Break free from bad decisions
Get unstuck by discovering your core values –
Part Two
Some of you may have already done a core values discovery exercise, that’s great! If you already know yours, you can use our exercise here as a refresher. For those who haven’t done a core values discovery yet, you’re in for a treat! Finding your own personal core values is both motivating and empowering.
Last week, you got to know your best self and what gives your life true meaning. Our next exercise is an opportunity to build on that great work.
This week, you’ll get to discover the core values that support you to live each day as your best self; with intention, purpose and joy.
The values you discover here will support you to practice making good decisions so you can behave in a way you’re proud of. You’ll also learn how to turn your values into a helpful tool called a values compass. Your core values compass helps you navigate the decision-making process; guiding you toward where you want to be, and WHO you want to be.
Are you ready to discover your own core values?
Before you begin, download the companion worksheet for this exercise. It will help you build your master values list, group those values and prioritize them to find your top 5 core values. Then you’ll get to create your own core values compass! You can download the worksheet HERE.
Exercise Two: Discover your Core Values!
Three Parts to this exercise:
Part 1: Make a master list of all personal values you feel aligned with.
Try to come up with 20-30 personal values that feel important to you.
MindTools has a great exercise for asking questions that help us understand and define our values. Check it out HERE.
James Clear has a great master list of potential values HERE, and Brene Brown has another helpful list HERE. Lots of other personal value lists are available online, and you’re encouraged to come up with your own values as well.
TIP: As you make your master list, pay attention to any similar values that could fit together in a group or theme. You'll use these groups in part 2.
Part 2 (and this is the hard part!): Narrow that list down to 5 Core Values.
From your master list, choose the top 5 personal values that most clearly represent what is most meaningful to you as a unique individual.
TIP: This is where your groups from Part 1 come in handy. If you have several similar values listed, put them into a group and think about one keyword that summarizes what that group means to you. This keyword can then become one of your top 5 core values.
Part 3: Give your core values priority, context and meaning.
Think about which 2 of your top 5 core values are the most important guiding principles for where you're at right now (point A) and where you ideally want to be (point B, your best self) in the future. These are the Guiding Values within your core values set; taking priority over other values when they’re at odds in decision-making.
TIP: Think about it this way: If two of your values were at odds with one another in a given situation, which value would be MOST important? For example: family or career?
Prioritizing your core values will help you make difficult decisions more easily. Also, your priorities will probably shift in the course of your life. It's great to understand what they are now, and what they might be in the future.
Create a statement of meaning for each of your core values. For example: "Community means building strong relationships and connections with the people around me, and letting myself be supported by others when I need it."
Scott Jeffrey has a great article titled 7 Steps to Discover your Personal Core Values. I highly suggest it as a supplement to this exercise for parts 2 and 3 both!
Bonus: Practice your skills by creating a values compass
Once you’ve got your core values, you can easily turn them into a values compass that shows what’s most important to your best self. This compass is something you could physically create and keep with you, or it could be something you visualize in your mind whenever you need it. Either way, having a personal values compass ready to use can be really helpful when you’re trying to make a decision. It’s a great tool to support your decision-making practice.
When faced with a decision, just consult your compass and ask:
“What would my best self do right now?”
“What action follows my core values and leads me toward the person I want to be?”
Click HERE to download a blank compass designed by artist Sarah Uhl that you can fill in with your own core values.
Sink your teeth into this one.
Ok, I know that's a lot of reading and extra web-exploring, but core values are such a powerful tool! I hope you're able to really sink your teeth into this core values exercise and use it to support your process of decision-making and positive habit-building.
Kelsey
Kelsey Brasseur, INHC
Director of Recovery Programs
Like what you read?
Subscribe to our mailing list to get weekly inspiration and recovery tips delivered to your inbox!
