"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
- Proverbs 4:23-
Value is defined as: a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgement of what is important in life.
Identify Your Values
Make a list of your values. To get started circle any of these that resonate with you or add your own.
Achievement
Adventure
Authenticity
Beauty
Belonging
Caring
Collaboration
Commitment
Community
Compassion
Contribution
Courage
Creativity
Curiosity
Dignity
Equality
Empathy
Fairness
Faith
Family
Financial Stability
Friendship
Generosity
Grace
Gratitude
Harmony
Honesty
Humility
Inclusion
Integrity
Job Security
Justice
Knowledge
Learning
Love
Loyalty
Optimism
Quality Time
Power
Recognition
Resourcefulness
Respect
Responsibility
Safety
Serenity
Spirituality
Success
Time
Trust
Truth
Vulnerability
Wisdom
Other……
What to do with your list:
- Narrow your list down to 5. This may be challenging so take your time.
- Ask someone close to you, whether it be a family member or close friend to make a list of what values they see you demonstrate. This can be an extremely vulnerable exercise so ask someone you trust and encourage them to be kind.
- Examine your time and budget against your values.
Examination Exercise
- Examine your budget – Look at the spending in your banking app or any budgeting tool. What does your spending tell you about what you value most. Is it charitable giving, travel, eating out, furnishings, and so on? How does your spending reflect your values? Are there any surprises?
- Examine your schedule – Look back at your calendar or memory (or keep track of your schedule for a few days!) and consider where you are investing your time. What does your schedule tell you about what you value most? Are there any surprises?
As you work through this practice, you may also discover a gap between what you say or think you really value. Where do you see the biggest discrepancy? What small changes can you make to live out your values?