to distinguish between inherited values from more personal values.

Wait, what’s an inherited value?

Right, good question. An inherited value is a value like any other but it’s one that you take on because it was passed down to you from another person or your society/culture more generally. Furthermore, it’s a value that you just sort of accept without too much reflection or deliberation.

For example, polite speech is an inherited value for me. I was taught from a young age that saying please and thank you was the right thing to do. So I did (mostly) and continue to do so. I inherited this from my parents, and because it’s generally seemed to work out well for me, I keep doing it. But if I’m honest, I’ve never really done any major philosophical reflection on why being polite is an important value for me.

Now, here’s the thing: There’s nothing necessarily wrong with inherited values. In fact, all our values are inherited to some degree.

However, it can be dangerous if your entire value system is inherited and assumed without much deliberate reflection.

For example, I was working with a client recently who described how, in her family growing up, obedience to authority was a very important inherited value. And how she had never really questioned this value that was now leading to some major difficulties with anxiety and assertiveness in her adult life.

As part of our work together, we started examining this inherited value to see how it was working (or not working) in her life now. The end result was, she did some major upgrading of that value—meaning, through a lot of reflection and experimentation, she deprioritized obedience as a value in her life which made it far easier for her to work on communicating her needs more assertively and building self-confidence.

Got it. So how, exactly, does this Peter Thiel Question help you know your values?

The Peter Thiel Question— What important truth do very few people agree with you on? —forces you to really look at how many of your values are simply inherited without much conscious reflection or consideration.

What many people who spend some time with this question discover is that they don’t have many—if any—beliefs that most people disagree with them on. And while this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can be a sign that you’re overly conventional or deferential to other people.

And when this is the case—when all or most of your values are inherited without much intentionality—you can end up unhappy and unfulfilled because your own needs, preferences, and desires don’t have a way to be expressed and cultivated.

Now, here’s the thing: This is a question to reflect on over time, not simply ask yourself once. A great practical way you can encourage yourself to really consider this question in a deep way is to write it down on a sticky note and stick it somewhere prominent. On the side of your computer monitor, for example, or your car’s dashboard.

Again, I want to reinforce that there’s nothing wrong per se with inherited values. The trick is to have a good balance of values that you inherit and ones that you discover and construct personally.

Create a Personal Vision Statement

There are a lot of ways to think about a personal vision statement, but the basic idea is this: Sketch out a compelling picture of your best self.

In other words, your personal vision statement is a manifesto for the kind of person you aspire to be.

While the Bucket List Brainstorm was about creating a specific vision for things you wanted to do, a Personal Vision Statement is about creating a specific vision for who you want to be.

And similar to the Bucket List Brainstorm, a personal vision statement can also help you discover patterns and themes that help you know your values.

You can approach the personal vision statement however you like, but here are a few helpful tips to get you started:

• What qualities in yourself do you want to cultivate? Be more patient with my kids. Be a better listener with my friends. Be less judgmental and more compassionate with myself when I make mistakes. Etc.
• What habits do you want to build? Exercise regularly. Do an annual retreat. Stick to one serving of food at dinner. Floss every night. Make time to call up old friends at least once a month. Etc.
• How do you hope other people would describe you when you’re not around? Kind. Helpful. Thoughtful. Decisive. Cheerful. Brutally honest. Compassionate. Gentle. Funny. Supportive. Etc.
• In the story of your life, what are the main obstacles to overcome? My habit of negative self-talk . Being afraid to speak my mind. Pushing away my romantic interests when the relationship starts to get deeper and more emotionally intimate. Etc.
• Who are your personal heroes? Uncle Frank because he’s always taken a genuine interest in me and treated me like an equal, even when I was a kid. Ms. Kidder, my 9th-grade geometry teacher because she always saw the best in people. Etc.

Note: Don’t overthink this or get perfectionistic about it.

• Your personal vision statement can look however you want. It could be half a page long or 20 pages. It could be typed out on an old typewriter, handwritten, or illustrated as a graphic novel. It could be written in a fancy leather journal or typed out in the notes app on your phone.
• You can always update, revise, and revisit your personal vision statement. There’s no “getting it right” when it comes to your personal vision statement. This is something you should just do and then revisit from time to time and update.

In short, creating a personal vision statement just means making a little time to clarify and get specific about who you aspire to be and who you are at your best. When you do this, you can’t help but see all sorts of personal values jump out at you.

Dig Deeper on Your Values with the 5 Whys

The 5 Whys is an old technique used by coaches, therapists, analysts, and many other professionals to get at the root cause of something.

The basic idea is that our explanations for things tend to be rather superficial. Which means we often have to push beyond the superficial explanation to get at the real one.

For example:

• Why did the report not get turned in on time? Because Donny was slacking.
• Why was Donny slacking? Now that I think about it, Donny was covering for Julia, so I guess he had a lot on his plate…
• Why was Donny covering for Julia? She said she needed a mental health day.
• Why did Julia need a mental health day? It looks like she’s taken 3 in the last month… Because she feels overworked.
• Why does she feel overworked? Because there’s no system in place to determine what a normal amount of work is.

So, we went from a relatively lazy and superficial answer to a problem (laziness is almost always a pretty lazy explanation) to a much more deep-seated and structural explanation.

Now, the key idea is that we apply this same process to our values. And this is important because often we have pretty superficial answers to what our personal values are and why they matter.

Here’s an example:

• What’s one of your most important personal values? Being healthy.
• Why is being healthy so important to you? Because my doctor says I need to be healthier.
• Why do you think you need to be healthier? Because I don’t want to die young like my dad.
• Why don’t you want to die young like your dad? Because he missed out on so much of life that he could’ve experienced?
• Why is experiencing as much of life as possible so important to you? I want to spend as much quality time with the people I love as possible.
• Why is spending time with the people you love so important? Gosh, I don’t know… I guess I just love the feeling of having a good conversation with my daughters or joking around about the NBA with my best friend.

Look, there’s nothing wrong per se with being healthy as a value. But if you think about it, it’s a little vague. And one of the downsides to vague values is that they’re not very motivating.

Exercise more regularly is almost always the #1 New Year’s resolution people make. And yet… Very few people follow through. Why? I don’t think it’s because they don’t really value being healthy. I think it’s because they haven’t clarified that value enough.

Being healthy isn’t going to exert enough motivating energy to get you off your warm cozy bed to go run in the cold. But imagining 30+ more years of wonderful conversations with your daughter or good times with your buddies watching basketball just might do the trick.

So, once you’ve identified some core personal values, you can get to know your values even better—and clarify them—by asking them 5 whys and trying to drill down to more specific reasons for why those things are in fact valuable.

