Finding Meaning in Your Life: What are Your Values?
Part of finding meaning is being sure that we are living according to our values. The deep inner feeling that we are doing the “right thing” provides a sense of fulfillment which helps us be happier. If we are not clear what our values are or that we are living according to the “right” values it is difficult to feel that sense of fulfillment.
Below is a list of values adapted from Value Cards provided by Suzanne Hazelton in her book Great Days at Work. The original document can be found on her web site at http://www.thebusinessofchange.co.uk/resources/free-personal-development. As you read each one, rate them on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 meaning it stirs something deep inside you, 4 meaning you can identify with it, 3 meaning you can agree with it, 2 meaning it seems like a good value but for someone else, and 1 meaning you don’t agree with it.
____ Competition – excited to keep score and to win.
____ Creativity – You like coming up with something new and different. That may be ideas or something related to the arts.
____ Excellence – You always push to do your best. If it is not as close to perfect as you can get it, it is not worth doing.
____ Excitement – Life should be full of new experiences that keep you on the edge of your seat. Better to swim, even though there might be sharks, than sit safely on the beach.
____ Challenge – You look forward to that next mountain to climb or obstacle to overcome.
____ Variety – Every day should be different. Change is not only good, it is a requirement.
____ Freedom – There is nothing to keep you from doing what you want. You can do what you choose to do.
____ Friendship – Having friends and being a good friend are key parts of life.
____ Fun – You enjoy being playful and participating in activities that make you laugh.
____ Growth – You want to be continuously developing as a person and stretching your potential.
____ Self-Expression – You seek opportunities to show who you really are through your work, your hobbies, or your habits. How you dress and what you do sends a message about who you are.
____ Abundance and Wealth – Having a big house and a nice car is an illustration of your efforts and hard work. You want to have plenty and never run out.
____ Contact/Closeness – Close personal relationships are important to you.
____ Helping Others – It is important that you reach out to others and help wherever you can.
____ Health & Fitness – You want to put in the work to be healthy and fit.
____ Autonomy – You want to make your own decisions and determine your own path.
____ Influencing – You enjoy persuading people to change and improve.
____ Honesty – You expect the truth from yourself and others.
____ Serenity – You prefer harmony to conflict. You want everyone to just get along.
____ Learning – It is important to continue to gather knowledge and grow intellectually.
____ Humor – Laughing at yourself and seeing others laugh. Finding something funny in most situations.
____ Peace of Mind – Internal comfort and confidence that things will turn out as they should.
____ Spirituality – Belief in a higher power or higher order of things
____ Justice – Fairness and equity. Everyone should get what they deserve.
____ Power – Authority or the ability to control people or resources
____ Kindness – thoughtfulness and empathy for others. A desire to be considerate of others.
____ Love – Showing, receiving, and sharing love and consideration for and from others.
____ Loyalty – Showing commitment to a person, group, or ideal no matter what the circumstances.
____ Recognition – appreciation of efforts made by yourself and others.
____ Security – Comfort that your circumstances are not going to change substantially.
____ Passion – Active involvement and excitement in deeply held beliefs.
____ Stability – Routines and patterns remain steady and predictable. Life is subject to only small and subtle change.
____ Order – Things follow a set pattern with clear logic and rules.
____ Responsibility – People should be held accountable for their actions and decisions.
____ Perfection – There is no room for error or mistakes. It can’t be appreciated until everything is done exactly right.
____ Respect – Interest in and tolerance for different points of view. Higher form of appreciation for significant accomplishments.
____ Spontaneity – Living for the moment. Immediate implementation of decisions without prolonged consideration.
____ Status – Respect for position and other symbols of accomplishment and power.
____ Belonging – Being a recognized member of a group. Identifying with a group.
____ Integrity – Sincerity and Honesty. Actions, speech, and beliefs should be in alignment.
____ Success – Accomplishment and achievement.
____ Contribution – Making a recognized impact on something.
____ Self-Respect – Treating yourself as well as you treat others. A belief or pride in who you are and what you stand for.
____ Trust – Being able to count on someone being truthful and consistent.
____ Environmentalism – Belief in protecting the earth and its resources.
Feel free to add other values you think are missing from this list. Choose your top 5 values, the ones with the highest ratings. These are the values you feel deeply about and you will not compromise for money, success, or relationships. They are a part of who you are. As you identify your Higher Purpose, anything that is not consistent with these top values will feel uncomfortable and you will be unable to commit 100% to it.
Next Week: Why We Struggle to Identify Our Values
The greatest reminder for me for what makes me happy is to never forget the fun of curiosity, for it is so easy for people to replace the question mark with a exclamation mark…
Excellent point. Our passions fuel our curiosity and vice versa. Thanks for the comment.