personal statement with values

Tips to Ace Your Personal Value Statement (With Templates!)

A personal value statement can give you a competitive edge! Write a statement to help you land the job and align your decisions with your goals.

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This is the perfect time to create your personal value statement!

What Is a Personal Value Statement?

A personal value statement is a short overview of what you value and how those values make you the best match for a job. A personal value statement helps clarify what matters and gives you a competitive edge over other applicants. 

What’s the Difference Between a Personal Statement and a Personal Value Statement?

A personal statement or a statement of purpose is what you include in your application for university. If you’re looking for a job, you’ll use a personal value statement for applying to jobs. You can also use it to ground your goals and get clear on your mission.

Examples of Personal Value Statements:

Here are some examples of personal value statements:

• Equal parts marketing strategist and tactician, a high-energy, roll-up-your-sleeves leader who knows how to get things done within an environment built on teamwork, integrity, and respect. A servant leader who takes great pride in watching members of the team grow into successful leadership positions. — Steve Einig, Marketing & Communication Strategist
• Throughout my career, I’ve worked to promote equity and integrity in an industry that has been slow to adjust. With determination and an untiring commitment to integrity, I’ve worked to build bridges and bring about change through high-stakes negotiations.  
• While some people might hate change, I thrive on it. I create strategies that are focused on creativity and innovation to make sure my clients are constantly growing and reaching the next level of success. 

When Should I Use a Personal Value Statement?

A personal value statement is versatile, and once you’ve written it, you’ll be able to adapt it and use it in several ways. You can also use it personally and professionally.

• Professionally: You can put your personal value statement at the top of your resume, as a part of your cover letter, in place of a cover letter, if they don’t request one, on your LinkedIn profile, and as preparation for job interviews. It can also help you identify if a job fits you (do their values align with yours?).
• Personally: Put it on a post-it note on your mirror to see every morning. Put it on a reminder on your phone. Post it on your online profiles or dating profiles so people know what you are all about.

5 Steps to Write Your Personal Value Statement

We get it if you feel uncomfortable writing down or discussing your best traits. But, writing your value statement will prepare you for the dreaded, “So tell me about yourself.” or “What are your best traits?”. 

To overcome the discomfort of approaching this, remember this— you’re not bragging about yourself. It may feel like it, and if the thought makes your mind go completely blank, don’t worry. We’re going to take you through this step-by-step. 

Step #1: Pinpoint What You Value

To start, you won’t think about what makes you fantastic. Set that aside for a minute and think about what you value. 

Don’t censor yourself. 

Write down a list of everything that comes to mind. 

Can’t think of anything? Ask yourself these questions. The answers will help you find some of your values. 

• What makes me feel safe?
• What makes me feel successful?
• What makes me feel valued?
• In friendships, what do I appreciate?
• At work, I respect coworkers who…
• In my family, I need…

44 Values to Get You Started

Step #2: Cut Your List Down

Now that you have a big, beautiful list of values, start thinking about yourself. What you value in life, and others is usually one of two things: the qualities you excel in or the qualities you wish you had. 

• Read through your list and highlight the five most important qualities.
• Next, go back and highlight three qualities that you possess.
• Make a new list with those three qualities. 

Step #3: Get Real

Now that you have a list of three to five values, think about what those values look like in real life. Because this is a personal value statement, think primarily about your work history. 

For example, if one of your values is “authenticity,” think about when this value guided your actions at work. Write one sentence to define what the value means to you within the work context. 

For example:

Authenticity: Meaning what I say and then doing it. Letting others know they can trust my words and that my actions will correspond to what I communicate.  

Independence: Having the capacity and freedom to direct my actions and take the responsibility to complete my tasks without needing unnecessary help.

As you can imagine, how you define values will be specific to you. You may see independence and authenticity in a very different light than our examples!

Step #4: Be Relevant

This is where you make your personal value statement an asset for your application process. 

Now that you’ve defined your core values, apply them to the job you want. Get as specific as possible, and correlate your values to the company’s or specific job’s values. 

Many companies have a spot on their website that details their mission, vision, and values. You can also learn a lot from the job listing or even the company tagline. Look for clues, and write down what values you feel they are looking for. Then compare that to your values.

If there’s a big disconnect, you may want to reconsider whether you wish to apply. If the values align, keep going! Take the definitions you wrote and start crafting a statement with this outline.

• Lead with a statement about your experience and connect that with how your values impact your work. Keep this between one to three sentences. 
• Start with your number one value and share how that connects to your experience and work. You can expand this to include more than one value, but avoid making a laundry list of your values. 
• Make a connection between your values and the values of the company.
• Think about the specific role you are applying for and what they say in the job description. Identify one or two values that make you a good fit for that particular role. 

Keep reading for specific examples! 

Special note: If you want to use a personal value statement on your dating profile, think about what values you would like to attract in a mate.

Step #5: Refine and Revise 

Once you’ve written your value statement, it’s important to make edits for grammar and clarity. Even if you’re a grammarian with fantastic writing skills, use an extra tool like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to help you with the editing process. Professional writers never publish a first draft, so don’t expect to send your value statement on your first draft! 

If you have time, set your value statement aside for a week, and don’t look at it. That will enable you to come to it with fresh eyes to catch sentences that don’t make sense, aren’t interesting, or don’t flow as well as they could. 

Pro Tip: Ask a mentor or friend to read your value statement. Someone who knows you well may have ideas of how to strengthen your statement. 

• Be specific. The person reading your statement is busy! Do them a favor by quickly communicating who you are and why they should hire you. 
• Be genuine. It might be tempting to pick values you think are important, but interviewers want to know who you are, not who you think you should be. When you’re genuine, that gets communicated, and people will respond positively.  
• Keep it short. A good length to aim for is a couple of paragraphs—between 50-250 words.

Don’t do this…

• Make a list of your accomplishments. You’ve already written your resume (hopefully!); there’s no need to rehash it here.  
• Include negative qualities. We all have that negative quality we’re secretly proud of—but don’t add it here. You may think you can put a positive spin on being stubborn, inflexible, or impatient, but it could harm your chances of getting the job. 
• Ramble. A personal value statement should be short and concise. You don’t need to include everything you value; instead, focus on your top 3-5.

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How to Tailor Your Statement to Different Jobs and Industries (With 4 Examples)

If you plan on applying for multiple positions or industries, write one statement and tailor it for each application. 

As you review your statement, you’ll notice values overlap with other industries or positions. When that’s the case, tweak some of your words to make them suitable for the specific job you’re applying to. 

We’ve made a list of top values by industry to give you a clear perspective on what different jobs may require of you. Plus, we’ve included sample value statements with outlines so you can write your own! 

Top Values for Marketing and Communication

• Collaboration
• Responsibility
• Flexibility

Top Values for Banking and Finance

• Confidentiality
• Accountability
• Independence

Top Values for the Medical Industry

• Reliability
• Friendliness

Top Values in Business

• Perseverance
• Adaptability

Once you know what values are important to your industry, use our examples below to get writing! 

How to Craft a Compelling LinkedIn Personal Value Statement 

After spending seven years in digital communication, I’ve learned the best relationship with clients comes when they trust the integrity of my work. Whether writing web copy or responding to emails, I strive for deep authenticity and integrity. 

Clients have appreciated my innovation and flexibility; these are all values I see in your company. I will be an asset to your team and can easily fit into your company culture. 

Write Your Own: 

• Next, connect your values and work experience with the company you are applying to.
• Finish with a statement about what you will bring to the company.

How to Make a Connection With Your Personal Value Statement

Dear (Insert name),

When I discovered you mentor women, I knew I wanted to work for you. I have spent the last six years mentoring women to succeed in finance, which, as you know, is an industry where women are still underrepresented. 

My passion for equity and inclusion is only rivaled by my devotion to confidentiality and integrity. As Corporate Finance Manager, I would balance completing tasks on my own with maximizing profits as a team. 

I would value the opportunity to discuss this position further and how I can positively impact the company’s financial health.

Kind Regards,

(Your name) 

• Open by connecting your values to the values of the person you are writing to. This will immediately catch their attention and make them more likely to keep reading. If you have a personal connection, make sure you lead with that! 
• Detail how your values are related to the role you are applying for.
• End with a request to discuss your value proposition, and include a teaser to show you have strategically considered your role in their company. 