Describe the 3 Happiest Days of Your Life

At this point, you’re probably catching on that a key idea when it comes to discovering values is looking for patterns. Because the truth is, you likely already have many values—at least in some basic form. We just need to learn how to see them more clearly and then clarify them a bit.

One useful source of ideas for values discovery is your past—specifically, the best times in your past.

One of my favorite exercises I “prescribe” my own clients is to think about the three happiest days of their life. Then try to remember as much as possible for each:

• Sometimes this involves looking through old photo albums to see what those days were like.
• Sometimes it involves calling up one of the people you spent that day with to get their perspective on what happened and what it was like.
• Sometimes it just means writing down the story of that day (it’s amazing how many details you start to remember when you put a day in story form).

In any case, your very happiest days can often tell you a lot about what you value most.

For example, if all three of your happiest days involved doing something new or creative, that might suggest that creativity is a bigger value in your life than you think.

Or, if all three of your happiest days were noticeably free from time pressure or scheduling constraints, that might be a hint that spontaneity or personal freedom are underappreciated values for you.

Ask a Friend

The final technique I use regularly to help people discover and clarify their personal values involves recruiting close friends and relatives to help you out.

As individual as personal values are, sometimes it takes the outside perspective of someone else to help us realize them. Which means that simply asking other people in your life who know you well might shed some light on your values.

And you can keep it really simple and straightforward. Here are a couple example scripts of how you might ask a friend you help you know your values a little better:

• Hey Tim, I’m taking some time lately to think more about the stuff that really matters to me and my values… This might sound weird but, based on what you know about me, what would you say some of my most important personal values are?
• Hey mom, obviously you’ve known me longer than anyone… This might seem like a funny question but what would you say are some of my biggest or most important values? From your perspective, what matters most to me in my life?

Quick note: depending on the person, they may be able to give you a good, high-quality answer off the top of their head. But it’s likely that some people may need to think about it for a day or do. If the person you ask seems like they’re struggling to answer, give them the out of taking a few days to think about it and let them know you’ll follow up later.

A final thought about values updating

Keep in mind that values are rarely completely static unchanging things.

With a few exceptions, most of our values—especially personal values—can and should change or adjust over time and in different contexts and areas of life. Maybe adventurousness is a really important value in your 20s but as you settle down and start a family, industriousness or intimacy becomes more important. Or maybe not! Maybe precisely because you’ve “settled down” adventurousness becomes even more important than it was when you were young, single and carefree!!

The big implication of this is that discovering and clarifying your personal values is not something you do once and then are done with it. It’s an ongoing process that, ideally, should be a regular part of our lives.

So, in addition to discovering and clarifying your values, I think it’s important to regularly update your personal values. That is, make time to revisit your values and determine their relative importance given where you are personally in your life.

By definition, values are relatively stable things—certainly more stable than passing thoughts, emotions, moods, or preferences. But that doesn’t mean they don’t change or evolve at all.

Everything you need to know

Personal values are the guiding principles that help you navigate your life well, especially when times are tough.

When you know your values and are clear about them, it becomes easier to make good decisions in the face of uncertainty, confusion, or difficult emotions like fear or frustration.

So whatever your particular goals or challenges are, make a little time to reflect on your personal values and get specific with them.

The sense of purpose, clarity, and motivation that comes from knowing your values well is well worth the effort.

UPDATE: If you want to see a really great example of someone applying many of the concepts in this guide, check out this article by Nick Costelloe .

55 Comments

Good article, tnx

Thanks for another fantastic and thought-provoking article, Nick. At the start of 2020, I’d actually done a bucket list and personal vision statement. I’ve gotten off track since then and in the last couple weeks, I’ve been reviewing them to get my motivation back into gear. Sometimes you have to remind yourself of where you want to go and who you want to be when life gets murky and dark. I want more out of my time here on this earth.

Well-said, Allison! Couldn’t agree more.

“What important truth do very few people agree with you on?”…was the only easy question for me to answer in this entire article. Thank you for launching me on a thought provoking mission to discover myself. “Truth is the only thing that matters in life” is my answer to the question.

I agree with you about Truth. It is the first value I have listed fot myself—- And It is so “true” that it is not what most people today seem to value!

Interesting!

Hi Pam, How about I match my honesty with your truth. What is true for you may not be the same for me, whereas being honest about how you feel and what you think gives a true sense of self. What do you think?

Hi Pam, but whose truth? That’s a really interesting response, I personally feel that there are many versions of truth (for example, a group of people of various religions would see their truths very differently). Is it your personal truth, as you see it that is, that’s important to you? I definitely value honesty, but I wouldn’t call any of the people in this imaginary group dishonest – would you? Absolutely fascinating question and definitely one I shall be exploring further with my friends, thanks Nick!

well said, I guess we should just all relate the true to ourselves at first .. though generally truth may be relative !? especially when it comes various points of view

So helpful. Absolutely love this.

Aw, thanks Diana 🙂

I look forward to your weekly emails and always learn something that I want to incorporate into my life. Thank you for sharing your life changing insights in such an accessible and clear way. I love how you approach each topic and provide ideas and a clear format for next steps. You truly have a gift!

Thank you very much, Kristina. I Appreciate you saying so 🙂

Hi Nick, Thank you for your helpful insight to learning more about ourselves and others as this is one of my favorite topics. I have listed my personal values 12 or more years ago after attending several experiential self improvement courses which were very helpful in opening my mind to understand who I am. They still are the same for me today – calm, sensible, logical, reasonable, civilized, orderly, and reassuring. I follow through (or try to when I remember) with these values by beautifying (bring out the essence of loveliness, purity, and truth), by being brave (to venture by expressing my own opinion or trying something new), by being frivolous (spontaneous fun and humor as what’s important doesn’t always have to be serious), by being compassionate (gently honest, kind, tender, forgiving, and understanding), by being intuitive (knowledge from inside myself regardless of what is expected or assumed externally), and by keeping it simple (it’s healthier without all the drama and confusion to distract me from my goals). My question is: Am I not digging deep enough, or did I have beginner’s luck as I have not revised them over time?

Hey Sherry, I thinlk these are wonderful!

I’m not sure it’s a matter of going “deeper” so much as getting more specific. So, for example, regularly “updating” how these values are important in your life (which is always changing!).

Hi Nick Most interesting article, thought provoking. Thank you so much for guiding us to think deeper. You spend a lot of time on your newsletters and it is much appreciated. Best Wishes Rita

You’re very welcome, Rita!

