Values are what we find meaningful in life. They are what you care about and consider to be important. Values are different for everybody, and they can change over time.
Values are like compass directions — they guide how you want to live, rather than destinations to reach
Understanding your values helps you make decisions that feel meaningful and aligned with who you want to be
Noticing gaps between your values and how you currently live can highlight areas where change would feel most rewarding
Living in accordance with your values — even in small ways — builds wellbeing, motivation, and self-respect
Values are different from goals. Put crudely, goals can be 'achieved' whereas values are more like compass directions that we want to head in. For example, we might have the goal of getting our children to school on time, which sits within the value of 'being a good parent', or the goal of going for a jog while placing value upon exercise and physical health.
The domains below are valued by some people. Leaving aside any obstacles for the moment, think about what is important to you, and what you think makes for a meaningful life that you could value.
For each domain, write a brief description of what you value. For example: "to be a caring partner" (marriage), "to never stop learning" (education), or "to deepen my relationship with nature" (spirituality). There are no right or wrong answers.
Rate how important each domain is to you from 0 (not important at all) to 10 (extremely important). Be honest — some domains may genuinely matter less to you than others, and that is completely valid.
Rate how successfully you have lived in accordance with this value in the past month, from 0 (not at all well) to 10 (very well). Where the gap between Importance and Success is largest, small actions can make the biggest difference.
Work through each domain below. You do not need to have strong values in every area — simply reflect honestly on what matters to you and how you are currently living in accordance with it.
What kind of relationships do you want with your family? What kind of son / daughter / brother / sister / aunt / uncle do you want to be?
What kind of husband / wife / partner do you want to be? What quality of relationship do you want to be a part of?
What sort of parent do you want to be? What qualities do you want your children to see in you?
What sort of friend do you want to be? What friendships is it important to cultivate? How would you like to act towards your friends?
What kind of work is valuable to you? What qualities do you want to bring as an employee? What kind of work relationships would you like to build?
How would you like to grow? What kind of skills would you like to develop? What would you like to know more about?
How would you like to enjoy yourself? What relaxes you? When are you most playful?
What kind of relationship do you want with God / nature / the Earth? What gives you a sense of meaning or transcendence?
What kind of environment do you want to be a part of? How do you want to contribute to your community?
What kind of values do you have regarding your physical wellbeing? How do you want to look after yourself?