How to Create Interest With a Story Based Personal Value Statement

Growing up, I dreamed of being a medical worker who saved the world with a stethoscope and bandaids. While my dreams have matured into a more balanced and realistic perspective, I continue to be motivated by a desire to help sick and hurting people. 

That desire has also expanded into a passion for justice and equity in medical care. The more I work with patients, the more I am driven to provide compassionate care. Patients describe me as friendly and kind, and I’ve been recognized for my devotion to ethics and empathy. 

• The medical field is one of those jobs where people want to know why you’re in the industry, but even if you aren’t in medicine, telling a story is a unique way to catch attention. Try opening with a short story that gives a sense of humanity to the value statement. Make sure the story connects to your current values. 
• Expand on your values and describe how your patients, clients, staff, or employers view your work. 

How to Challenge Industry Perceptions With Your Personal Value Statement

Business isn’t about numbers. It’s about people. I thrive on turning around failed projects and floundering companies others have given up on. 

Throughout my career, I’ve earned the trust of both individuals and companies through diligence and commitment to integrity. I’ve maintained these relationships over the eight years I’ve spent helping people succeed.  

• Open your statement with a hook that challenges perceptions about your industry. Just be careful not to do this in a way that could be seen as arrogant or rude. Avoid this by expanding the vision of what people usually think of rather than dismissing industry standards or norms. 
• Lead into how your values have contributed to your success. 
• Wrap it up with a compelling statement that makes you stand out. 

The Advantages of Having a Personal Value Statement

These are the top four advantages of having a personal value statement. 

• A personal value statement can give you a competitive edge. 
• It acts as an anchor for making decisions. 
• Helps you accomplish your goals.
• It’s easy to change it as your values change.

Let’s look at these more closely. 

Whether you’re applying for your first job or you’ve been in the workforce for years, you need something you can reference when facing big decisions. 

Regularly questioning yourself is a good habit to adopt. Ask yourself, 

• Am I living the life I would like to? If not, why? 
• Is my job in-line with my vision and values?
• If I do X, will that take me away from what I value or towards it? 
• If I say yes/no to this, will I go against what I value? 

Having a personal value statement makes answering these questions a lot easier. Plus, writing down your values is like putting down boundaries around what you will and will not do. That helps you accomplish your goals instead of being distracted by good but unnecessary things. 

Even if you never face a big, dramatic, ethical dilemma, you will have to make decisions that could take you away from what you value. Sometimes that happens when you make decisions that look good but aren’t good for you. 

Another great thing about having a personal value statement is you can change it! What you value today might change with time, and that’s fine. 

Give yourself the freedom to shift your values as the seasons and rhythms of your life change. 

Along with a personal value statement, having professional development goals will provide a roadmap to success. Check out our 25 Professional Development Goals to Help You Succeed . 

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Stand out to your hiring panel with a personal value statement

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What is a personal value statement?

Where to share your personal value statement, finding the sweet spot, how to write a personal value statement, personal value statement examples, getting the job.

You’re a strong job applicant. You have exceptional skills and this seems like a job you were born to do. But how do you capture a hiring manager’s attention? Start with a personal value statement.

Your personal value statement serves as a roadmap for potential employers that guides them through what’s most important to you and what you’re best at. Like any good set of directions, it shouldn’t be too long or wordy.

While distilling your best qualities down to a short statement sounds like a challenge, the process is actually much faster than writing a cover letter.

And we’re here to help. Read on to learn everything you need to know about personal value statements and look at examples to use as a template when writing your own.

A personal value statement is a short letter that outlines your career goals, skillset, and background to recruiters. Your goal with this document is to convey why and how you’re the best candidate for the job. 

A personal value proposition i s your opportunity to explain your short-term and long-term goals, guiding principles, and values. How do you align with the company’s mission and add to its culture? Because it contains such vital information, your personal value statement should stand out on your resume or in your application package.

Use impactful but concise language and sprinkle in some action verbs . 

A personal value statement isn’t something every candidate thinks to include, so be sure to highlight the statement in your formatting so the recruiter can’t miss it.

Remember that statement isn’t the same thing as a cover letter . Instead of diving into the nitty-gritty of your experience and work history in a page or two, your personal value statement or proposition should only be a few paragraphs at most.

An effective statement is well-rounded. It doesn’t focus entirely on your skills or only on your life goals. If you’re stuck in the brainstorming phase, try to find someone you can talk to about your personal and professional values, like a mentor or loved one.

Your personal value statement can find a home in a few different places. Since these statements are usually short, ranging from a few sentences to a couple of paragraphs, you can incorporate yours in several spots throughout your hiring package and application. 

Not all of the information in your resume needs to be sentence fragments and bullet points. If your statement is only a few sentences, slip it into your resume in the summary or objective sections. Your LinkedIn profile is like a digital resume, so you could also include your personal value statement in your “About” section for the recruiters scrolling through your profile.

You can also use your statement during an interview. If the hiring panel asks, “Tell us a bit about yourself?” ground your response with your personal value statement. It’s a good jumping-off point to discuss your background and what you’d bring to the company. You can emphasize how your values align with the company’s mission and the job’s requirements.

Applying for a role that doesn’t require a cover letter? A robust personal value statement can be submitted in its place. Keep it to a few paragraphs and attach it as a separate document alongside your resume. Going above and beyond with a personal statement will make a positive impression on any recruiter reading through your package.

When writing your personal value statement, you need to strike the right balance between highlighting your skills, background, competencies, and work values — all without making your statement look jumbled. But coming up with positive self-descriptors can be difficult, especially if your mind is drawing a blank. 

This is where bolstering your self-knowledge comes in. Before you begin writing, take the time to ask yourself some questions to narrow down your purpose, mission, and vision for the role you’re applying for.

The type of questions you ask yourself matters. Studies have shown asking “why” questions can cause you to focus too much on problems and negativity, but “what” questions spark curiosity and motivation. Remember to approach these questions open-mindedly and invite yourself on a journey of self-discovery .

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• What do you offer this position and company?
• What impact will you make on the team?
• What motivates you to achieve your professional goals?
• What personal goals support your career development?
• What does this company need right now?

After asking yourself some personal questions, it’s time to put your answers into words. Here are six tips for writing your personal value statement:

1. Brainstorm your values and assets

Before you begin writing, take the time to contemplate your most in-demand skills , proudest accomplishments, and relevant work values. Which of your transferable skills  would be the most useful to the company? What accomplishment of yours would wow the recruiter? Think these answers through and have them handy.

2. Be authentic

Nobody can speak to your personal values but you. Convey you’re comfortable being your authentic self  to the hiring team. But remember: authenticity isn’t static, it’s constantly changing and developing . Acknowledging this demonstrates you have a growth mindset , which is an asset.

3. Stay present

You’re in the here and now. While a resume discusses your previous work experience, a personal value statement shouldn’t only dwell on the past. Use the present tense in your writing and emphasize your current skills and core values.

4. Keep it concise

Even if you’re opting for a letter format, your statement shouldn’t be a full page. A strong personal value proposition is between 50–250 words. Don’t be afraid to use bullet points to explain your points more succinctly.

5. Tailor it to the position

In your statement, there isn’t room to ramble. And don’t copy-paste. Be specific and tailor your strengths to the position you’re applying for. That way, you can address the skills and experience the recruiter seeks.

6. Use action verbs

Recruiters who see repeats of the same boring words and phrases won’t stay focused on your statement. To keep the reader engaged, use action words that pack a punch. Pair them with measurements of success. For example: “I directed a successful fundraising campaign that raised over $16,000.” Avoid clichés like “I’m a perfectionist” and “My biggest strength is organization.”

It’s one thing to read about wha t a personal value statement s hould look like, but looking through examples is the best way to get inspired for your own statement. 

Whether you want your statement to be short and sweet or a few hundred words, example personal value statements will help you visualize the formatting and style. Remember: the length of your statement will depend on your needs.

