Welcome back, friend!
In case you missed the posts before, here they are:
In the last post, we learned about what values are and why it’s important to know what your values are.
In this post, we’ll do an exercise to help you identify your core values.
What You’ll Need:
- 10 – 20 minutes of uninterrupted time (if you have more, even better)
- pen and paper/ notepad on your phone
Understanding your core values is pivotal to living a purpose-driven life. This exercise is designed to help you uncover these values through a series of thoughtful prompts and reflections.
Step 1: Reflect on Meaningful Moments
Think about moments in your life when you felt truly content, fulfilled, or at peace. These moments might be associated with accomplishments, interactions, or experiences. Consider:
- What was happening during these moments?
- Why did they feel significant to you?
- Which aspects of these moments made them stand out?
Write down the key elements or themes from these memorable occasions. These might include words like “connection,” “creativity,” “compassion,” or “achievement.”
For me, one moment that stands out is winning my sister’s colouring competition when she was in second grade. She won a cute brown teddy bear piggy bank that sadly broke many years down the road but that’s a story for another day. I was at peace when I was colouring the pond, water, reeds, frog and lily pad. It’s awesome that she won, but what was more awesome was that I realized that I have a natural talent for colouring. So my value from this experience would be “creativity” amongst others.
Step 2: Explore Personal Traits
Consider qualities or traits you admire in others or aspire to embody yourself. Reflect on individuals you respect and why you hold them in high regard. Ask yourself:
- What admirable qualities do these individuals possess?
- Which traits resonate deeply with you?
- How do these traits align with your personal beliefs or aspirations?
Jot down these traits and qualities that resonate with you, such as “integrity,” “perseverance,” “open-mindedness,” or “authenticity.”
For me, David Goggins embodies resilience. That man is a mean-machine. He has been through a traumatic childhood and still managed to accomplish things few have. He has no time for soft talk but tells it like it is. I appreciate how quickly he gets back up when life knocks him down. I aspire to be as resilient albeit with more self-love talk than him (^^,)
Step 3: Narrowing Down
Review the themes, words, or qualities you’ve identified in Steps 1 and 2. Take a moment to prioritize or group these elements based on their significance to you. Ask yourself:
- Which values feel most essential or non-negotiable to you?
- Are there any recurring themes or overlapping values in your list?
- Can you condense or refine your list to capture your core values more succinctly?
For this exercise, aim to shorten your list to a few core values that resonate deeply with who you are and what you strive for in life. Think of 3-5 core values so you’re not overwhelmed. You can start with a top 10 and trickle down from there.
According to the VIA Institute on Character, my top 5 strengths(values) are:
- Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence
- Creativity
- Judgment
- Kindness
- Love of learning
How accurate is this? 110%.
Those who know me well know how much I love beautiful things, be it natural or man-made. Excellence is something I appreciate and strive to exhibit in my life.
Told you I was creative, didn’t I? lol
As for judgment, I take a while to make a decision, thinking things through and examining all possible sides without jumping to conclusions and I’m able to change my mind when I find new evidence that supports the new change in thinking.
One of the qualities I hear a lot of people telling me is that I am kind and I am humbled and grateful for that. I hate seeing people in distress, feeling like they’re not worthy and I’ll willingly help you feel like the amazing person you are.
Lastly, yes, I love learning and have done courses in everything under the sun, ranging from software engineering to data science, UX research, international relations marketing and writing. Okay, so I haven’t done rocket science (YET) but I’m going to soon enough 🙂
When I tell you this is the most accurate test I’ve taken, it’s no lie. Take the FREE test here and let me know what yours are: https://www.viacharacter.org/.
Takeaway
Identifying your core values is an ongoing process that requires reflection and introspection. This exercise serves as a starting point to uncover the values that truly define you. Embrace this journey of self-discovery as you delve deeper into what matters most to you.
In the next post, we’ll look at a reflective exercise that will help you map your values.
What are YOUR core values after doing this exercise? Share with me on LinkedIn (I’d love to know) or with a friend!
If you’d like more help, use my FREE Notion Personal Values Inventory Template to help you uncover your core values: https://rectangular-goldfish-439.notion.site/Personal-Values-Inventory-Template-582c715f662f4088acaa1d9019e04aea
If this resonated with you and you’d like an in-depth review of getting to your core values, book a FREE Discovery call with me here: https://calendly.com/lazoliabuzuzi/30min?month=2024-01
