How do I know what my values are?
Values must be chosen freely, not because someone said so. Values are always chosen from alternatives, meaning if you don’t cheat because you are taking a test in an empty room with no resources, you cannot say you chose not to cheat. There must always be an alternative in choosing your value. Values are also which have been made after thoughtful consideration of the alternatives and choices. It is also a positive quality for you, and you are willing to publicly stand by your values. Values will also show up again and again in your actions and behaviors.
Where do I start?
Below are some examples of values. Take a second to think about each, and decide if this is a value you live by:
- Authenticity – to be genuine, real, true to yourself
- Benevolence – tendency to do kind and giving things
- Commitment – feeling bound in mind or heart to someone or doing something
- Dependability – being reliable
- Empathy – ability to identify with other people’s situations and feelings
- Flexibility – ability to respond to change
- Honesty – acting straightforward and fairly
- Humility – feeling you are not better than others
- Patience – waiting and withstanding without complaining or getting angry
- Trustworthiness – having people believe you and have confidence in you
This is not a complete list of values, but this can help you get you started in the right direction to identifying your personal values. You can also check out this FREE assessment for more help on your values – https://personalvalu.es/
Review
Values are an essential aspect of our lives, providing us with guidance, direction, and purpose. Identifying our personal values and living by them can help us create meaningful relationships, improve our well-being, and guide our decision-making. By aligning our actions with our values, we can create a better world, both for ourselves and those around us.
About Therapist Bethany Winter, MA, LPC Barnum Counseling
(n.d.). Therapy worksheets, tools, and handouts. Therapist Aid. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.therapistaid.com/
(2023, February 24). Discover your personal values: Free online test. Assessment | Discover Your Values. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://personalvalu.es/