If this replaces a cover letter, it needs to be lengthy and thorough. If you’re squeezing it into your resume, it should be brief and packed with information. Our example statements can serve as a template for you to customize or a source of inspiration.

Here are tw o personal value statement examples t o guide you:

Short example

Working for a non-profit has always provided me with the most meaningful work, and (company name) is an organization I’ve long admired for its thoroughness, care, and dedication to the community.

Should you hire me, my years of experience as a communications director will help me carry out my duties in this role — and I’ll have the opportunity to learn new skills along the way. I’m a self-starter who’s always itching to brainstorm creative solutions, and I’d love to be part of your team.

Long example

Dear (recruiter),

The job description for (position) grabbed my attention as soon as I saw it, and I knew I needed to apply. As a management consultant with over eight years of experience, I’m comfortable breaking down information and charting new ways of interpreting research.

I also enjoy thinking outside of the box when it comes to problem-solving. Even if some of my ideas don’t work out on the first try, I see the process as a learning opportunity helping me get that much closer to solving the puzzle.

As a consultant at your firm, I’ll add the following to your team:

• A positive and encouraging attitude
• Strong collaboration skills with team members
• Extensive experience in complex problem-solving
• Expert knowledge of federal laws and regulations

You’re a new company that’s already making its mark on the industry. I admire your trailblazing, especially in environmental research. Your team will benefit from having a seasoned and experienced consultant onboard who can help you take your products to the next level.

I’d love to talk more about this position and how I plan to positively impact on your company.

(Your name)

Now that you know how to write a personal value statement, y ou’re ready to add one to your hiring package to land your dream job. 

Self-promotion rarely feels natural, but you’ve put in years of hard work to be where you are. Your personal values are strong and guiding. Tell recruiters in your job search to show them why you’re the best fit for the role.

Understand Yourself Better:

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Maggie Wooll, MBA

Maggie Wooll is a researcher, author, and speaker focused on the evolving future of work. Formerly the lead researcher at the Deloitte Center for the Edge, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Maggie is passionate about creating better work and greater opportunities for all.

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Crafting Your Personal Value Statement: Examples to Inspire Success

A personal value statement is a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal development. It is a concise declaration of the values that guide your actions, decisions, and behaviors.

What is a Personal Value Statement?

A personal value statement is a written statement that articulates your core values and beliefs. It serves as a compass, guiding you in making choices aligned with what truly matters to you. By identifying your values, you gain clarity about what is most important in your life and can align your actions accordingly.

Defining Personal Values

Personal values are the principles and standards that shape and define your character. They represent what you stand for and what you believe in. Personal values include integrity, honesty, respect, compassion, growth, and collaboration.

Exploring the Purpose and Benefits of a Personal Value Statement

A personal value statement helps you align your choices with your core values and create a life that is true to yourself. It provides a sense of direction, enhances decision-making, and fosters self-awareness. By living in alignment with your values, you experience greater fulfillment, satisfaction, and success.

Why Should You Create a Personal Value Statement?

Creating a personal value statement is essential for personal development and success. It allows you to define your guiding principles, set clear intentions, and make choices that align with your values. It ensures that your actions harmonize with your beliefs, leading to a more authentic and purposeful life.

Steps to Craft Your Personal Value Statement

• Reflect on Your Core Values: Identify your core values by considering what is truly important to you and what principles govern your life.
• Identify Your Goals and Aspirations: Determine your goals, dreams, and aspirations. Consider how your values can support and guide you in achieving these aspirations.
• Consider Your Strengths and Passions: Reflect on your strengths and passions. How can you align your values with your unique abilities and interests?
• Aligning Your Values with Your Life Choices: Evaluate your current choices and decisions. Assess whether they are in alignment with your values. Make adjustments as necessary to ensure consistency.

Examples of Personal Value Statements

• Prioritizing Growth and Learning: I commit to continuous personal and professional growth, embracing learning opportunities, and challenging myself to reach my full potential.
• Emphasizing Integrity and Ethics: I embody integrity and ethical behavior in all aspects of my life. I value honesty, transparency, and accountability treating others fairly and respectfully.
• Focusing on Collaboration and Teamwork: I believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork. I actively seek opportunities to work with others, valuing diversity and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Tips for Writing an Effective Personal Value Statement

• Be Clear and Concise: Use clear and straightforward language to keep your statement concise and easy to understand.
• Use Positive and Inspiring Language: Frame your values in a positive and uplifting manner, inspiring and motivating yourself and others.
• Make it Personal and Authentic: Write your statement in your voice, reflecting your unique personality and beliefs. Ensure it resonates with who you truly are.

How a Personal Value Statement Can Inspire Success

• Guiding Decision-Making and Prioritization: Your value statement helps you make decisions aligned with your core beliefs, ensuring your actions and choices harmonize with your values.
• Providing Motivation and a Sense of Purpose: By living according to your values, you cultivate a sense of purpose and motivation as you pursue what truly matters to you.
• Building Authentic Relationships and Connections: Your personal value statement attracts like-minded individuals and fosters authentic relationships based on shared values and principles.

Understanding the Importance of a Personal Value Statement

Recognizing the significance of a personal value or mission statement is crucial for personal and professional success. It offers clarity by identifying core beliefs and guiding principles, acting as a compass for decision-making and actions. Articulating our values enhances self-awareness, allowing us to align choices with our values and leading to fulfillment.

A personal value statement fosters authenticity and integrity, earning the trust and respect of others. Regularly reviewing it ensures it reflects our authentic selves, empowering purposeful living.

A personal value statement concisely expresses an individual’s core beliefs and principles, guiding their behavior and decisions, serving as a moral compass for living purposefully, and reflecting on what matters most. It provides clarity and direction, helping individuals prioritize actions aligned with their values for a life of intention and integrity. Personal value statements are unique and subject to evolution. Common values include integrity, compassion, honesty, growth, and respect.

Notably, a survey from Harvard Business Review shows that employees aligned with their company’s values are more engaged and satisfied.

Personal values are core principles that direct our behavior and choices, reflecting our beliefs and priorities in life. Defining personal values is crucial for personal growth and success. To do so, start by reflecting on your beliefs and identifying principles like honesty, compassion, or integrity that shape your character and decisions. Consider how these values align with your goals, whether they support your career or personal ambitions. Recognize that personal values reflect your strengths and passions, enhancing a more fulfilling life.

By defining personal goals and aligning personal values, you can navigate life choices more authentically and successfully, leading to greater satisfaction and purposeful living.

Exploring the purpose and benefits of a personal value statement empowers individuals to align their actions with their core values, guiding decision-making and goal-setting. Crafting a personal value statement helps clarify priorities, enabling individuals to identify and emphasize their values fostering choices aligned with what truly matters. This statement acts as a constant reminder of these priorities, maintaining focus and motivation, even in challenging times, and promoting self-awareness.

It also serves as a self-promotion tool, effectively conveying values and unique qualities to potential employers or clients, facilitating authentic connections with like-minded individuals, and contributing to higher satisfaction and well-being when actions align with core values.

Creating a personal value statement is crucial for clarity, motivation, and authentic relationships. It defines your core beliefs, aiding decision-making alignment with values. It fosters motivation and focus, even in challenges. It attracts like-minded individuals, enhancing relationships.

In career matters, it strengthens your research and value proposition and assesses job fit. Overall, it guides a purposeful life.

• The first step in crafting your personal value statement is to reflect on your core values. Consider what virtues and beliefs are most important to you.
• Next, identify your goals and aspirations. Determine what you want to achieve in your personal and professional life.
• Consider your strengths and passions. Think about what activities and skills you excel at and what brings you joy.
• Align your values with your life choices. Ensure that your actions and decisions align with your core values.

Reflect on Your Core Values

• Take time for self-reflection: Set aside moments of solitude to reflect on your core values and contemplate your beliefs, principles, and what you hold dear.
• Identify your fundamental values: Consider the qualities and ideals that define who you are and what you stand for. Reflect on your core values and consider if they include honesty, compassion, resilience, creativity, or any other values that resonate with you.
• Consider your actions: Reflect on your core values and think about times when you felt most fulfilled, satisfied, or proud. What values were you honoring in those moments? What actions were aligned with your core beliefs?
• Examine your priorities: Reflect on your core values and consider where you allocate your time, energy, and resources. Does it align with your core values? Are there any areas that need adjustment?
• Seek feedback: Talk to trusted friends, family members, or mentors who know you well. They can provide insights into your values that you may not have considered.

