How to Identify Your Core Values

Do you know what you stand for? You may generally feel like you know but when is the last time you truly identified what your core values are?

It is important to determine and define your core values because your values should ultimately shape your decision making and the actions you take in your life.

We’ve all been in a situation where we are debating between two different outcomes – if we should take the job or not; if we should go meet that person for dinner or if we’re better off staying at home; if we should move to a different city or not. There are so many decisions we make in our lives and it can get overwhelming.

When we come back to our core values and ultimately how we wish to move through life, that can make the decision making process more seamless and alleviate so much unneeded stress and incoherence in our thoughts.

I have the privilege to work with clients as a wellness coach and support others in identifying what their core values are. If you’d like to work together in truly living a life that is in alignment you may connect with me here.

Some quick tips for those that would like to get their wheels turning, are below:

Look to your inner circle.

Who do you most admire in your inner circle? Are there character and personality traits that draw you to them that inspire you to adopt them into your own life? Is someone always kind and it makes you want to be better toward the people around you? Is someone always giving back and you want to now look at a local charity you can support?

Be present.

Observe yourself in the present over the next few days. Are there specific decision-making moments that stood out to you? Why did you respond in a specific way at work, at home? Were you calm and at peace? Did you give a passionate response? Start taking notes on your behavior and use these questions as thought starters:

• What did you learn about what you want?
• What are you willing to let go of?
• What is a non-negotiable?

Reflect on your life.

So often times our core values are easily identified through the more difficult times in our life. Was it a difficult conversation with a partner? For me, I was diagnosed with cancer and I always knew I was resilient but it was that specific experience that made me realize resilience is at my core. We all have a defining moment or maybe it’s a series of defining moments in your life where your core values have shown up.

I hope this helps get you thinking in a direction that perhaps you haven’t yet explored. Remember our core values guide our behaviors and provide us with our own compass in how we navigate through life. When we honor our core – our foundation – we experience more fulfillment and ease with how we show up in life.