Exercise for Identifying Your Values

Remember it always starts with a tiny step:

Step 1: Create Your Personal Values List

1. Sit in a quiet space with a notebook and pen or open a digital document.
2. Review the following list of common values and write down the ones that resonate most with you, you can add your own values:
   • Honesty
   • Freedom
   • Creativity
   • Compassion
   • Adventure
   • Family
   • Growth
   • Health
   • Connection
   • Security
   • Spirituality
   • Independence
   • Learning
   • Love
   • Success
3. After you’ve selected your values, narrow them down to your top 5 values. These should be the ones that feel most essential to your sense of self.

Step 2: The “Why” Test

For each of the top 5 values, ask yourself, “Why is this important to me?” Write down your answers in detail. For example:

• Value: Freedom
• Why is it important? “Freedom allows me to make choices that align with my true desires, without feeling restricted or controlled by others.”

Step 3: Reflect and Prioritize

• Once you’ve answered the “Why” for each value, rank your top 5 values in order of importance. Ask yourself, “If I had to choose, which value could I not live without?”
• Reflect on how these values show up in your life. Are you living in alignment with them, or is there a gap?

Outcome: This exercise will help you gain clarity on what truly matters to you, allowing you to make choices that align with your core value