Identify Your Goals and Aspirations

• Reflect on what you want to achieve in your personal and professional life.
• Consider your passions and what brings you joy and fulfillment.
• Identify your strengths and skills that align with your goals.
• Set specific and measurable short-term and long-term goals.
• Visualize your ideal future and create a plan for how to achieve it.

Consider Your Strengths and Passions

When crafting your personal value statement, it’s crucial to integrate your strengths and passions. Reflect on what truly matters and drives you. Highlight your unique qualities and the areas where you excel, whether leadership or creativity.

Aligning your statement with these aspects will showcase your expertise and enthusiasm and enhance your success, especially in job-related and career development matters.

Aligning Your Values with Your Life Choices

Aligning your values with your choices is essential for a purposeful and fulfilling life. This requires reflection to identify your core values and prioritize what truly resonates with you. It ensures your decisions align with your beliefs, fostering authenticity and fulfillment while allowing you to stay true to yourself.

This process ensures your life and mission remain meaningful as your values evolve.

Crafting a compelling personal value statement is vital to achieve success. In this section, discover expert tips to help you write an effective value statement. Find out how to convey clarity and conciseness, use positive and inspiring language, and infuse your statement with personal authenticity.

These tips will empower you to stand out, communicate your worth, and inspire others through your unique values. Get ready to craft a value statement that leaves a lasting impact!

Be Clear and Concise

When crafting your personal value statement, prioritize clarity and conciseness. Use powerful language to convey your values and aspirations without unnecessary details. A clear and concise personal mission statement also ensures that your audience, whether employers or colleagues, can quickly grasp your fundamental principles and values. Avoid lengthy explanations while still conveying depth and substance through strong action verbs and quantitative descriptors.

Use Positive and Inspiring Language

When crafting your personal value statement, use positive and inspiring language to create a strong impression on potential employers, colleagues, or clients. Incorporate action verbs to showcase your proactive approach, use descriptive language to highlight your qualities, and evoke trust with words emphasizing your ability to connect with others. Express your vision statement and passion for your work concisely to ensure clarity.

For example, a marketing strategist successfully used uplifting language to secure job interviews and enhance their LinkedIn profile, ultimately landing a job where they could make a significant impact.

Make it Personal and Authentic

To create a personal and authentic value statement, reflect on your life experiences and how they’ve shaped your values. Be genuine and express your true beliefs, avoiding the temptation to cater mission statements to others’ expectations. Share personal anecdotes to illustrate your values and make your statement relatable. Write in your voice, using language that feels natural to you, ensuring authenticity.

Guiding Decision-making and Prioritization

• Identify your core values: Take the time to reflect on your values important to you in life and work.
• Evaluate your options: When faced with decisions, use your personal value statement as a guide to assess which choices align with your values.
• Rank your priorities: Prioritize your tasks and goals based on how well they align with your core values. This lets you focus your time and energy on what matters most.
• Stay true to your values: Use your personal value statement as a reminder and compass when faced with challenges or temptations that may go against your values.
• Review and adapt: Regularly review and update your personal value statement as your priorities and goals evolve.

Providing Motivation and a Sense of Purpose

A personal value statement is a guiding principle aligned with core beliefs, offering motivation and clarity in various life areas, including career decisions. It helps define goals, inspires in challenging times, and enhances job fit by aligning values with organizations. It’s valuable in resumes, cover letters, interviews, and networking to convey an understanding of personal values and attract like-minded connections. The statement should prioritize concise, positive, and inspiring language while staying authentic.

A personal value statement empowers individuals to make meaningful life choices, pursue goals, and find purpose.

Building Authentic Relationships and Connections

Building authentic relationships and connections is essential for personal and professional success. These connections are rooted in trust, respect, and effective communication, offering partnerships, mentorships, and collaboration opportunities. To cultivate genuine relationships, active listening, sincere engagement, and understanding others’ perspectives are key. Networking events and platforms like LinkedIn provide avenues to connect with like-minded individuals, where professionalism and value articulation are important.

Maintaining these connections through consistent effort, support, and selflessness fosters a strong network based on shared interests and values, benefiting both p

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How to write a powerful personal values statement

Oct 3, 2020  | Updated May 2, 2024 by Jennifer Bridges  @JenBridgesRD

• 1. List your values
• 2. Group them into themes
• 3. Get rid of least important ones
• 4. Say why each is important
• Best practices
• Example statement
• How to use it

Talk to an expert

This post has been modified to reflect new information since its original publication.

If you haven’t identified the things that matter most to you, then you might end up working for a company that isn’t a good fit. For example, if you prioritize introspection and alone time, but you pass up a back-office role to take a customer-facing position because it offers more prestige, then you’ll quickly become frustrated. One way to avoid this problem is to write a personal values statement—a bulleted list that describes the things you care about. 

The more precisely you define your values, the more likely you will be to find a career that aligns with those values. A well-thought-out personal values statement is also a great way to show potential employers your personal brand and the high moral standards you live your life by.

Follow these steps to create a personal values statement that can serve as a guiding light for your personal, as well as your professional, life.

1. Write down the things you value

The first step is to brainstorm what traits, qualities, and characteristics you admire. Write down everything that comes to mind, and don’t worry about how long your list gets; you’ll condense it down to a manageable size in the next step.

Here are some common values you might consider. However, this list is far from complete. Don’t feel obligated to restrict your choices to those listed here:

• Achievement
• Dependability
• Determination
• Independence
• Intelligence
• Responsibility

If you are having trouble thinking of values to list, you can ask yourself these questions:

• What traits do you admire in others? —What values make a person special? Bravery? Compassion? Intelligence?
• Which values made your past successes possible? —Did you close that deal because of your persistence or patience? 
• What types of behavior inspire you? —This behavior usually represents a value you admire.
• What kinds of behavior make you mad? —This is usually the opposite of a value you appreciate.
• What are you most proud of? —Think of the value associated with your proudest accomplishment. For example, did you complete the marathon due to your fortitude or optimism?
• What’s the one thing you would change about yourself? —Is there a particular value you struggle with?
• Describe the happiest time of your life —What were you doing? What value is involved?

Once you’ve listed between 20 and 40 items, it’s time to start editing your list.

2. Group your values into themes

After you’ve created your list, you need to reduce it to a more manageable size. Luckily, many of the values you’ve listed will naturally fall under larger categories. 

For example: 

• Intelligence , learning , and discernment can all fit under wisdom .
• Responsibility , honesty , and honor can all fit under accountability .
• Respect , loyalty , and kindness can all fit under friendship .

Keep sorting items in your list until everything fits into an appropriate overarching theme. These themes are your personal values.

3. Eliminate the least important values 

Now that you’ve condensed your personal values list, you need to reduce it further by choosing the top five or 10 values to use in your personal values statement. An easy way to do this is to rank each one from most important to least important.

Try comparing two values at a time and ask yourself, “If I had to live without one of these values, which would it be?” Then, go through the rest of your list, two at a time, deciding which one is less important.

4. Write a sentence describing why each value is important to you

When you’ve finalized your list of values, you need to give each one a context. To do so, you should write a sentence or two explaining what each one means to you. 

How do you interpret this value? How do you live it in your life?

For example, if your value is empathy, you could say something like this:

“ Empathy—Being open to learning about others’ experiences and the motivations behind their actions. Letting people know you are there for them. ”

Personal value statement best practices

Everyone’s personal values statement is unique to them, but there are a few common guidelines to keep in mind when creating yours.

• Be authentic —Don’t try to be someone you’re not. There’s no point in writing a personal values statement if the values you list don’t come from your heart. 
• Get a second opinion —Show your statement to your family, friends, coworkers, and even your boss. These people know you best and will have the best insights and suggestions to improve your statement.
• Keep it current —Revisit your statement every year or so to see if it needs updating. Everyone changes over time. It makes sense that your values might change too. For example, getting married and having a baby might lead you to value financial security more than you did when you were single. 
• Ignore mundane values —Don’t leave a value off your list because you worry others might find it boring. Your list won’t be authentic if you self-censor your values.
• Rush the process —Writing an effective personal values statement takes a lot of time and introspection. Trying to whip it out during your lunch break is a sure way to fail.
• Include a negative —Don’t include any value that others might interpret as a negative, even if you think you can put a positive spin on it.

