Defining Your Core Values
A Guide to Personal Discovery
Every new journey has a starting point, and to make progress, you need to be clear about where you are going. During a life transition, it is easy to get wrapped up in all the tactical things that must be done. But amidst all this necessary activity lies the perfect opportunity to get back in touch with who you are and define your core values. Understanding these foundational principles can provide direction and purpose in your ever-evolving journey.
This focused guide can help you begin to identify and define your core values. Give yourself small windows of space and take a few minutes each day to think through one of the steps until you’ve completed them.
1. Explore Your Passions
Your passions are a major indicator of your core values. Whether it’s traveling to far-off lands, diving into philosophical debates, or embarking on creative projects, what excites you can reveal what you truly value.
Action Step: Reflect on the activities or subjects that make you lose track of time. Consider why these passions are meaningful to you. For instance, if you’re passionate about world cultures, you might value diversity and understanding. If you’re drawn to philosophical discussions, values like truth and wisdom may be significant to you.
2. Assess Your Need for Freedom
Your desire for independence and autonomy can be a critical value in your life. Evaluate how this need for freedom influences your decisions and lifestyle.
Action Step: Take stock of how you prioritize your independence in various areas of your life—career, relationships, hobbies. Do you prefer flexible work arrangements? Do you seek partners who support your personal space? Identifying how freedom impacts your choices can help you define it as a core value.
3. Embrace Your Optimistic Outlook
Your positive outlook can be a reflection of deeper values such as hope, resilience, and enthusiasm. Understanding how this optimism shapes your worldview can reveal what you hold dear.
Action Step: Recall instances when your optimism has guided you through challenges or inspired those around you. Consider how this attitude aligns with your broader life goals and values. Embracing your optimistic nature can help you stay aligned with your core values of positivity and hope.
4. Reflect on Your Quest for Growth
Personal growth and self-improvement are often central to an expansive life experience. Your ongoing quest for knowledge and new experiences can be a key value. Assess how your desire for growth influences your choices and aspirations.
Action Step: Make a list of the ways you actively pursue personal development—whether through learning, travel, or new experiences. Reflect on how these pursuits align with your overall values and sense of purpose. Recognizing your commitment to growth can help solidify it as a core value.
5. Identify Your Authentic Self
You will thrive when you can express your true self and live in alignment with your genuine beliefs. Examine how your need for authenticity influences your relationships and self-expression.
Action Step: Reflect on times when you felt fully authentic and others when you didn’t. Assess how being true to yourself impacts your happiness and fulfillment. Making authenticity a central value can help you navigate your life with greater ease and satisfaction.
6. Define Your Contribution to the World
Those who are curious and introspective often have a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful impact. Whether through helping others, pursuing a cause, or sharing your knowledge, understanding how you wish to contribute to the world can clarify your core values.
Action Step: Consider the causes or issues that resonate with you. How do you envision making a difference? Whether it’s through volunteering, advocacy, or sharing your expertise, defining your contribution can help align your actions with your core values.
Conclusion
By reflecting on these aspects, you can gain a clearer understanding of what truly matters to you and how to live a life that aligns with your values. Embrace your journey with confidence, knowing that your values are the compass guiding you towards a fulfilling and authentic existence.
Next time, we’ll talk about choosing core value keywords and how to apply them in all aspects of your life.