What Are Values In Life? And How To Discover Them

Your values in life guide every choice. Learn how to align your actions with your core beliefs for a better future.

Have you ever felt like you’re on autopilot, drifting through your daily life without a clear sense of purpose? You know, the kind of day where you're staring at your to-do list and thinking, "Why am I even doing this?"

Well, spoiler alert: it might have something to do with your personal values - or lack thereof. Personal core values are like the unseen forces that guide our lives - kind of like GPS for your soul.

They steer you in the right direction when everything else gets blurry, helping you make better decisions, feel more fulfilled, and even deal with family members who test your patience.

Knowing your own values is the first step toward living a life that feels true to you. And let’s face it, living a life of integrity sounds way better than just ticking boxes off someone else’s list of important things.

In this post, we'll dive into everything you need to know about personal values; What they are, why they're important, and how they shape different areas of our lives.

Think of it as a guide to being your authentic self without needing a personality test or getting sucked into another pop culture fad.

Whether you're interested in personal growth, making difficult decisions, or simply trying to be a better person, your values are your greatest asset. Tie those laces, this is your next step towards a purpose-driven life.

What Are Personal Values?

So, what exactly are personal values? Think of them as the core beliefs and guiding principles that define who you are.

These values influence your decisions, shape your career path, and even impact your relationships. They’re the foundation of your true self - kind of like your moral compass, but with a bit more flavor.

Personal values are what drive you to do the right thing, even when it’s hard. They influence important decisions and shape the aspects of your life that matter most.

From your personal life to your professional life, these values are what help you differentiate between what’s truly meaningful and what’s just noise.

Different values resonate with different people. Some might value hard work, while others might prioritize creativity or financial security.

There’s no one-size-fits-all list of core values because, well, we’re all unique - thankfully. Your own standards are shaped by your life experiences, social environment, and even those cringe-worthy moments that taught you what not to do.

A great way to understand your values is to consider examples of personal values that might resonate with you. These could include honesty, kindness, growth, or adventure.

Creating a personal list of values helps you get a better understanding of what drives your decisions and defines your mission statement in life.

This isn’t just a good idea, it’s an important step towards your personal development and living your life purpose.

Values are powerful tools, but they’re not static. They can change as you grow, as your career choices evolve, or as you navigate different situations in your daily lives.

Young people, for instance, might prioritize adventure, while climbing the corporate ladder might lead someone to value stability and financial security more.

Identifying your personal values helps you make better choices, reduces internal conflict, and gives you peace of mind.

If you’re clear on your values, you’re more likely to choose a career path or personal relationships that bring true happiness.

So, it’s not just about making a list. It’s about making a conscious decision to align your current life with your core beliefs.

Ready to dive into your own values? Stay tuned for the next section where we’ll explore why these values are so important in different areas of our lives.

Why Are Personal Values Important?

Personal values are more than just words. They’re the fundamental beliefs that shape your actions, thoughts, and attitudes.

They’re the reason behind those gut feelings when you make decisions. Whether it's in your job search, relationships, or personal development, your values guide you toward the right thing.

They keep you grounded during tough times and help you stay true to your authentic self.

Think about it; values influence the most important things in our lives. From choosing a career path to navigating personal relationships, they guide us in making better choices.

Without clear values, you might feel lost or make decisions that lead to negative feelings. It’s like trying to complete a puzzle without knowing what the picture looks like. Not a good time.

A core values list is like a manual for being a better human being. It helps you answer essential questions like, “What do I stand for?” and “What makes me truly happy?”

The answers to these questions lead to a meaningful moment of realization; A chance to live a more purpose-driven life.

There are external factors like social pressures, pop culture, or even bad habits that can sway us. This is why having a personal list of values is so important.

It keeps us aligned with our true selves, not just what others expect of us. Even when external factors come into play, values are your internal guide, a constant reminder of your mission statement and long-term goals.

Different perspectives and examples of values help you see what resonates most with you. Common core values like honesty, respect, and compassion make the complete list of values people often aim for.