“ … your personal core values are there to guide behavior and choice. Get them right and you’ll be swift and focused in your decision-making, with clear direction. Get them wrong or leave them ambiguous, and you’ll constantly wonder how you got into this mess. ”—Kevin Daum

Personal value statement example

Here’s an example of a personal values statement by Ronald Huereca .

Creative/Innovative : Being creative/innovative is thinking outside the box on a lot of issues. It’s challenging authority and figuring out why things are done a certain way. It’s being proactive about fixing problems and finding solutions.

Intelligence : Intelligence is willing to learn and continue learning new things each and every day. It’s not afraid to ask questions and figure out the “in the mud” details.

Loyalty : Loyalty is staying on the ship no matter how violent the storm. When one is loyal, the person never leaves and never questions the integrity of his higher up.

Open Minded/Independent : Being open minded/independent is important in order to be objective to be a better decision maker. It’s realizing why one is making decisions and being able to see a broader picture.

Self Disciplined : Being self-disciplined is running in the 100-degree heat when nobody else is out there with you. It’s quitting the filthy habit that consumes you. It’s getting up for work when there is no one to hold you accountable. It’s being true to the God you will never see in this lifetime.

Self Aware : Being able to analyze one’s decisions and beliefs. It’s knowing why you made the decision and why you believe what you believe.

How to use your personal values

Now that you’ve created a powerful personal values statement, it’s time to put it to work. 

Promote your personal brand

It’s a good idea to add your personal values statement to the “About Me” section of your personal website or your LinkedIn profile . If you have a career portfolio , you can add it there too. This way, you can show potential employers and those looking to network with you what principles guide you.

Make career decisions

However, a personal values statement is most useful when you use it as a benchmark for making important career decisions. All you need to do is ask yourself “What would a person who values X do?”

Imagine you are offered a big promotion, but the new position requires relocating to another city. If you have school-age children and your family is your highest priority, then it will be easy to stay true to your values and turn down the promotion to avoid disrupting your kids’ lives.

“ When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier. ”—Roy E. Disney

Being sure of your values can also simplify the process of looking for a job. For example, if you value interaction, connection, and friendship, then you won’t search for any position that includes a lot of alone time. Conversely, if conversation, wealth, and adventure are what motivate you, then you will look for something like a sales job that involves a lot of travel.

To get a good idea of a potential employer’s values, you can ask probing questions like the following during interviews:

• “What’s it like to work here?” 
• “What’s the best/worst thing about working here?” 
• “How does the company recognize employees for their success?”
• “If you could change one thing about the company, what would it be?”
• “What kind of people tend to be most successful here?”
• “Does the company have any programs to give back to the community?”

Once you figure out what the company cares about most, you can decide if these values align with your own.

Write other professional documents

A personal values statement can also serve as the basis for creating a variety of other professional documents, including the following:

• Career goals statement
• Personal mission statement  
• Personal vision statement

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Personal Values: Meaning, 25 Examples & How To Discover Yours

We all have values that guide us and shape our decisions. These values are deeply held beliefs about what is important in life and how we should conduct ourselves. 

Knowing your values is essential for living a meaningful life and ensuring your actions align with what you believe in.

Understanding your core values can help you make better choices, set goals, and prioritize tasks. It also helps cultivate self-awareness, an important part of personal growth.

In this article, we’ll discuss personal values and provide a list of core values to help you start discovering your own.

Understanding Personal Values: An Explanation

Understanding your values helps you define what is important and how you want to live your life.

Your personal values are the things that you believe are most essential in life, such as honesty, integrity, loyalty, respect, and trustworthiness. They influence your behavior and decision-making process by providing a framework for what is right and wrong.

Your values also dictate how you interact and work with others towards shared goals. If someone else’s core values conflict with yours, it could lead to tension or disagreement between you.

Your values are also closely aligned with your beliefs and feelings about yourself. What you value reflects your feelings about yourself and what is important to you. It’s an expression of who you are and can help shape the life that you want for yourself.

A Compilation of 25 Personal Core Value Instances

Here’s a list of the top 25 personal core values to help you determine your priorities. Personal values are:

Self-discipline

Flexibility, responsibility.

Compassionate individuals understand that everyone around them is experiencing their struggle in life and can show empathy during difficult moments and when someone else’s success needs celebration too!

This core value encourages all forms of caring, understanding, emotional support, kindness, cooperation, consideration, and more – all from a sincere place within ourselves towards others who may need it most at any given moment.

Integrity is an important core value because it guides our behavior and keeps us in check when faced with difficult choices or situations.

It’s the foundation of trust, loyalty, and ethical decision-making. Integrity means being honest, truthful, reliable, responsible, and accountable for our actions – all essential to cultivating meaningful relationships.

Respect serves as a reminder to be mindful of how we treat others – whether they’re friends, family members, colleagues, or strangers.

By practicing respect, we can learn to appreciate diversity and foster appreciation for different backgrounds and perspectives. This mindset helps us create strong relationships with those around us while also enjoying ourselves!

Kindness is an important core value because it’s the foundation of giving and receiving love. Showing kindness to others can be as simple as a random act of service or a genuine compliment. Still, it’s also about understanding that everyone is worthy of kindness, no matter their differences.

Being kind helps us nurture relationships and create strong connections with those we meet along life’s journey.  

Honesty is a cornerstone of a meaningful life. It fosters trust and strengthens relationships by allowing us to be our true selves with those around us. Being honest also helps us stay in touch with reality, as it sets the foundation for making choices aligned with our values and beliefs.

Gratitude is an essential core value because it teaches us to appreciate what we have and not take anything for granted. Practicing gratitude helps us focus on what’s important instead of what is lacking – which can bring peace, joy, and contentment into our lives.

Fostering a spirit of thankfulness also allows us to recognize how far we’ve come and encourages us to keep striving toward our goals.

Empathy is an important core value because it allows us to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and understand their feelings without passing judgment or expecting anything in return.

This level of understanding can promote compassion towards others and help bridge gaps between different cultures, religions, and backgrounds.

Practicing empathy will also help you become a better communicator by giving you insight into other peoples’ perspectives. 

Humility is an important core value because it helps us to stay grounded and remain humble in the face of success or achievement. It encourages us to recognize our limitations and not take ourselves too seriously, which can promote healthy relationships with others.

Self-discipline is an essential core value as it allows us to restrain ourselves from engaging in activities or behaviors that might harm our well-being or personal development.

Being disciplined requires us to set boundaries for ourselves and be mindful of how we spend our time and energy – which can lead to increased productivity and improved focus.

Patience is a core value, allowing us to remain calm in difficult or trying situations. Practicing patience will help us stay rational and level-headed in all aspects of life, allowing us to see different perspectives and consider alternate solutions to problems. Not only that but having patience can also reduce stress levels and improve our overall mental health.

Loyalty is an important core value that demonstrates commitment and trustworthiness towards someone or something.

It helps people stay true to their values even when times get tough, enabling them to maintain relationships with others despite differences in opinion or lifestyle choices. Cultivating loyalty encourages respect for oneself and others, making it a great quality.

Optimism is a core value that allows us to remain hopeful and positive despite difficult or challenging situations.

People who practice optimism can use it to look at life in a more positive light and cultivate an attitude of resilience when faced with adversity. It helps us focus on the good rather than just the bad and promotes growth rather than stagnation.

Having an adventurous spirit encourages us to be brave and take risks occasionally. Taking calculated risks sometimes allows us to experience different things outside our comfort zone while developing courage and resilience.

An adventurous attitude doesn’t mean engaging in reckless activities; rather, it involves embracing opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.

Being flexible is important as it enables us to recognize when the situation calls for a change in plans or strategies. People who can adapt quickly and effectively can use this skill to their advantage, allowing them to be better prepared for whatever comes their way.

