What we’ll cover:
- How to use the Core Values Exercise to reflect on what matters most to you.
- Steps to evaluate how aligned you are with your values.
- Tips for staying connected to your values over time.
Understanding the Core Values Exercise
In part one, we explored the difference between goals and values and how values guide your life. Now, we’ll put this into practice with the Core Values Exercise, a tool to help you reflect on what truly matters and assess how aligned your daily life is with your values.
Your values are personal, and there are no right or wrong answers. Follow these tips when identifying your values:
- Think of values as life directions, not specific goals.
- Recognise that some values may overlap.
- Reflect on what you’d value most if there were no barriers - what truly matters to you?
- Focus on how you’d like to live your life over time.
- Choose no more than six key values to allow for clarity and focus.
Once you have your key areas, fill in The Core Values Exercise using the following steps:
Step 1: Evaluate your Alignment
For each value, rate your current alignment on a scale of 1 to 10 - 10 being the bullseye here - based on how well you feel you are living that value in your day-to-day life
1 = Very Little Alignment: I rarely live by this value, or it doesn’t show up in my life.
5 = Moderate Alignment: I somewhat live by this value, but there is room for improvement.
10 = Strong Alignment: I live by this value consistently, and it’s a big part of my life.
A completed version could look like this:
Step 2: Reflect on Areas for Growth
Look at the values that scored lower (1-5 out of 10), and consider:
- Why might these values not be as present in your life?
- Are there any barriers or challenges that make it harder for you to live this value?
- What small steps could you take to bring more of this value into your daily life?
Step 3: Set Intentions for Change
For the values that scored lower, set a simple intention or goal to focus on. You don’t need to change everything at once - just pick one or two small actions to start aligning more with these values.
For example:
If "being a supportive friend" scored lower than 5, maybe you set an intention to reach out to a friend at least once a week to help reconnect.
This is where goals can start forming that align with your values and what means most to you.
This scoring system is designed to be reflective rather than prescriptive. The goal is not to judge but to help identify where you are in relation to your values, and where small changes could help you feel more aligned.
Staying connected to your values
It doesn't end here; once you have completed the Core Values Exercise, it’s important to revisit this occasionally and see how connected you still feel to your values. Over time, your priorities or the way you live your values might change, so it’s important to check in with yourself. Reassess your scores and reflect on whether there has been any change in how aligned you feel with each value. Ask yourself:
- Have you taken any new actions to align how you live with your values?
- Are there barriers that are still preventing you from fully embracing these values?
- How do you feel now compared to when you first completed the exercise?
Regularly revisiting your values will help you stay connected to what matters most, allowing you to make adjustments as needed and ensure you’re living in a way that feels authentic and fulfilling. This process is always evolving, just like you. It’s important to regularly pause and reflect on what’s working, what could be improved, and where you want to grow. By doing this, you can stay connected to your values, adjust as needed, and ensure your actions continue to reflect what matters most to you.