Wow! Thank you for this, Nick. What a gift; just what the doctor ordered.

You bet, Sandrine!

This is a brilliant guide on values Nick. I’ve read a lot about values and done a lot of work on personal, family and relationship values – but some of these exercises were new to me. And this is one of the best practical guides for values I have come across. Thank you and keep up the great work.

Thank you, Scott 🙂

Very Philosophical and yet full of precision and experiential.I feel guilty reading your posts for free. Regds

Haha! Thank you Onti.

Probably an example of Fake Guilt: https://nickwignall.com/guilt/

Thank you for the pertinent, thought provoking description, I will now intentionally identify my most important values. I will search for a list, please let me know if you recommend a good initial and short list.

You’re welcome, Kerri!

Thanks Nick, a very valuable article! I really appreciate your 5 whys to absolute clarity, which give goals and values legs. Thank you.

You bet, Mary!

Very good article. We learned so much from what you have written. Thank you. It was truly helpful and while I was reading it, it made me think of the differences in values. From what we acquired since it has been passed from generation to generation to the values that became innate to us based on how we live, what we experienced and what we consider most important in our life to be our guiding principles and that eventually become our convictions when faced with challenges or problems.

This is really helpful, thanks!

Using your map analogy, I’ve been lost not knowing what my goals are in all aspect of my life. Your article is like finding a digital compass. I need to put some new batteries in so it can point me in the right direction. Thanks for the wonderful article.

This is great. One of many good articles, well broken down. Layman’s terms, systematic, applicable. I love the Peter Thiel Q and your practical steps to drumming into the detail of values. A struggle can be worrying too much that society expectations do not accommodate my authentic values. EG. It’s important to me that I exercise in the middle of the day, but that is when the the nation ‘should’ be working!

Wow, I’m 30 and for the first time, I understand what personal values really are. I’ll share with my friends. Thanks Nick!

This was an extremely thought out and useful article. In my work with clients I always start with values and intentions and use some of these strategies but you added a couple and so succinctly summarized and provided clear and doable take homes. I love it. Thank you. And a focused and meaningful 2021.

A really good one! I’m gonna try a few of these and hope to find a few values for my life (for now)

This is a very thought provoking article. I think it will be helpful to me… but some of the thought provoking prompts you give make me actually “tear up” (weep quietly) — realizing my failings in so many ways. That is not your intention, I am sure. However, perhaps “stirring things up” like this will prove to be cathartic.

Hi Nick – happy new year! Thanks for this article. Once we narrow down our list to about 5-10 values, how do we apply them practically in our daily lives? 🙂

Thank you Nick for yet another amazing post!

Another great article – I loved this and can’t wait to get on it. Thanks, Nick!

Thanks Nick, I really like the idea of flipping my frustrations. Curious to see what that reveals 🙂

Thanks Nick. This is my first visit to your site. Really helpful info. I appreciate your generosity – you may even say I value it!

Thank you for this article Nick, a lot of good value here!

Hey Nick This is a great article to discover and unearth personal values that are important to me. I have been trying to do the exercise of understanding my personal values, it always used to get boring towards the end as I used to end up with inherited values. I am very hopeful that these would help.

I’m just finishing up a masters degree in counselling psychology. This included an 8 month internship as a Psychotherapist at a free clinic.

Your articles are full of useful however, easy to read information. In session, I would typically cover many of the topics that you write about. Subsequently, sharing a link to one of your articles that offered examples and evidence.

Thanks…a bunch! ????

Hello Nick! First one reader here but I already feel a huge relief after reading this. I feel some guidance through my chaos. I was wondering how might one book therapy sessions with you? Is that a possibility?

I am consistently SO IMPRESSED with how fundamental and intellectually sound your unique way of stringing together points is-you make it so easy for me to grab hold of a concept and break it down to small, individual skills that I can easily USE in my every day thinking. And remember why I’m choosing this skill over some other one-I can trace it back to my own “umbrella” value. It becomes easy to put heady, weighty ideals into my daily actions and behavior. It’s – pretty magical.

Dear Nick I really appreciate that sharing this wonderful article with us. You answered one of my difficult question. I was trying to find my personal values for more than a year!! I wrote some things but it was not clear. I was searching for self_awareness and I find your blog. And I red your other articles. And now it’s more than a week I just read and write and of course THINK about your practical solutions AND I finally find my personal values. I am surprised. It was a big step to know myself. It was so helpful. Thank you

What a great article! Have been struggling with my self esteem lately and starting to work on it. This was a thorough article that not only pointed out the problem and the reasons to solve the problem but also the solution to it. Will work through these activities to figure out my current values. All the best to everyone in their personal growth journey! Thanks a lot Nick!

You know … I was going to just give it a light read, just to pass time. Who would’ve thought it’s going to be one of the most valuable reading I’ve ever had. I immediately opened up my private notes and revised my personal values. Heck, I was supposed to go somewhere, but there’s no way I’ll give up this rare bulb light moment.

Thanks a lot, Nick. I had no clue why I never discovered your blog.

While searching for an answer I ended up realizing that the happy times were when I was in high school, when I hung out with my best friend and didn’t overthink. After I fell into depression I swore I would never exercise as much as I used to. I read an article where you said that people who like what they do have more motivation. I agree with that because I was also very disciplined with my exercise regimen. I would wake up early and exercise before school, after school and sometimes at 3 am. Who knew that I would never get to experience that same feeling again. I’ve gone from being confident to downright so insecure ????.

Nick Thank you so much for your gift to the world. What you write about and how you do it is fantastic. I especially appreciate going through one of your writings seeing a highlited word or phrase only to have that open into another really valueable rabbit hole to explore and learn. I actually didn’t come looking for you or your content. I used Medium with the suggestion of my son to publish my own article on how to recover a lost sheltie. After joining the Medium community and getting emails I became curious of what others were writing about. You have been an ah ha moment. You have expanded my way of thinking and ways I have been making myself suffer. You have helped move me further along the road to healing and freedom. For that I am thankful. Blessings on you

The most helpful article i found on inculcating self values and self image… I was struggling so hard on this… Knowing i had borderline traits and not having any self concept was the biggest problem and root of all of this… But not knowing how to work on developing it was more frustrating…. But this article is like a note sent from an angel itself to help me out…. Thank you so much…

Im very happy that Brian Clark provided the link to this article in his Longevity Gains teachings. As I have recently had a very big change of circumstances I have been pretty adrift about what I am doing and where I am going. This article has helped me see a way to get back on track with what is important to ME. Thank you for the steps. I will be coming back to this article as a refresher in the future.

