Discover your core values and live a life you love

Knowing your values and what’s important to you helps you navigate life’s decisions. They guide your behaviours and support you to lead an authentic life. So, it’s worth taking the time to figure out what your values are!

How do we do that??

Let us talk you through the process of discovery. Be warned – this requires some thinking. Grab a pen and paper!?

Step 1: Identify meaningful moments

Look back at a time when you were happy, proud or fulfilled. What were you doing? How and why was this experience meaningful to you? Who were you with??Revisit other golden moments and ask the same questions. It’s likely these moments stand out because you were living by your values at the time. Which ones were at play? Write them down.?You can also try heading in the opposite direction! Think of moments when you were unhappy, angry or frustrated. What was going on? What values were being suppressed in those moments? Write down any words that come to mind.??

Step 2: Select the words that feel right from a values list?

Now that you have a few values written down, let’s dig out the others. Have a look at the values in the link below and pick out which values resonate with you the most.?Try not to label one ‘better’ than another, and refrain from selecting ones you believe you?shouldhave.?It’s important to be totally open and honest with yourself. There are no ‘right’ answers, so don’t feel guilty about your choices.?

Step 3: Place your values into groups

Your list should have gotten a lot longer. But don’t let the size of it overwhelm you. We’re going to pare it down and make it easier to work with.??Let’s start by locating the core values hidden within your list. You’ll notice some of your values can be comfortably grouped together under one central theme.For example: growth, learning, self-development are all related, so they can slide under ‘Personal Growth.’?Place all your similar values together and find a central theme to band them together. This ‘central’ word will now occupy your list, so remove the words under them!?

?Step 4: Whittling your list down further

How many words are you left with??If you’ve got 20 words, you have a bit of work to do. When it comes to a list of values, you want to aim for around 5 to 10.?Here’s how to decide which words to keep on your list. Ask yourself:

• What values are essential to your life??
• What values represent the way you want to be and want to live your life??

Step 5: Place your values in order of importance

Compare your values with each other and determine which ones are more important to you.?To make it easier, try pairing off words and ask: if you could choose just one to carry and live by, which one would it be??Place your most important values at the top of your list!?

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Step 6: Perform a gut-check?

Take a good look at your list of values. Do they feel right? Or do these values feel like they’ve been selected by someone else? It’s not uncommon for people to select society’s values or the values of their parents, instead of their own – so watch out!?Decide whether you could stick to these values, even if it means stepping out of a crowd and standing alone in them.?You should feel proud of your values and feel motivated to embody them!?

?If you’ve completed the steps above, well done! You now have your list of values. These will be your compass throughout your life, helping you make decisions and take the right actions.?

??Remember, this list of values doesn't need to be final. You can continue to review your values and make changes whenever you please.?