But your list can be unique. Specific values that align with your life purpose and personal experiences.

Think of values as an action plan for your mental health and peace of mind. Aligning your actions with your core beliefs leads to true happiness, minimizes internal conflict, and makes you a better person in different situations.

Long-term, it’s about consistently making choices that reflect your deepest beliefs and help you grow in a positive way.

Values aren’t just ethical standards; they’re the core principles that define every aspect of your life. Knowing your values is key to living with intention, making conscious decisions, and pursuing a career path that aligns with your passions.

It’s a great way to ensure that you’re living a life with a positive impact—not just for yourself but for the people around you.

Next week, we’ll explore how to identify your own personal values and make sure they align with who you want to be.

How to Identify Your Personal Values

Identifying your personal values can feel like a daunting task. After all, we are social creatures influenced by a lot of different factors.

But don’t worry, I’m here to help. As any good life coach would say, the first step is to get clear on what truly matters to you. Start by asking yourself a series of questions, and be honest with your answers.

Think about your most meaningful moments. When did you feel proud, fulfilled, or completely aligned with who you are?

These moments are clues to your core values. On the flip side, think about times when you felt deeply uncomfortable or upset.

Often, negative feelings point to violated values, showing you what’s important to you by highlighting what’s missing.

Another great way to identify your values is by creating a list of personal values that resonate with you.

Look at examples of values like honesty, growth, creativity, and loyalty. Ask yourself which ones spark something within you.

Not all values are good values for everyone, and some might even turn out to be “bad values” for you personally. It’s all about finding what resonates with your true self.

A core value example could be something like “hard work.” For many people, putting in their best effort is an essential part of their life philosophy.

For others, it could be about ethical values like being fair, honest, and respectful in every interaction. Remember, there are no right or wrong values, just what works for you.

Consider external factors too. Cultural values often shape our beliefs about what's important.

For example, some cultures highly value community and family ties, while others emphasize independence and personal achievement.

Reflect on these examples of cultural values and see which ones align with your deepest beliefs.

You can also look at different perspectives by observing the values of people you admire. What qualities do they exhibit that you find inspiring?

Sometimes, seeing how others live can provide clarity about our own priorities. As social creatures, we naturally pick up on what resonates with us in those around us.

Identifying your values takes time, and that’s okay. It’s a long-term journey to understand what drives you. Set aside some quiet moments to reflect and create your own complete list of values.

This is a good time to be introspective. So grab a journal, write down your thoughts, and watch as patterns begin to emerge. Once you have a clear idea of your values, use them as a compass.

Whether it’s making an important decision, navigating your career, or improving your relationships, having clarity about your core principles will always steer you in the right direction.

How Personal Values Influence Behavior and Life Choices

Your personal values don’t just sit quietly in the back of your mind. They play an active role in your behavior.

For a lot of people, values are the silent motivators behind both small and big decisions. They push you to put in your best effort or make ethical choices even when it's tough.

Take honesty, for example. If it’s one of your important values, you’ll likely choose to be honest even when lying might seem easier.

This influences how you interact with others, from personal relationships to professional settings. On the flip side, if you’re not clear about your values, you may find yourself making decisions that cause negative feelings in the long term.

Sometimes, bad values can lead us in the wrong direction. Take the pursuit of money at any cost. While financial security is a common goal, valuing money over integrity can lead to a lot of regret.

It’s not that money is a bad thing, but prioritizing it above all else can be damaging.

Values also play a crucial role in long-term goals. They determine where you want to go in life and how you plan to get there.

If personal growth is a core value, you’ll likely seek opportunities that help you evolve, even if they’re challenging. On the other hand, without a strong value foundation, you might end up drifting without a clear direction.

Knowing your personal values helps you act in ways that are consistent with your true self. It’s easier to make the right choices when you know what matters most to you.

Your values keep you grounded, especially when external pressures try to sway your decisions. This alignment creates a sense of peace and helps you navigate life with more confidence.