Nick, you are wonderfully creative on all the things you have touched.

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100 Examples of Personal Core Values List [2024 Updated List]

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Did you know that the average adult makes 35,000 decisions per day?

And, fun fact: 226.7 of these decisions are based on food alone.

But what guides the process behind making the choices that you do? What influences your decisions?

If you stop to think about why you have chosen your career path or the city in which you live, you will realize that your core values start to come into play.

Your personal core values are what encompass your foundational beliefs, which then dictate your behavior and guide you to make the decisions that you do.

Your values are broad concepts that can be reapplied many times over in your life in various situations to guide your actions.

Your core values are not something that you choose for yourself. Rather, they’re feelings and beliefs that operate in the background of your mind and influence your behavior. You discover what your values are through life experiences and during the process of building self-awareness.

In this article, I will give you a step-by-step guide on how to discover your own personal core values. Then, I will offer 100 examples of personal core values, each with a short explanation, so you can determine which values resonate with you.

Table of Contents

Why Are Core Values Important?

Having personal core values is important for personal development because they help you make intelligent decisions that are going to work in your favor by playing into your strengths, wants, and needs.

When looking at your path toward personal development , you have to keep your personal core values in mind to help you achieve your goals. Without reflecting upon your values, you will simply react to circumstances by making careless decisions that will hold you back in the long run. 

For example, let’s say you get offered a job two hours away from home and you immediately take it because it will result in a salary increase. You don’t consider any other factors or implications, you just assume that a salary increase means a better life.

However, three months into the job, you realize the cost of living in the new city is much higher, your commute is twice as long, and you really miss seeing your family throughout the week.

Without stopping to really consider your personal core values before accepting the job offer, you unintentionally took a big step backward in terms of personal development.

When you’re aware of your core values, the road to personal development will be much easier because you will innately know what factors in your life you want to focus on in order to be fulfilled.

Your goals will be clear because you will recognize your passions and what makes you happy, and you will align your actions with your skills in order to ultimately be successful.

However, as we mentioned, your personal core values are something that you discover, not something that you choose. So how are you supposed to know what these are and therefore live accordingly?

This may happen by chance. When I was in my late teens, I lived a rather unhealthy lifestyle. I ate a lot of fast food, never considered going to the gym, would park myself in front of the television for hours, and stay out late with my friends, leaving me with little time to sleep.

It wasn’t long before this lifestyle caught up with me. I became very ill, and my routine–and priorities–had to take a quick turn.

My focus turned from French fries to green smoothies and my love for reality television transitioned into a love for running.

While I still loved to spend time with my friends, I turned more of that energy toward my family and became mindful and present at family dinners, listening to what was going on in everyone’s lives rather than sneaking text messages under the table and rushing out at soon as the plates were cleared.

I realized that my personal core values revolved around my physical and mental health. Discovering this sense of clarity dramatically changed my life. Not only did my diet and exercise regimen change, I was also better equipped to make everyday choices that were in my own best interest.

For example, at 18, when faced with a large pizza and some cupcakes, I would tell myself, “I’ll probably regret this later” but that wouldn’t stop me from digging in.

Now, I don’t have to fight an internal battle with impulse control because I know these things aren’t good for me, and enjoying the taste of these types of food for 2 minutes is not a price I am willing to pay for the cost in the end. Instead, I continue to live a healthy lifestyle because it supports my personal core values.

When it comes to my own personal development, living in line with my core values has catapulted me into a life that I consider to be fulfilling and successful, which ultimately is the only person who matters in this equation.

Let’s start by taking a look at how you can discover your own core values. You may think that your values should be obvious to you, but the truth is, most people don’t just automatically know their core values without doing some self-discovery.

Rather, people assume that whatever their society or culture values pretty much sums up what is important to them as well.  If the norm is to graduate from college, get married, have a baby, and live happily ever after is what people just do, that must be what you want to do then too…right?

It‘s easy to come up with a list of things that you should value. But actually discovering what you truly value takes some effort.

RELATED: Habits that Stick!

Want to build a new habit that will stick for the rest of your lifetime? In this video, you will discover a simple 9-step process about building habits that you can immediately implement.

How to Discover Your Core Values

Step 1: do some self-reflection..

Reading lists of values can be helpful if you’re looking for ideas regarding the things in life that other people consider to be their core values.

While you won’t be able to choose your favorite 5 out of 10 (for example) and call them your own, you will notice some values that stand out from the others and resonate with you.

As you’re doing some self-reflection, think about some moments in your life that have been especially meaningful to you or experiences that you consider to be a highlight of your life. What was going on during those times, who were you with, and what were you doing?

Alternatively, think about the exact opposite–the times in your life where you were angry or frustrated. What was causing the frustration? Was a value being suppressed?

For example, have you been miserable in a job where you were micromanaged and monitored constantly? This may help you realize that you value autonomy and a sense of freedom.

Finally, what gives you a sense of fulfillment in your life? Being creative? Going on adventures? Learning new things? These would be things that are of particular value to you.

Write down all of the values that you have come up with so far.

(You can also take these free core values quizzes or answer these core values worksheets to help you get started.)

Step 2: Consolidate.

Identify themes from the large list of values that you just created and create some groups.

For example, if you have loyalty, commitment, and honesty all listed, group them together to create a core value of “human relationships”. Or, if you have optimism, motivation, and inspiration all on your list, you can call that something such as “progress”.

Step 3: Identify your principal core values.

There are a few things that you can then consider in order to reduce your list even further. Which values that you’ve listed are a fundamental part of your life? Which ones define your everyday actions and long term goals?

Because everyone is unique, your personal core values truly only matter to you. You know your strengths and weaknesses and how your priorities play into supporting the areas of your life in which you excel.

Choose only 5 core values off of your list. If you have too few, your unique core values won’t define your individuality. However, if you have too many, you won’t put the amount of focus on any of them that is needed in order to leverage your personal development.

Step 4: Rank them.

Pick the value that is of most importance to you and go down from there. Once you have come up with your ranking, wait a few days and look at your list again.

See if you still feel like you have ranked your core values in the right order, or take some time to move some around. This may take several tries before you feel absolutely confident.

Treat this as a living document. You can always revisit your values and analyze how they make you feel. While some of your values may be very consistent with the person you are today, that may change over a period of time. You should always be sure that your values feel personal and unique to your identity.

To ensure that you’re living in line with your personal core values, refer to the list that you have created every month and rate yourself on how well you’re honoring each value on an everyday basis.

If your level of satisfaction with one of your values declines over time, consider some changes that you could make to improve on this. Create some action steps that will deliberately bring you closer to living in line with your values.

