Why is it important to identify core values?
Core values are personal ethics or ideals that guide you when making decisions, building relationships and solving problems. According to Forbes, 'they are the values that are deeply meaningful. The values that align with your legacy, relationships, work and cognition.' People who identify their core values and align them to their goals are more likely to achieve success and fulfilment in their work.
Identifying the values that are meaningful to you can help you develop and achieve personal and professional goals. It can also help you find jobs and companies that align with your ideals.
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The Benefits of Identifying Core Values:
- Enhanced Decision Making: Knowing your core values can guide you in making decisions that align with what matters most to you.
- Increased Motivation: When your goals reflect your values, you're more likely to stay committed and motivated.
- Greater Fulfillment: Aligning your values with your actions leads to a more satisfying and meaningful life.
- Improved Relationships: Understanding your values can help you build stronger, more genuine relationships.
How can I find out what my core values are?
1. Reflect on Past Experiences
Think about times in your career when you were happy, successful, and proud. Write down details using your examples. What were you doing? Who were you with? What were your main tasks and objectives? What was your manager like? Can you describe the environment and culture you were in?
- By analysing these moments, you might notice common factors. Perhaps in all these situations, you were working as part of a team, or maybe you felt a sense of autonomy over your work. This can help you pinpoint whether teamwork, leadership, or another value is essential to you.
2. Identify Common Themes
Look for common factors in these experiences. You might find that they center around people, for example, and that in all three situations you were working as part of a team. Or it may be that you were given responsibility and felt you had autonomy over your work. This could then help you to see that teamwork or leadership are core values of yours.
- You might find that factors like collaboration, creativity, or accountability consistently appear. Recognizing these themes can help you see which values are most important to you.
3. Setting Goals that Reflect Your Values
Aligning your core values with your goals means that your aspirations will resonate with what you feel is most important. For instance:
- If teamwork is a core value: Aim to build a cohesive team culture within your business.
- If autonomy is a core value: Set goals that allow for creativity and independence in your projects.
- If wellbeing is a core value: Develop goals that prioritise work-life balance and personal health.
To help I have created an activity which will identify your core values. You can download the core values workbook by clicking here. Ideally set aside at least 30 minutes and find a quiet space where you won't be interrupted.
Core Values Wheel
To help I have created an activity which will identify your core values. Read through the list - get yourself a piece of paper and work through the below activity you can also click here to print this activity if you find this easier.
Your Core Values Activity
1) Read through the list of values
| Acceptance | Enthusiasm | Results |
| Accountability | Equality | Security |
| Achievement | Family | Self-improvement |
| Adaptability | Fairness | Simplicity |
| Adventure | Flexibility | Spirituality |
| Authenticity | Friendship | Stability |
| Authority | Growth | Success |
| Autonomy | Happiness | Sustainability |
| Balance | Hard work | Teamwork |
| Boldness | Honesty | Tenacity |
| Bravery | Humility | Time management |
| Candor | Humor | Transparency |
| Challenge | Impact | Trustworthiness |
| Clarity | Improvement | Wealth |
| Collaboration | Ingenuity | Wisdom |
| Compassion | Innovation | Work ethic |
| Communication | Kindness | Work-life balance |
| Community | Knowledge | |
| Contribution | Leadership | |
| Creativity | Learning | |
| Curiosity | Loyalty | |
| Dependability | Meaningful work | |
| Determination | Optimism | |
| Diversity | Ownership | |
| Empathy | Participation |
2) Fill in the outermost circle with up to 25 values which are important to you - we will narrow this down in the following steps
3) Move to the middle circle and write in up to 15 values from your initial selection which are most important to you
4) Finally move to the inner circle adding in 8-12 values which you feel are the most important to you.
Use the below image as a guide.
These are your core values.
Aligning your core values
Once you've identified your core values, the next step is to align them with your job, employer, or business. When your core values are in harmony with your work environment, culture, and colleagues, things feel much more manageable. You are far more likely to use your strengths and skills effectively when you feel aligned with your work.
Writing a Values Statement
One exercise my clients and I have found useful is writing a values statement based on what you've discovered. Consider questions like:
- What are the core values that drive your relationships?
- Which values contribute to your wellbeing and good health?
- Are there particular values that drive positive behaviors?
Reflecting on these questions can help you gain a better sense of self-awareness and determine how to use your values in your work and personal life. Regular reflection on whether you are staying true to your core values can keep you aligned and motivated.
Conclusion
Identifying and aligning your core values with your goals is not just a one-time exercise but an ongoing practice. Reflect regularly and ask yourself if you are true to your core values. This alignment will help you achieve greater success and fulfillment in both your personal and professional life.
If you need help in identifying your core values and integrating them into your goals and actions, head over to my contact page by clicking here and booking a free discovery call.
Coaching can support you to challenge your thinking and get more clarity on how to incorporate your values into goals and actions. For more insights and personalised guidance, visit my career coaching service page.