Cultivating flexibility helps us remain open-minded when approaching new ideas, challenges, and situations.

Responsibility is a core value that encourages accountability and dependability. It is an important reminder that our actions have good and bad consequences.

Taking responsibility for one’s actions encourages people to think twice before acting, preventing unnecessary mistakes. It also teaches us how to learn from our mistakes so we can take steps toward improving ourselves.

Courage is the ability to face our fears and take risks to achieve a goal or accomplish something we believe in. It takes courage to try something new or step outside our comfort zone, but it also allows us to learn more about ourselves and gain confidence.

Being brave enough to take action in situations where others may hesitate can be incredibly empowering.

Openness involves being open-minded, tolerant, and accepting of different points of view. This attitude encourages healthy dialogue between people with varying opinions and lifestyles, allowing us to learn from each other while respecting individual differences.

Developing an open mindset helps promote understanding and empathy towards others, creating a more harmonious environment for everyone involved.

Generosity is the quality of being kind, generous and giving. It encourages us to help others without expecting anything in return. We can be helpful with our time, money, service, or material possessions.

Being generous helps those around us and boosts self-esteem, reminding us that we can make a difference in someone else’s life.

Creativity is thinking outside the box and generating new ideas. It requires imagination and an open mind to explore possibilities that may not have been considered.

While creativity often involves artistic expression, such as painting or music, it can manifest in problem-solving or innovative thinking toward new challenges.

Health involves physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, getting enough rest, and engaging in activities that promote psychological balance. Taking care of our health helps us stay energized and strong enough to face life’s challenges.

Love is an emotion that transcends all boundaries and encourages connection with others. It can be expressed through words or actions such as acts of kindness or spending time with those we love.

With love comes acceptance and understanding, even when we don’t always agree on things. Cultivating relationships based on love allows us to experience true happiness and joy.

Balance is essential for overall well-being as it promotes harmony. It involves balancing work and leisure, rest and activity, and time spent alone or with family and friends. Achieving this equilibrium makes us more productive while maintaining harmony in our relationships.

Security is the sense of safety we feel when we know that our basic needs are met, whether financial security, physical security, emotional security, or any other form of protection from harm.

Achieving this sense of safety helps us relax and enjoy life instead of worrying about what might happen.

Learning is acquiring new knowledge or skills through experience, practice, observation, or instruction. It can include anything from traditional education in a classroom setting to self-learning through research and exploration.

Learning helps us grow intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually while building our confidence and expanding our perspectives.

Growth is both physical and psychological. It can involve learning new skills, growing, or taking risks to achieve our desired goals.

Change can be challenging as it requires us to push beyond our comfort zone. Still, this experience helps develop resilience and personal empowerment, which are essential for a successful life.

The Significance of Personal Values and an Accompanying List Highlighting Their Advantages

Personal values are critically important and can profoundly affect our lives. Understanding your core values can help you make better decisions, set goals, and prioritize tasks.

These values help to create a sense of purpose and clarity in our lives, providing us with a framework for making ethical decisions.

Furthermore, personal values can be an effective tool for self-realization and growth. Assessing and identifying our core values can help us become more aware of our motivations and behavior patterns. It also allows us to live a life aligned with our beliefs.

Here are some of the key advantages of having personal values:

• Self-Knowledge: Knowing your core values lets you know yourself better and make informed decisions about how you want to live.
• Clarity: Core values clarify our beliefs and feelings about ourselves and others. This helps set boundaries within relationships and manage conflicts when they arise.
• Motivation: Having clear personal values motivates us to live up to our highest standards, enabling us to reach greater heights.
• Guidance: Our core values act as guiding principles that keep us focused on what’s important in life, helping us stay on track to achieve our goals and aspirations.
• Resilience: Understanding your values helps build resilience against obstacles because it provides an internal compass that directs you back onto the right path whenever you feel lost or overwhelmed by challenges or setbacks in life.

Overall, having a set of personal values is essential for leading an authentic and fulfilling life. It’s important to take the time to reflect on what matters most to us and then make decisions that are in alignment with those values.

A clear sense of our values can help direct us toward meaningful action, giving us the strength and courage to overcome obstacles.

Advantages of Upholding Personal Values

Upholding personal values has many advantages for leading a meaningful life.

One advantage is that having a clear set of values allows us to make decisions aligned with our beliefs and feelings.

This helps us stay true to ourselves, enabling us to remain in control of our lives and have more confidence in our choices. It also allows us to maintain healthy relationships by setting boundaries and fostering respect.

Core values can also be a great source of motivation as they serve as guiding principles that keep us focused on achieving our goals.

By keeping track of what we value most, we can remain committed and stay on course toward reaching our desired outcomes. This helps to build resilience against any obstacles or setbacks we may face along the way.

Understanding our values can lead to greater self-knowledge and awareness. We become more aware of who we are, our personal strengths , and what type of life we want for ourselves – providing clarity about what’s important in life.

This helps us gain insight into how to direct our actions toward meaningful results, encouraging us to take action with purpose and intention.

Ultimately, upholding personal values is important to living an authentic and fulfilling life. By reflecting on what matters most, making decisions that align with those values, and staying motivated by our guiding principles, we open ourselves up to a world full of possibilities, allowing us to reach greater heights than ever.

A Guide to Discovering and Delineating Personal Values

Let’s now dive into how to discover and delineate your values.

Step 1: Recognize instances when you felt the utmost happiness

To begin discovering and delineating your values, it is important to reflect on moments in life that made us feel the happiest or even take the personal values test to discover what you value the most.

This could be when we received a job promotion, had an amazing vacation, or got accepted into college. These happy moments can indicate most in our lives, representing things that have brought joy and satisfaction.

For instance, if we felt particularly joyful about getting accepted into college, this may signify that education is important to us.

If we thought seriously about going on a dream vacation with friends or family, this could demonstrate that relationships are valuable for us. Being conscious of these events and reflecting on their significance can provide insight into how to prioritize our values.

In addition to recognizing moments where we felt the utmost happiness, it is equally important to evaluate other experiences in life, such as successes or failures.

Reflecting on how we coped with difficult situations and analyzing why certain decisions were made can also provide us with invaluable information about ourselves and the behaviors that guide us.

Step 2: Pinpoint moments of intense pride

Our values are often formed and shaped by moments of intense pride. For instance, achieving something we have worked hard for, such as taking an exam or winning a competition, can feel gratifying and give us a strong sense of accomplishment.

Similarly, if we help someone in need or receive recognition for a job well done, these experiences can evoke feelings of validation and gratification.

By reflecting on our proudest moments, we can better understand what brings us joy and satisfaction. Whether it’s working on projects to better the community or dedicating ourselves to a cause that we believe in – recognizing these experiences will help us define our values in life.

Taking the time to appreciate these moments allows us to recognize how far we have come and inspires us to take on future challenges enthusiastically.

Step 3: Identify periods of maximal fulfillment and satisfaction

Maximal pride and joy can be found at various times throughout our lives. For instance, when we make meaningful connections with others in our community, such as volunteering for an organization close to our hearts or engaging in conversations with those we look up to for advice.

Sometimes, moments of maximal fulfillment can also come from within ourselves. Taking the time to appreciate our accomplishments and reflect on how far we have come can bring a sense of gratification.

In addition, if there are hobbies or activities we have dedicated ourselves to over extended periods, these experiences can also bring immense pleasure and joy.

Step 4: Extract your values from your experiences of joy, pride, and contentment

Extracting our values from experiences of joy, pride, and contentment can help us better understand what is most important to us in life. We can reflect on moments of immense gratification and realize that these experiences have shaped our values and beliefs.

For example, if, more often than not, we find ourselves helping those in need or dedicating time towards volunteering for organizations that align with our personal beliefs, then it is likely that generosity, altruism, and compassion are some of our core values.

Similarly, let’s take the time to appreciate accomplishments made within ourselves, such as setting goals to improve self-esteem or completing a challenging project at work-ambition and dedication may be two of our top values.

Step 5: Rank your values according to their importance

Once we have pinpointed a set of values that have been derived from experiences of joy, pride, and contentment, it is important to rank them in order of importance. This allows us to prioritize our values and better understand which ones are essential to lead meaningful lives.