For example, if one of your values is progress or learning and you don’t feel like you have gained any new knowledge or experiences lately, make the decision to read 2 books per month until you feel like your personal rating begins to improve.

Now that you know how to create your core personal values, let’s look at some core value examples that may give you some insight into what you truly value in your own life.

100 Examples of Core Values

Whomever you consider to be your “family” may be a primary value to you because they provide you with support and companionship.

Family is often a core value in people’s lives and influences decisions such as where to live and how to celebrate holidays. ( Learn how to discover your family's core values in this post. )

2. Creativity

If you value creativity, you enjoy using your imagination to solve problems or generate new ideas. Valuing creativity supports your ability to make a change in society that other people find significant.

3. Communication

Valuing communication involves not only having information relayed properly to you, but also ensuring that your own thoughts are effectively heard by other people.

4. Achievement

Accomplishing something in your life or work that is noteworthy could be something that adds a unique sense of value to your life. Your achievement values impact your motivation because your incentive to work outweighs the cost of doing so.

5. Competition

Holding a value of competition means that you are able to gain energy through a sense of rivalry to be the most respected in a domain. But it's important to learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy competition .

6. Self-Confidence

Having this value involves being successful in such a way that you recognize your skills are making a positive contribution to your community or those around you.

7. Structure

Valuing structure involves having a sense of control over your surroundings and exercising discipline to maintain an acceptable level of restriction.

8. Decision-Making

Taking personal responsibility for initiating a course of action may be of high value to you. This means that you find it fulfilling to act according to your own conscience without having to be prompted by an external force.

9. Education

Aside from achieving a certification of educational accomplishment, valuing education involves the process of being a lifelong learner and continuing to gain understanding through perceptive insight.

10. Congruence

This involves being true to your authentic self and communicating to others externally in a way that matches your internal thoughts and feelings.

11. Tradition

Valuing tradition would involve ritualizing some sort of history in your life to add a sense of enrichment, and passing that on to subsequent generations.

12. Trusting Relationships

Valuing trusting relationships means that one of your top priorities is to be able to express your thoughts and feelings in a mutually trusting environment where you and the other person have confidence in the integrity of one another.

13. Service

When one of your personal core values is service, you find a sense of fulfillment in sharing your talents or abilities with others in a way that is beneficial to their lives, and you’re willing to contribute to your society without expecting anything in return.

14. Responsibility

Some people strongly value having a sense of sole personal accountability for the success of a specific area of their community or group. This often promotes self-confidence and can lead to a deep sense of accomplishment.

15. Perseverance

People who become very successful have undoubtedly failed more often throughout their lives than many others have even tried. It is easy to quit, but perseverance pays off.

16. Consistency

Consistency often gives people reassurance in the decisions that they make because they can rely on a certain process that they’re used to. ( Read our post about the rules of consistency. )

This should not be overlooked when it comes to values, as humor can make a big difference in lightening the load of a difficult situation. When used appropriately, humor can be an effective tool.

18. Freedom

This is a value that most people hold close to their hearts–and it doesn’t only involve valuing your own freedom–it also encompasses advocating from freedom if you ever see an opportunity to do so.

19. Confidence

Being confident often helps people trust you and your decisions. When you value confidence, it suggests you also value competence.

20. Diversity

Diversity isn’t only about accepting people from different cultures; it is about seeking out opportunities to interact with people who have various backgrounds in order to learn new perspectives.

21. Resilience

How easy is it for you to cope with adversity? If you value resilience, you strive to be flexible, go with the flow, and bounce back after things don’t go your way.

22. Simplicity

People tend to make things more complicated than they need to be. Those who prefer to keep things straightforward are those who value simplicity.

If you want to learn more about how to live simply, here are the best books on minimalism to help you start simplifying your life .

Valuing faith can look different to everybody, but it often refers to believing that everything will work out the way that it is supposed to. When you value faith, you will allow your beliefs to guide your decisions.

24. Balance

If one of your personal core values is balance, you prevent any one thing from taking over your life. Between your career, family, friends, and hobbies, you make sure to keep your own personal enjoyment in mind and you level out your stress with relaxation.

25. Happiness

While this may seem obvious, many people don’t take the time to truly find what makes them happy to then be able to plan their lives around those things.

26. Risk-Taking

If you value taking risks, you know that if you follow your gut, there is a chance that it will lead to a huge payoff. You’re not afraid to face the option of failing if there is also an option for success.

27. Imagination

Valuing imagination can be a huge advantage to anyone in our fast-paced society. Being able to come up with an idea that no one else has thought of before can be a huge part of being successful.

28. Intelligence

Valuing intelligence isn’t just acknowledging your natural born ability to understand concepts. It involves constantly yearning to learn more.

29. Approachability

People who hold a personal core value of being approachable want others to feel free to come to them with problems. People who want to be approachable often easily gain the trust of other people.

30. Originality

Valuing originality means that you walk your own path and stray away from what everyone else seems to be doing. This value comes naturally and can usually be seen through art or creativity.

People who value growth are never willing to settle and always look for an opportunity to learn in the face of adversity.

32. Compliance

Being compliant does not mean you’re weak. There is a lot of value in having the ability to follow directions or take the advice of a superior.

33. Inner Peace

This personal core value refers to the ability to be comfortable with yourself, the people around you, and being accepting of the life you’re living.

34. Fitness

Valuing fitness will help you give energy toward the other values in your life. If your body is healthy, your mind can be healthy as well.

35. Collaboration

Working together by sharing your ideas with others can result in accomplishing something great. Collaborating with others will often lead to something that is greater than the sum of its parts.

36. Self-Awareness

This is a very important core value to have, as it lets you realize when you’ve messed up and pinpoint how you can fix your mistakes in the future.

Having self-awareness also means you know why you react to certain situations in the way that you do and recognize triggers that may lead to certain emotions.

Valuing wisdom isn’t just about putting an emphasis on knowledge. It is also about having your knowledge stand the test of time and being able to reflect on your experiences to exact your knowledge .

38. Fairness

While it is true that people say life is not fair, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t strive to make it that way. When you value fairness, you can also establish trust and dependability with other people.

39. Sincerity

This can go hand-in-hand with honesty, but it also involves being authentic in everything you say and avoiding putting on any type of front to impress other people.

40. Justice

Valuing justice means that you feel a personal sense of responsibility to achieve equality in the world and you feel compassion for those who are not treated fairly.

( Learning about confirmation bias is a step in the right direction if you want to treat other fairly.)

