17 questions that unlock your personal values

My previous article discussed how values could make or break your career. In this follow-up article, I will cover identifying your values.

First of all, it’s worth reflecting on how our values develop. Your personal values can be shaped by your culture, family, upbringing, friends, community, education, personal experiences, media, influencers or role models.

I recently chatted with my nephew and recommended travelling after he left school. To keep travelling until you find something passionate about, a problem you feel compelled to solve.

If you feel at a loss of your values – go out and experience the world! Seek new experiences and exposure to new people, places, and cultures. It reminds you of what’s essential or can introduce you to new beliefs or ways of thinking. Embracing new challenges can also help you determine your values and unlock a growth-oriented mindset.

Identifying your personal values involves taking time to reflect on what is most important to you in life. Seeking feedback from others also helps; direct input from friends, family or trusted colleagues can help identify your values.

Here are 17 questions to get you thinking about your values:

1. What motivates you and gives you a sense of purpose in life?
2. What qualities do you admire most in others, and why?
3. What are some experiences that have had the most impact on your life, and what values did they instil in you?
4. What are your top priorities in life, and what values do they represent?
5. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in life, and what values helped you overcome them?
6. What do you want your legacy to be, and what values will help you achieve that?
7. What are some of your most deeply held beliefs, and how do they influence your values?
8. What are some things that you would be willing to sacrifice for, and what values do they represent?
9. What are some values that you have struggled with in the past, and how have you worked to strengthen them?
10. What are some values that you would like to develop further, and why?
11. What are some things that you are unwilling to compromise on, and what values do they represent?
12. What are some things that make you feel most fulfilled and satisfied, and what values do they align with?
13. What are some causes or social issues that you are passionate about, and what values do they align with?
14. What makes you happy?
15. What things in life make me angry?
16. Who are my role models in life? What values do they inspire in you?
17. What would you do in life if money was no object?

Additional resources:

Values exercise and list of different values
https://www.mindtools.com/a5eygum/what-are-your-values

A free utility for identifying values and prioritising them, registration required:
https://www.lifevaluesinventory.org/

List of 50 core values from author James Clear:
https://jamesclear.com/core-values