How to discover your core values
Core values and how to discover them. One way to know yourself honestly is to connect with your values.
It’s easy to get distracted by others’ ideas and claim they’re your own because of societal pressures.
However, you must have your own set of principles and morals so you can stand firm in your beliefs.
Your values are the things most important to you at the core. It’s the unwavering belief in what you stand for.
When you know your values, you can live a happier, more fulfilling life doing what’s most important to you.
Core values, where do they come from?
Our values evolve from our experiences with the external world.
Some values that become ingrained early may resist change and be considered our core values.
Others will change as we continue to go through life.
Your values are grounded in your attitude, behaviour, likes, dislikes, and goals.
Values dictate what you will wear and watch, your job, who you will marry, and whether you will have children.
Values are the driving force behind our decisions and judgements.
Our perceptions of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, ‘good’ and ‘bad’ are derived from whether something aligns with our values.
Keep in mind that values are neither good nor bad.
Expanding your mind through visualisation
A practical method of identifying your values is to imagine your future.
Take the time to reflect on different areas of your life.
It could be in your work, relationships, or simply what you do at home.
- Where do you see yourself as you get older?
- What are the things that are most important to you?
- What do you hope to accomplish in life?
Answering these questions will help you discover your values.
For example, suppose you imagine growing old close to your family and spending time with your grandkids.
In that case, a strong sense of family is one of your core values.
You can have many values in life; however, you must determine which ones are your top priorities.
As a result, you can feel confident that you are nurturing the most important aspects of your life at the end of each day.
Here are some popular Values
There are specific values that many people feel are essential. You might also find they’re significant to you as part of your core beliefs.
These principles may help guide you in determining your values:
- Adventure: Are you a thrill-seeker? Do you like to travel? If things seem to get too stale, do you eventually feel bored?
If so, you may have adventure close to your heart, and you’d be the happiest trying new experiences and ways of doing everyday things. - Relationships: Valuing relationships includes finding all relationships necessary, in addition to your romantic ones.
If you value caring relationships, it may be those with any family member or friend.
Valuing personal connections means your interactions with your loved ones and others are important.
To foster this value, spend plenty of time and effort strengthening your relationships. - Spirituality: Suppose you align with a particular religion or spiritual practice.
In that case, the beliefs of that practice are likely very close to your heart.
You may find greater fulfilment by spending your time studying and practising your spiritual explorations. - Creativity: Creative thinking helps the world in many ways, but it’s not a core value for everyone.
If you enjoy discovering and creating new things, perhaps it is one of your values.
Try embracing innovative approaches while doing something you love, such as poetry, music, or painting. - Making a mark on the world: Most people will say that, eventually, they want others to remember them warmly.
There are many ways to make your mark on the world if that’s one of your core values.
You can help others through volunteer work; you can create something new to help the world.
Or you can be a positive influence on others and much more.
What makes you truly happy?
All you need to do to discover your values is find what makes you truly happy.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Then ask yourself why those things bring you joy.
The answers will lead you to your core values.
It’s not too late to change direction.
If you feel like your life has taken a wrong turn, you can figure it all out by thinking about your future. The question is, are you helping your future self by walking down your current path?
If the answer is no, perhaps it’s time to consider taking a new approach based on your core values. When you do, that path will likely lead you to fulfilment and happiness!