In the end, understanding your values is all about making conscious choices that lead to a fulfilling, purpose-driven life. When your actions match your values, you’re living in alignment - and that’s a powerful place to be.

How to Re-Evaluate and Change Your Values

Values aren’t set in stone. They evolve as you grow, gain experiences, and face new challenges. Re-evaluating your values from time to time is healthy and necessary.

Life changes. Sometimes you switch careers, meet new people, or start a family. All these things can shift your priorities and, therefore, your core values.

A lot of people think that changing values is a bad thing. But honestly, it's quite the opposite. Growth often requires us to let go of values that no longer serve us and embrace new ones that align with our current goals.

For example, maybe you once valued financial success above all else, but now you prioritize meaningful relationships. This shift doesn’t make your previous values “bad”, it just means you’ve evolved.

To re-evaluate your values, start by reflecting on your current life. Are your actions still aligned with what you consider important?

If you’re feeling disconnected or unsatisfied, it may be time to adjust your values to better fit your present circumstances.

Ask yourself questions like, “What matters most to me right now?” and “What do I want my life to look like in the long term?”

It’s also helpful to revisit your core values list and see if anything needs updating. You might find that a value you once considered essential no longer resonates, while a new value has emerged as a priority.

This process is about staying in touch with your true self and making sure your guiding principles reflect your growth.

Changing values doesn’t mean you’re inconsistent. It means you’re adaptable. Life throws us curveballs, and holding on to outdated values can hold you back from becoming your best self.

Re-evaluating your values allows you to live more authentically, ensuring that your actions always align with what’s most important to you.

Embrace change. It’s a part of personal growth and helps you navigate life’s ups and downs with more resilience.

Remember, your values are there to guide you, not constrain you. Adjust them as needed, and keep moving forward.

Aligning Your Life with Your Personal Values

Once you’ve identified your values, the next step is aligning your life with them.

It sounds simple, but trust me, it takes dedication. And if you need a life coach to cheer you on and hold you accountable, well, I know a guy - Hint: it’s me.

Start by evaluating your daily habits. Are they consistent with your core values? If not, it’s time to make some changes.

Living in alignment means making conscious choices - every single day - that reflect what you stand for. It’s about saying yes to what brings you joy and no to what doesn’t serve you.

This could mean anything from setting boundaries with people who drain your energy to pursuing a career that makes your heart sing.

Remember, aligning your life with your values doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a series of small, intentional changes that lead to big transformations over time.

A lot of people struggle with this because change can feel uncomfortable. But discomfort is often where growth happens.

Imagine the satisfaction of knowing that every choice you make, no matter how small, takes you closer to living a life true to yourself. That’s the kind of long-term peace we’re all looking for.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry, I’m always here to guide you through.

Let’s be honest, a little help goes a long way, and having a life coach isn’t just for celebrities. It’s for anyone who wants to live their best life without second-guessing every step.

So if you need a gentle nudge - or a sarcastic pep talk - you know where to find me.

Aligning your actions with your values is a journey, not a destination. And hey, if you stumble along the way, just remember: it’s all part of the process.

As long as you’re committed to living according to what truly matters, you’re on the right track. So go ahead, start living in alignment, one small step at a time.

Something To Think About

Personal values are the foundation for a meaningful, purpose-driven life. They’re the compass that points us towards who we truly want to be.

But knowing your values is just the beginning; it’s how you live by them that really matters. The next time you’re faced with a tough decision or feeling lost, pause and think about your core values.

Are you making choices that honor who you are at your core? Or are you drifting away from what truly matters?

It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of daily life. But if you take even a small step each day to align your actions with your values, you’ll start seeing real, lasting change.

And remember, you don’t have to do this alone. If you need some guidance - or just someone to call you out on your excuses - I’m here for you.

Coaching isn’t just about motivation; it’s about creating a life that feels authentic, rewarding, and true to who you are.

Keep going, keep growing, and keep choosing what matters. Your journey is uniquely yours, and every step you take in alignment with your values is a step towards living your best life. You've got this!

This post was all about values in life.