We find generosity, ambition, and dedication our top three values. In that case, we can determine which one holds the greatest significance for us by reflecting on how much they influence our daily decisions.

Suppose generosity is consistently at the forefront of our actions while ambition or dedication might sometimes take a back seat. In that case, generosity is likely our most important value.

By recognizing the personal values that define us, we can approach life with a greater sense of purpose and appreciation. This will enable us to make more mindful decisions that align with our values and ultimately live richer, more fulfilling lives.

Step 6: Reconfirm your value system

It is not uncommon for us to forget or neglect certain values over time, so it is important to assess which ones are still relevant in our lives routinely. Doing this can help us better understand when changes must be made and adjust accordingly.

We can start by revisiting our list of values and reflecting on how each has influenced us over the past few years. If a previously important value no longer resonates with us, it may be time to replace it with something else or reassign its rank in our hierarchy.

It is also beneficial to occasionally compare our value system to those around us. This can help us gain new perspectives and reconsider what values are most meaningful for us as individuals.

Ultimately, reconfirming our value system allows us to stay true to ourselves and ensure that we remain focused on leading an authentic life.

The Methodology of Ranking Your Values

Ranking our values is not a one-size-fits-all process. It requires us to reflect deeply on what matters most to us and how our values shape the decisions we make each day.

To do this, we can start by writing down a list of all the values that are important to us. This can include anything from generosity, ambition, dedication, loyalty, integrity, compassion, etc.

Once we have our list of values, we will begin ranking them in order of importance. We can do this by considering how much each value has influenced our daily decisions and actions over the past few years.

If two or more values seem equally significant, it may be helpful to take some time and reflect on which one holds more meaning for us in the long term.

It is also beneficial to consider how our values compare to those around us. Doing so will provide us with new perspectives and allow us to reassess what’s truly important for our individual needs and goals.

We must remain open-minded and honest about what matters most throughout this process. This will ensure that our values system reflects who we truly are and accurately represents the direction we want our lives to go.

By taking the time to rank our values, we are creating a strong foundation for a fulfilling and purposeful life.

We will better understand what’s truly important to us while allowing us to make more informed decisions in line with our beliefs. This ultimately leads to greater satisfaction and fulfillment as we move forward on our journey.

How to Modify and Adjust Your Value System as Required

One way to modify and adjust our value system is by understanding the importance of self-reflection. Self-reflection involves looking within ourselves and assessing how our beliefs and values guide our actions.

This process requires us to be honest with ourselves and identify areas where we need to make changes or adjustments. We can then realign our values with actions, ensuring we live according to the most important principles.

Another way to modify and adjust our value system is by incorporating feedback from others into the evaluation process. Asking for feedback from people we trust, such as friends, family members, mentors, or colleagues, can help us understand how our behavior may impact our relationships.

It can also allow us to see things from another perspective or receive constructive criticism, which can help us make positive changes in our lives.

Finally, it’s important to remember that as we grow and evolve, so should our values. We should continuously reassess what matters most in life and strive for growth in all aspects; emotional intelligence, physical health, spiritual connection, etc.

This will help ensure that we remain authentic in our beliefs while allowing us to make necessary adjustments.

Integrating Values into Everyday Life

Integrating values into everyday life can be challenging, but it is essential for living an authentic and meaningful life. Values are the foundation of our decision-making process and should be considered when making any decisions.

By consciously thinking about our values and how they apply to each situation, we can ensure that our findings reflect those values and remain true to ourselves.

When making decisions with integrity, it’s important to take our emotions out of the equation and focus on the facts instead. This will help us make more informed choices as opposed to ones driven by fear or impulsivity.

Additionally, it’s important to think broadly about the implications of our decisions without prioritizing short-term gains over long-term success. This will ensure that our actions are in line with both our immediate needs as well as with our core values and beliefs.

Living authentically is based on the premise that we honor who we are at every moment and stay true to ourselves even when faced with difficult situations or discomfort.

It requires self-awareness and a deep understanding of what matters most in life; being mindful of these qualities allows us to make decisions based on what truly resonates with us instead of caving into societal pressures or expectations from others.

In addition, living authentically involves setting boundaries to protect one’s energy, time, and resources so that we can devote them to activities that align with our individual needs and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is family considered a personal value.

Yes, family is considered a personal value. Family is an important aspect of many people’s lives and often serves as an anchor of stability that shapes our values and beliefs.

For some people, their family is the most important thing in their life, while for others, it may be less so. It is up to each individual to decide what role family plays in their lives and how this affects their values.

What values do you hold as a student?

The values that one holds as a student may vary greatly depending on individual circumstances and experiences. Generally speaking, students prioritize learning, growth, exploration, critical thinking, and self-improvement. These are all important aspects of academic success and personal development.

How can I articulate my values in writing?

Writing is an excellent way to express your values and beliefs. One of the best ways to do this is to reflect on your life experiences and what you have learned from them.

Think about how those lessons shaped your views on various topics such as morality, relationships, education, etc., and try to capture that in written form. This will help you better define and articulate your core beliefs.

Could you provide examples of beliefs?

Beliefs are deeply held opinions or convictions based on our worldviews. Ideas may include religious faith, political ideology, ethical principles, social justice advocacy, environmentalism, human rights, etc. Whatever your thoughts may be, it is important to recognize and respect the values of others.

Knowing what goes on your personal values list is important to understanding your core identity. It can help you make decisions, prioritize tasks based on what matters most, and remain true to yourself.

By reflecting on life experiences and engaging in meaningful dialogue, it is possible to define and articulate your values in writing.

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How to Focus on Your Values in Your Personal Statement

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by CEG Essay Specialist Kaila Barber in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered: 

Identifying your own values, demonstrate your values with examples.

• Reflecting on Your Experiences

It’s important to keep in mind what your reader is hoping to learn from your personal statement. The statement is an opportunity to reflect on your experiences and demonstrate how you think about and relate to the world around you. Specifically, what are some of your values? What’s meaningful to you? What do you find important? 

Personal values can be things like communication, patience, nature, health, personal development, courage, self-love, authenticity, healthy boundaries, or even humor. Before you start drafting your personal statement, take a moment to reflect on the things that you find important and why. 

We’re all very different people coming from different backgrounds, and we have different experiences that impact our individual values. While some of your values will overlap with those of other people, your personal reflection on the values that resonate most with you will separate your statement from someone else’s. 

The best way to include your values, skills, and traits in your essay is to pair them with specific examples and anecdotes. Each anecdote should align with at least one of the values that you find most important and should be accompanied by your personal reflection on the value and its related experience. 

Here’s an example. A student does not have a parent or guardian around to shoulder the expenses of caring for them and their younger sibling. In their outline, the student says that they value autonomy, financial stability, and family. Throughout the essay, they demonstrate these values by talking about getting a part-time job to help support the family and caring for their sibling at home. They also excel academically and even petition to have an AP Physics II course offered at their school. 

The student has shown autonomy by taking the initiative to petition for the new course and by getting a job. They have also demonstrated that both financial stability and family are important to them by pitching in to support their parent and sibling.

Your examples should show your reader your values by being specific and personal to your background and experiences.

Reflecting on Your Experiences 

Reflecting on your values is an equally important part of the personal statement. Your reflections or insight should focus on not only your experiences but also who you are and who you want to become. The insight you include in your essay shows that you’ve really found meaning from your personal experiences.

Insight can take a few forms. A common way to show insight is by writing about a growth experience. Show how you went from point A in your life to point B, and share the lessons you’ve learned along the way. For example, people often reflect on how navigating a strenuous activity or challenge changed the way that they thought about themselves and what they could handle. Reflecting on that change in confidence is one way to demonstrate insight.

One of the clearest ways to explore insight is to self-reflect and write about how something has either connected you to, influenced, or reframed how you think of your own values. Maybe you once pushed yourself too hard, and that experience showed you the value of rest and mindfulness. Or perhaps a change in circumstances shifted or redefined your values to an extent. 

For example, a person might say that while they craved stability as a child because of their home life, they now see the value of risk-taking and adventure in enriching their own knowledge and experiences. In this example, both security and risk are important to the speaker, but their experiences ultimately shifted weight from one value to another.

