How to Define 'Personal Values'

Defining your personal values helps you to discover what is driving you throughout your day. Your values spill over into your family life, work life and define how you treat others and how others perceive you. Personal values are a result of your life's experiences and beliefs, your cultural background and religion. When you're young, your personal values are taught by your parents, teachers and the society you live in. You take on these beliefs not really thinking about them because it is comfortable for you. As you grow, you start to challenge those beliefs and develop your own experiences in life that may shape new personal values unique to you.

Instructions

    • 1

      Sit down, think and write down what you believe are your present values. Define yourself on paper first to get started. Think about who you are as a person, ethically and morally.

    • 2

      Think and write down some examples of your life such as if you are a leader or a follower. Think back if you have followed what another friend was doing even though it went against your ethical beliefs. Ask yourself if you would still make the same decision today. Put yourself into hypothetical situations if you can't think of real life ones to discover how your beliefs guide the decisions you make.

    • 3

      Get some clarification on your values by pulling that paper out again and do this exercise.

      Draw a line down the middle of your paper. On the right side of the line write qualities or behaviors that you believe you would never do and wouldn't surround yourself with people who do such as lying or stealing.

    • 4

      Write several behaviors on the left side of the line that you respect and believe are strong priorities for you like generosity and motivation. Draw a line between the extreme opposites from one side to the other such as lying on the right side to honesty on the left side. These opposites represent your strongest values. Any beliefs left over will be the personal values you hold but don't feel as strong about.

    • 5

      Consider whether you are still holding onto values that have been thrust upon you by people around you and if you truly believe in those values. Think about whether your current personal values make you happy. Look back at the definition of yourself and if you are proud of what you see when you look in the mirror. Also ask yourself if you had only one week to live, would you feel happy and content about the way you lived or would you have regrets. This will help you define your values and enable you to incorporate them into your life.

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