41. Conservation

Wanting to conserve what you currently have and not constantly seeking more resources to consume is an important value to have. When you value conservation, there is a good chance that you are satisfied with the things you have and content in your life.

42. Community

Valuing community means striving to create a sense of belongingness in your surroundings and being willing to give back to places that have contributed to who you are today.

43. Consideration

Being considerate of others, even if they aren’t around, is a strong value to have. This means leaving places better than you found them and keeping other people’s needs in mind.

44. Modesty

If you value modesty, you let your actions speak for themselves and avoid boasting about your abilities.

45. Passion

Having enthusiasm for living your life on your own terms will ensure that you also have the determination that is needed to succeed. ( Check out this post about passion project ideas. )

46. Confidence

Your confidence is the sense of value that you place on yourself and the faith you have in your own capabilities. It gives you the strength to pursue what you want in life.

47. A Positive Mindset

Staying positive and looking for the silver lining in any troubles that you face can help you achieve your desired results.

48. Open-Mindedness

Even if you don’t think you will agree with an idea or concept, being able to consider it and be willing to entertain a variety of ideas is a good value to have.

Being able to tell things like they are is a helpful core value because many people shy away from the truth in fear of hurting others or becoming chastised.

50. Longevity

Those who value longevity seek to live in a healthy way in order to spend more time on earth with the ones they love.

Knowing when to stop is a huge factor in success. You need to rest your body and your mind to be on top of your game when it really counts.

52. Punctuality

The thing about valuing punctuality is that it shows a great respect for other people’s time as well. This allows people to depend on you and hopefully have a mutual respect for your time as well.

53. Education

Those who value education know that it is never too late to learn–even in a formal learning environment.

54. Professionalism

This isn’t just about knowing how to act professionally in the workplace. It is also about knowing how to be polite , use good manners, and be dependable in your everyday life.

55. Frugality

Having a natural tendency to spend money conservatively suggests that you value frugality. This also means you’re looking toward the future and not focusing on immediate satisfaction.

56. Stillness

Embracing silence or calmness can not only be a great value to have, but also a great skill. Those who know when to speak and when to listen are often highly respected.

57. Objectivity

It is helpful to value objectivity in the workplace because it means you’re willing to look at the facts when you’re confronted with a conflict. You’re able to put your emotions and personal involvement aside.

58. Bravery

When one of your personal core values is bravery, it means that you always do the right thing, even if you’re the only person making the tough decision.

59. Patience

Valuing patience means recognizing the fact that sometimes the only thing that can make something work out in your favor is time.

60. Composure

The ability to remain calm in the face of adversity and control your emotions helps people trust you and feel like you’re a reliable and poised person.

Whether you value wealth to be able to provide for your family or to be able to live a peaceful life, this is a personal core value that isn’t as selfish as it may sound.

62. Adventure

Those who value adventure lead rich and exciting lives by seeking out new experiences to expand their skills and existence.

63. Playfulness

If you can really appreciate a good break from hard work to have a laugh, you probably value playfulness. Letting your mind relax is healthy in order to be really effective once you get back to work.

64. Assertion

Those who value being assertive know what they want, act quickly to obtain it, and do what they have to do to be successful. 

65. Novelty

Some value the pursuit of new challenges, circumstances, and experiences in life. If you live in the same town where you were born and tend to stick to a routine, novelty is likely not one of your personal core values.

66. Generosity

If you value generosity, you understand that it doesn’t just involve giving other people money or tangible items. You can also be generous with your time, compassion, and energy.

67. Determination

Refusing to give up when things get tough changes challenging situations into opportunities for triumph.

68. Orderliness

Many people have a hard time making any personal progress if they’re living in a chaotic environment. Cleanliness and orderliness are often values people hold to maintain a calm state of mind .

69. Honesty

It is very difficult to repair a bad reputation, especially if it is one that suggests you cannot be trusted. Telling the truth and sticking to your word are both critical in the long run, which makes diligently protecting your reputation an important value. ( Check this collection of honesty quotes. )

70. Acceptance

Our world has billions of people in it–all of whom are somehow unique. Being able to accept people who are completely different from you can help increase the pleasure and enlightenment in your life.

Update to Core Values List

71. Environmental Sustainability

Both individuals and companies are becoming increasingly concerned about environmental sustainability to protect the earth for future generations in addition to our own.

According to the EPA , air pollution can increase one’s risk of suffering from health issues such as heart attacks, lung disease, and premature mortality.

Further, the CDC has reported that the pollution in water can increase one’s risks of developing gastrointestinal illnesses, reproductive issues, and neurological disorders.

Considering that the environment can be harming us if it’s not properly cared for has made environmental sustainability a common value among people.

72. Patriotism

Many people living in America value freedom and patriotism to our country. Now, not everyone who values patriotism is constantly waving American flags. It’s more about learning from our past mistakes and being vigilant about considering if the country is headed in the right direction.

Patriotism is a spirit of camaraderie for others who live in this country, regardless of their background. Valuing patriotism is about knowing when the country is fumbling and doing your part to make it a better place.

73. Efficiency

Valuing efficiency means knowing how to work smarter, not harder . When people are able to work together in balance, work can flow smoothly and things can get done.

Valuing this type of operational excellence–whether that is for a group or an individual–means always being prepared for change and improvement in your work.

74. Courage

As one of the principal characteristics of leadership, courage guarantees a lot of other great qualities in a leader. Courage demonstrates confidence and a willingness to use your voice to influence others .

Courage is an important value to have because it defines your decision to act according to your values and work toward your goals instead of letting yourself be distracted or allured by irrelevant and potentially harmful temptations.

75. Respect

Giving and receiving respect is important because it fosters a sense of connection between people and it makes us feel comfortable expressing ourselves to others.

Valuing respect means you’re able to accept other people, despite their difference in background or beliefs from your own. Having respect helps build feelings of trust, security, and safety.

76. Commitment

People commit to things that they believe in–whether that’s a relationship, a new opportunity, or anything else that seems truly promising.

Those who value commitment are good at managing both personal and professional relationships, especially when it comes to handling conflicts, building a sense of trust, collaborating with others, and working well on a team. When commitment is on your list of values, you likely also have:

• A strong work ethic
• Feelings of accountability

77. Independence

Valuing your independence doesn’t mean that you never rely on other people for anything. It simply means that you have the ability to give something meaningful back whenever you take from someone else.  

Independence gives you control over your own life and it makes you a creator rather than a user .

Check out this downloadable adulting checklist to help you in your journey to independent.

78. Inclusiveness

Inclusion is a value that focuses on accepting diversity– it supports real opportunities for all people to form meaningful relationships .

