Clarifying Your Values Exercise

Clarifying Your Values

ACHIEVEMENT; opportunity to excel and produce significant results
BALANCE; blending work and life
CONCENSUS; making decisions everyone can live with
COMPETENCE; being capable and effective
CREATIVITY; finding new ways to do things
EXCELLENCE; having high quality standards
FAMILY; taking care of and spending time with loved ones
FAIRNESS; respecting the rights of others
GROWTH; continuous learning; self-awareness
HEALTH; physical wellness and strength
INDEPENDENCE; free to work on one's own
INTEGRITY; acting in accordance with one's beliefs
OPENNESS; open dialogue; free exchange of ideas
PEACE; free of conflict
POWER; having a sense of control
SPIRITUALITY; relationship to a higher purpose
SELF EXPRESSION; willing and able to share ideas and opinions
STABILITY; predictable; structured; safe
TEAMWORK; working in co-operation with others toward a common goal
TRADITION; respect for the way things have always been done
VARIETY; frequent changes; new challenges
WEALTH; financially comfortable; flourishing

1. On the list of 22 values, put a line through the 11 values that are the least important to you.
2. With the remaining 11 values, put a line through the 6 values that are the least important to you.
3. With the remaining 5 values, select the two that are the least important to you and rank them 4th and 5th.
4. With the remaining 3 values, rank them in order of importance, 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
5. Use your top 3 values as a magnifying glass to examine your life, particularly stressful or unhappy areas.
6. Use your top 5 values as a guide when making future decisions.
7. Revisit this exercise as you move through various stages of your life. You may find that your values change.