Identify Your Core Values + the Secret to Putting Them into Action

Values are a guidance system that is important to how we live and work. I think of them as a compass, pointing us in the direction that most resonates with our highest and best. Each individual may have different core values that are unique to them.

As a Life Coach I have seen again and again how being clear on your personal and unique values can be incredibly helpful in living a fulfilled life. How is that?

When you are disconnected from your values you may feel down, have low energy, procrastinate, be discouraged, unmotivated, or just feel plain icky. Likely, you wouldn’t even know why you feel this way. It’s like being a bathtub full of holes where the “energy” leaks out.

When you are in alignment with your values the “tub is full”. You have energy, feel in flow, and are more confident in your choices and with moving forward in life. When a difficult decision comes up, it can be much easier to make when you have a clear set of values to measure the decision against.

When someone engages in a coaching partnership they are often being challenged and stretched into new ways of being. Although this is supporting them in the life and dreams they desire, it can also be uncomfortable. When practicing new behaviors or beliefs it can be really helpful to have your values identified and present to come back to, like a comfortable armchair that fits you just right.

As important and beneficial as it is to be aware and present of your values, I have found that it is even more powerful to attach actions to your values. It puts some power and energy behind them as opposed to being stagnant leaving the thought of “now what?”.

Having a verb attached to your value provides insight into how to live into your values. How to express them in the world, to emanate and be your values.

So how do you identify your personal values in action?

It’s not an exercise to ‘get right’ or do perfectly. It requires you to put down your thinking mind and settle into your inner knowledge, following your intuition.

Step 1.

Take a deep breath and get as relaxed as possible to help you to get out of your thinking mind. Review the list of values I have compiled here as a jumping-off point and take note of any that resonate most or pop out at you, how many doesn’t matter at this point. This is not a complete list, please add any values that are not listed here that are important to you.

 

Step 2.

Now that you have a list of values that resonate with you, what’s next is to group the values into five ‘like’ categories. If you have four or six categories, that’s fine too, create it in a way that works for you, five is not a rule. For example, you might put these values together into a category: joy, play, and expression. Which value in that category stands out most to you? You might ask: “if I have joy, does that make play and expression possible?” If the answer is yes, that might just be your most potent value from that category. If no, try the question with a different value: “If I have “play”, does that make joy and expression possible?”

Go with your gut and your heart here. Again, there’s no right or wrong – for real. 

 

Step 3.

Once you have pared your lists down to your top 5 values, you’re ready for the secret sauce: attach a verb to the front of your value. Something that takes it from being stagnant and into action.

For example: Live from Joy, Contribute to Play everywhere or Seek Adventure.

Here is a list of verbs to get your creative juices flowing. Try out a few different combinations until you find the match that truly inspires you. If you find the perfectionist or analyzer in you is trying to get it right, take a break and come back to the exercise. Also, go ahead and try out different combinations. Remember, the intention here is to create something that inspires you and lights you up. 

 

 

Step 4

Now what? Post them up where you will see them daily. Review them when making decisions and choices. You can ask questions like “will choosing this support (your value)?”. Plan your day from your values: what will I do today if I’m seeking adventure? The possibilities are endless, use these values wherever they add power, clarity and inspiration to your life.