Just over the last two decades, people’s rights have evolved through policies and laws that require services to offer accommodations allowing everyone to participate. However, inclusion will never be fully realized until people live in line with these policies.

Inclusiveness is about having positive interactions with other people and valuing everyone for who they are. That said, it has to be intrinsically motivated and derive from holding the belief that everyone has value and a right to belong.

79. Accuracy

Whether you’re working with data at work or in your personal life, valuing accuracy allows you to gain the necessary insight to make the best decisions .

While some people and companies focus a great deal of attention on getting as much information as possible, the information gathered is not always correct, and often people gain knowledge that they don’t even know what to do with.

But if you value accuracy, you will be less likely to make errors or waste time with useless information.

80. Altruism

Those who value altruism have an unselfish concern for other people. They perform random acts of kindness on a regular basis and do things to help others for the sole reason of benefitting someone else in some way.

Valuing altruism means you don’t feel obligated to do anything for others due to having a sense of loyalty or even for religious reasons. If you make it a priority to do selfless acts , you value altruism. 

81. Calmness

Valuing calmness helps you stay relatively relaxed and think logically during high-pressure situations.

This is an important value to hold if you often face adversity, because with a calm mind, you can have mental clarity and find solutions to problems you’re facing by making reasonable decisions or compromises with other people rather than fighting.

This article offers some tips to help you calm your mind if you feel like it’s constantly racing.

Your talents are your abilities, skills, and competencies that govern what you can do. With a growth mindset, you work on developing your talents over time because you know that you can. When you value talent in yourself and in others, you can optimize your time by working in line with your realized value.

If you happen to have true talent in a specific area–either personally or professionally–you also possess a great amount of intrinsic value that can have a strong positive impact on your life.

83. Tradition

Think of your family traditions for holidays, birthdays, or even just summer nights. If you value tradition, you’re likely to teach these things to future generations of your family to keep the traditions going.

Many people value tradition because it helps define the uniqueness of a family or any type of tight-knit community.

84. Persistence

As a runner, persistence is a personal value of mine. Persistence is the determination to keep going, regardless of how you feel. Even if you feel like quitting, you keep working because you know success doesn’t come without a cost.

Valuing persistence is a motivating factor in continuing to take action on the days that you want to quit, which allows you to keep accumulating results. With persistence, you press on until you achieve whatever goal you’re working toward.

The value of unity is that everyone on a team or in a group setting is respected. Unity breeds cooperation, increases people’s enthusiasm, and furnishes an empowering atmosphere. When you value unity, you believe in fostering a sense of belonging and improving everyone’s wellbeing.

86. Tolerance

Valuing tolerance goes beyond having an ability to “put up” with something. When you value tolerance, it means you have a positive view toward relationships among people who differ from each other. Tolerance can be linked to respect, equality, and independence.

Valuing tolerance makes it possible for conflicting beliefs and ideas to coexist, as long as they lie within common moral values. Tolerance is a critical component in social unity and can be a remedy to prejudice.

87. Authenticity

Not valuing authenticity, especially when it comes to your own actions, can result in anxiety, frustration, depression, and a loss of meaning in your life .

Many people present themselves in a way they believe is the most socially acceptable or in a way that they think other people want them to present themselves.

While we all try to abide by social norms, taking the time to reflect on the person you really are will allow you to become the best version of yourself and live a fulfilling life.

88. Challenge

Valuing challenge and continually finding different avenues to challenge yourself is one of the best ways to ensure consistent personal growth .

Facing challenges allows you opportunities to thrive and push yourself beyond what you once believed to be your limits to accomplish things and make progress. The more willing you are to face challenges, the richer your life will be.

89. Recognition

Valuing recognition of your work means that you know its importance and you want other people to see that as well. You want confirmation of its importance to the world.

This doesn’t mean that you always feel like you need to be praised, it’s simply a value that means you feel a sense of satisfaction when you’re reassured that you’re adding value to some sort of domain. Being recognized for your work helps you stay motivated to maintain–or even improve–your performance.

90. Security

Security of oneself as a value is clear these days with the increase in methods of personal identity safekeeping.

And, with one burglary happening every 13 seconds , people also value the security of their homes. People want to minimize their risk of being a victim of any type of security threat, which makes this a common value.

91. Self-Respect

Those who value self-respect know when to say “no” to anything in their lives that is emotionally, mentally, or financially unhealthy.  Valuing self-respect means knowing your worth, your value, and being willing to advocate for yourself whenever necessary.

Given these beliefs, you’re able to set boundaries with other people and draw a firm line in regard to how you will and won’t be treated.

92. Moderation

Our brains are quick to become accustomed to any type of stimulation. In fact, our bodies are too . This is why doing the exact same workout every day wouldn’t continue to produce results six months after starting the routine.

This is also why people go through that honeymoon phase when they meet a new partner. Your brain always wants more.

However, this often leads to things that are unhealthy– more junk food , more alcohol, more Netflix…

However, if you value moderation, you will find that you’re able to experience more fulfillment and gratification from everyday things. You won’t need to be searching for extremes to find some type of brain rush.

93. Continuous Learning

People who value continuous learning are the same people who value self-improvement and continued success. With access to information at our fingertips, those who value continuous learning are in luck, as the ability to teach oneself about any topic is simple.

94. Restraint

Restraint naturally emerges in the short pause your body takes after breathing in and before breathing out.

Your mind and body both know how to pause before taking action, allowing you the time to generate awareness and consider the results of your next move before choosing to take it.

Valuing this ability to pause helps you make decisions in a deeper state of awareness to determine the best course of action.

95. Preparedness

There are certainly some things in life that you can never prepare for, but by valuing this quality, people are able to either avoid or mitigate unwelcomed circumstances. Identifying risks in any area of your life and coming up with potential plans for action is rarely something that is regretted.

( Here are some examples of personal development plan templates that can help you prepare. )

96.Versatility

Our society loves “things”. We love extra features, “all-in-one” products, and things of the sort–and we also love saving money . Putting those two things together undoubtedly makes versatility a common value among people.

Recycling and repurposing are popular ways in which people act on their value of versatility, as reusing older products to make something “new” or completely starting from scratch with used materials are both environmentally sustainable practices, which are also valued among people. 

97. Partnership

When you value partnership, you also value collaboration, respect, teamwork, and loyalty. Whether it’s in a business or a personal setting, valuing partnership sets the stage for various ideas and opinions to come together to create something better than the sum of its parts.

