CORE VALUES: Exercise

Have you ever taken the time to define your personal values? If not, no worries—most of us don’t find the time or even know where to start. We tend to think values are reserved for big businesses, schools, hospitals, or non-profits, not necessarily for individuals. I get it—I used to think that way, too. However, in recent years, I took the time to clarify my values, defining them as Purpose, Wholeness, and Impact.

Think of it like this: a vision statement expresses our passion, while a mission statement describes how we’ll live out that passion. But our values? They keep us on track, preventing us from straying from our purpose. If our passion is the engine and our mission is the vehicle, then our values are the GPS, guiding our journey. Pretty essential, right?

Let’s Define Our Values. Let’s Go!

Our core values are a true reflection of our authentic selves. Yet, we don’t always show that authentic self to the world. Sometimes, our core values are overshadowed by external pressures and circumstances. This is why it’s essential to know and stand firm on what truly matters to us. If we don’t prioritize our values, the world certainly won’t do it for us!

The good news? Finding your core values doesn’t require years of soul-searching. A quick, simple exercise can help you start living more authentically in just 10 minutes. Isn’t that worth it?

Grab a pen and some paper—let’s go!

Determine Your Core Values

From the list below, choose and write down every value that resonates with you. Don’t overthink it; just note the words that feel personally significant. If you think of a value that’s not on the list, add it.

Abundance	Expressiveness	Popularity
Acceptance	Fairness	Power
Accountability	Family	Preparedness
Achievement	Flexibility	Proactivity
Adventure	Friendships	Proactive
Advocacy	Freedom	Professionalism
Ambition	Fun	Punctuality
Appreciation	Generosity	Quality
Attractiveness	Grace	Recognition
Autonomy	Growth	Relationships
Balance	Happiness	Reliability
Being the Best	Health	ResilienceResourcefulness
Benevolence	Honesty	Responsibility
Boldness	Humility	Responsiveness
Brilliance	Humor	Risk Taking
Calmness	Inclusiveness	Safety
Caring	Independence	Security
Challenge	Individuality	Self-Control
Charity	Innovation	Selflessness
Cheerfulness	Inspiration	Service
Cleverness	Intelligence	Simplicity
Collaboration	Intuition	Spirituality
Community	JoyKindness	Stability
Commitment	Knowledge	SuccessTeamwork
Compassion	Leadership	Thankfulness
Consistency	Learning	Thoughtfulness
Contribution	Love	Traditionalism
Cooperation	Loyalty	Trustworthiness
Creativity	Making a Difference	Understanding
Credibility	Mindfulness	Uniqueness
Curiosity	Motivation	Usefulness
Daring	Optimism	Versatility
DecisivenessDedication	Open-Mindedness	Vision
Dependability	Originality	Warmth
Diversity	Passion	Wealth
Empathy	Performance	Well-Being
Encouragement	Personal Development	Wisdom
Enthusiasm	Peace	Zeal
Ethics	Perfection
Excellence	Playfulness

This exercise will guide you toward actions that help you live a life aligned with your purpose

Post Your Core Values Where You’ll See Them

Keep your values visible, so they’re easily accessible when making decisions. Write them in order of priority in your planner, put them on a sticky note on your computer, or set them as your phone’s background. For example:

• Live in freedom.
• Act with mindfulness.
• Promote well-being.
• Multiply happiness.
• Seek opportunities to make a difference.

Now Live Your Core Values!

When we live authentically, sharing who we truly are, we create a powerful ripple effect that can change the world.

“If we can get to the place where we show up as our genuine selves, and let each other see who we really are, the awe-inspiring ripple effect will change the world.”
– Terrie M. Williams

The best step you can take for personal success is to define your core values and use them as your guide. They provide clarity when facing choices, helping you determine if a decision aligns with your true self. A life guided by personal values is one of purpose and fulfillment.