98. Responsiveness

Responsiveness is an important value that seems to have gone missing from many people, both personally and professionally. And, with the endless ways to get in touch these days, it’s surprising that some people simply fail to do so.

Those who value responsiveness make it a point to answer others’ inquiries in a timely manner because that is how they prefer people to respond to them. Valuing responsiveness is also about valuing respect for other people and their time.

Valuing grace means living a life of unconditional love and gratitude. Having grace is at the core of connecting with other people, as it allows you to understand, empathize, and forgive. Many who value grace find it to offer a sense of healing.

100. Innovation

Innovation is an important value to some because it encompasses forward thinking and the advancement of society by solving collective problems using methods that are both sustainable and efficient, typically with new technology.

Whether you’re engaging in incremental innovation by improving something that already exists, or radical innovation by finding an entirely new way of doing something, valuing innovation means never being complacent by accepting the status quo.

Final Thoughts on Your Core Values

Your core values should be personal to you, as they make up a unique formula to create success in your life.

Consider this list of values and take notice which ones resonate with you. Then be mindful of how you’re living your life in line with the values that you choose and take action if you need to make some adjustments in your life that will help you be more true to your personal values.

And once you figure out your core values, invite more positive things into your life by turning it into a meaningful life motto .

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals .

Connie Mathers is a professional editor and freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. When she is not writing, Connie is either spending time with her daughter and two dogs, running, or working at her full-time job as a social worker in Richmond, VA.

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How to Discuss Family Values in Your Personal Statement

• college application essays
• essay topic

Are you talking about your family background and values in your personal statement? Are you having trouble demonstrating how that’s related to your own personal growth and and aspirations? Here are 5 personal statement examples from UPenn , Harvard , Stanford and USC to help you:

Harvard University ‘17

“So are you white or are you black?” I’ve been asked this question a lot, and many others like it. People always seem to be curious about my background, either when they see my voluminous, golden-brown curls or notice that I took my mother’s last name. Over time, as I’ve tried to make sense of my unconventional upbringing and the impact it has had on me, I’ve realized that my identity doesn’t fit into a specific category or label, but requires a much lengthier explanation. Keep reading.  

University of Pennsylvania ‘17

I may not be an inventor, but I must have some innovative blood and a genetic drive to make life better. As a young boy, my great great uncle, Chester Greenwood was known for his ears; Maine winters turned them deep purple, sickly white, and even blue on the coldest days of the year. One frigid day, Chester sewed balls of fur onto a wire loop and went out to ice skate wearing his homemade earmuffs. His friends marveled at the invention. Four years later, the Greenwood’s Ear Protectors factory was operating 24 hours per day and warming every ear in New England. Read more.  

University of Southern California ‘16

Growing up in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood in Los Angeles, I have struggled to balance three different cultures in a multi-ethnic city.  Bullying by my classmates led me to view my own Chinese culture as something alien, something to be ashamed of. I abandoned the native Cantonese dialect I was born speaking, and strove to learn English and even Spanish as much as I could. I always resisted going to Chinese school every weekend when I was a child, feeling that learning Chinese was an unnecessary burden that took me away from my Saturday morning cartoons, which every one of my classmates watched. It is, however, through these weekend classes that I have been able to maintain my own culture, my identity. Continue reading.  

Stanford University ‘17

Standing on the stage in front of the hushed crowd, stage fright consumes my body and fear pumps through my veins, but suddenly an angelic voice, singing in an unrecognizable language, captivates my soul. At the same time I gaze down at myself, dressed in a soft blue dress, a white apron drapes from my waist and a matching handkerchief wraps my neck. Traditional beaded earrings dangle from my ears and a blue and white beaded medallion adorns my neck. I see the white moccasins on my feet and I understand. In this moment I realize how truly unique the culture and heritage of the Choctaw people, my people, is. Read more.  

On Being a Hybrid

I have given a lot of thought to writing about being a hybrid. Not a car, mind you, like a Prius, but a hybrid of race. Sure, I am technically one hundred percent Hispanic, as my last name indicates, but sometimes I feel like I am in between cultures. View full profile.  

Liked these essay intros? Unlock them all in one go in this family values package . Brainstorm and think carefully about what you want to write in your personal statement and how you want to share your own, unique story. For more inspiration, AdmitSee has a database of 60,000+ successful  college applications files  waiting for you! 

About The Author

Frances was born in Hong Kong and received her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. She loves super sad drama television, cooking, and reading. Her favorite person on Earth isn’t actually a member of the AdmitSee team - it’s her dog Cooper.

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Last week, Prompt's CEO shared what mistakes to avoid in your college essay. In Part 2 of this two-part blog series, learn how to pick an essay topic. The key: focus on an admissions officer’s...

With an otherwise great college application, how important can college essays really be? When only 1 in 5 students applying to selective colleges have compelling essays, make sure you avoid this essay mistake....

In this second part of his two-part series, college admissions coach Justin Taylor explains key admissions lessons from 2020, an unprecedented year of firsts, that can help you strategize as we enter into this next application...

In Part one of this two-part series, college admissions coach Justin Taylor explains key lessons about 2020, “a year like no other,” that could seriously boost your chances in 2021, including smarter list building and transcript GPA...

We are so excited to announce that for this year’s scholarship, we selected five scholarship winners to maximize the impact of our $5,000 college scholarship prize money....

• 1. Webinar Series: College Application Prep for High School Juniors
• 2. College Application Lessons from 2020-2021: Strategizing through Covid Changes (Part 2)
• 3. College Admissions Lessons from 2020-2021: Strategizing through Covid Changes (Part 1)

• 5. COVID-19 and Your College Essay: Should You Write About It?
• 6. College Search: How to Find Your Best College Fit
• 7. College Tours 101: Everything You Need to Know
• 8. Waitlisted? 5 Ways to Move from the College Waitlist to Acceptance
• 9. When (and why) should you send additional materials to colleges you’re interested in?
• 10. How to Make Your College Essay Stand Out
• 1. How to Write College Essays to Boost your Chances Part 2: Focusing the Priority
• 2. How to Write College Essays to Boost your Chances Part 1: Biggest Essay Mistakes
• 3. College Application Lessons from 2020-2021: Strategizing through Covid Changes (Part 2)
• 5. Winners of the AdmitSee 2020 College Scholarship
• 6. COVID-19 and Your College Essay: Should You Write About It?
• 7. Education, Access and Systemic Racism
• 8. Applying to BS/MD Direct Medical Programs: Why Early Med School Admission Might be Right for You
• 9. How to Get Off the College Waitlist (5 Go-To Strategies)
• 10. College admissions prep during the Coronavirus