Regardless of how you approach your personal statement, insight is the overarching meaning that you take away from the relevant experiences and values you’ve shared.

Are you looking for more guidance as you draft your personal statement? Check out this post on how to come up with a strong topic that wows your admissions reader!

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How to Discover Your Core Values List (and Use Them to Make Better Decisions)

June 14, 2017 By Taylor Pearson

TL;DR Making a core values list takes 15 minutes and will help you make better decisions.

Note: If you’d like to skip straight to the full list of personal values, click here .

Have you ever been faced with a difficult decision and not known which direction to take?

Have you ever spent days or weeks or months going back and forth on a decision? You start with “Yes I will do it,” then “no I won’t,” then back to “yes I will.”

Assuming you’re human, the answer to either of those questions is “yes.”

So how do you decide what to say yes to? And what to say no to?

You need to have a list of personal values to refer to.

Want a step-by-step guide to finding your personal values for the first time?

A Personal Values Definition

What are personal values? Personal values (sometimes called core values) are broad concepts that can be applied over and over again across a range of circumstances, as opposed to narrow answers to specific questions.

Your core values are what you consider most important in your life, literally what you “value.”

Whether you are conscious of them or not, you have values for every part of your life — parenting values, investing values, work values, and health values. There are also more overarching life values.

An example of a value would be:

Self-development : to keep growing, advancing, or improving in knowledge, skills, character, or life experience

This value could help you answer questions like “Should I take a slightly higher paying job where I won’t learn as much, or a lower paying one where I will develop my skills a lot faster?”

All successful people have values that allow them to achieve their goals. If you don’t have values, you are just reacting to events that happen in your life without thinking about how to best react to them in a way that lines up with what’s important to you.

Having a Core Values List Helps You Make Better Decisions

Most people have a bad taste in their mouth about core values because we typically hear about them in the context of companies that often blatantly disregard them.

Enron had a list of four core values including “integrity” and “communication,” which they talked about publicly, while behind the scenes they were actually lying and hiding information from their own employees and shareholders.

You’ve probably worked for a company that had a list of core values posted somewhere, but they didn’t seem to make any impact on the way the company was actually run.

But the truth is that creating a list of personal values is both useful and practical, because you can apply them directly to your own life. I make decisions based on my list every single week.

One of my core values is courage.

I discovered this was a core value for me, because I noticed a tendency in myself to pick projects that were not risky enough and have them fail as a result.

I would have the choice between two opportunities, and I would say “this one will almost certainly work, while the other one is a bit riskier, so I’ll do the easy one.”

Then I would start working on the project, and because it didn’t really stretch me, I would get bored or feel like I wasn’t reaching for what I was capable of. That would end with me quitting or doing subpar work.

In cases where I picked the seemingly riskier choice, I became very engaged in the project and while I was working on it, my capabilities grew to be able to actually do it well.

Picking the more courageous choice meant I was more likely to succeed and enjoy the process more.

By adopting courage as a core principle, I was able to identify that repeated failure pattern in myself and fix it. Given the choice between two opportunities, I now pick the one that is more courageous. I also make these decisions more quickly and efficiently than I did before.

If you aren’t conscious of this, you are likely to make the same mistakes over and over again.

Example: My Core Values List

So how do you put together a list of personal values? I’ll give some examples of personal values from my own life to help you get started in figuring out your own.

Some of them may be helpful to you, but others certainly won’t. I think the core values that are most valuable to each of us come from our own personal experience, not from being taught and accepting someone else’s.

My hope is that by reading through my list, you will get a sense for how a list of core values could be helpful in making better decisions.

• Agency: to choose how I live and behave and help others do likewise; to be self-supportive and choose my own way of doing things.
• Self-Development: to keep growing, advancing, or improving in knowledge, skills, character, or life experience.
• Courage: to be courageous or brave; to persist in the face of fear, threat, or difficulty; to take risks for others.
• Impact: to exert myself into the universe in a way I believe is important. I work for what I want, not what others want from me.
• Soul in the Game: I believe it is an ethical concern that I put my money and time where my mouth is, that I have no divorce between what I preach and my lifestyle. I believe the highest form of ethics is to take on risk for others.
• Reciprocity: to create more value than I capture.

How I Use My Personal List of Values

My personal values are very practical for me and I use them in two main ways.

First, I read over them every week as part of my weekly review . During my review, I reflect on the past week and make plans for the next week. In between reflecting and planning, I read through my core values document.

Second, I read them whenever I am struggling to make a big decision like moving cities or changing careers. Typically, reading through my core values list makes it obvious to me what the right answer is.

Over time, I find that I am getting better at internalizing the values and they express themselves subconsciously with smaller decisions, as well.

What if more than one choice lines up with your core values?

Sometimes a decision can go either way and both still match up with your core values. I was deciding between two books I wanted to write, and the truth is that both of them matched up with my core values.

In that sense, the decision didn’t matter. I could choose to write either book and I would still be in alignment with what matters most to me.

The decision then became more of a strategic question: Which of these books will sell more copies? Which will be most beneficial to my career? Which will I most enjoy writing?

However, the strategy question only comes after the values one.

Two Ways to Discover Your Personal Values

Most of us have values that we have adopted from other pre-packaged sources, like a religion, culture, or legal system. There’s nothing wrong with adopting values from somewhere else and often the values from these sources have incorporated a huge amount of wisdom.

However, by adopting a value system without much thought, it’s easy to hold personal values that lead to a conflict between what you say you believe and the actions you take. I’m sure you’ve met someone who says they believe in the tenets of a particular religious or spiritual tradition, but then they behave counter to its teachings.

So how do you discover your own core values?

1. Having and reflecting on life experiences

The best way to find your values is often through making mistakes and violating them. Good judgment comes from experience and you usually get that experience by making bad judgments.

One of the values I recently added to my list was:

Impact : to exert myself into the universe in a way that I believe is important. I work for what I want, not what others want from me.

This may sound egotistical and you may disagree with it. That’s totally fine.

Over a period of two years, I noticed that when I worked on projects that other people told me I should work on, I wasn’t really excited to be working on them. This meant I did poor quality work, and the project ended up not being very good for my own career or for my customers.

However, when I worked on projects that I believed were really important, even when other people thought they weren’t the best idea, I worked incredibly hard and talked about them passionately, which inspired others to help me. These projects ended up being more successful and helping more people.

So for me, the counterintuitive truth was that by working for what I want and not for what others want, I did more to help other people, which is also one of my values.

2. Hearing someone else clearly express a deeply held belief of mine

The other way I discover my personal values is by hearing someone express a deeply held belief of mine that I did not have the words to articulate.

One of my values is that “I have soul in the game.”

This is a term inspired by a phrase used in The Black Swan that immediately resonated with me. The book explains that having “skin in the game” means you are responsible for the consequences of your actions. Entrepreneurs have skin in the game because if they make a decision and the company tanks, they bear the weight of those consequences.

Having soul in the game is going a step further: taking on risk for others. Think of a whistleblower who speaks out at the risk of destroying their own career.

I’d never had a clear way to put it into words until I read the book, but this resonated with me so much that I added it to my list of personal values.

How to Make Your First Core Values List in Less Than 15 Minutes

1. look through this list of examples of personal values and pick five that resonate with you..

The first time you put together a list of core values, it’s easiest to start from an existing list.

Over time, you can reflect and add or modify these based on your personal experiences, or if you read or hear something that you find resonates with you. Remember that there are no objectively “right” or “wrong” answers.

Look through this list of personal values and make a note of each one that resonates with you by writing it down. Write down at least 10.

If you’d like to download this list to print off or save, you can click here.

• Acceptance: to be open to and accepting of myself, others, life, etc.
• Adventure: to be adventurous; to actively seek, create, or explore novel or stimulating experiences
• Assertiveness: to respectfully stand up for my rights and request what I want
• Authenticity: to be authentic, genuine, and real; to be true to myself
• Beauty: to appreciate, create, nurture, or cultivate beauty in myself, others, the environment, etc.
• Caring: to be caring toward myself, others, the environment, etc.
• Challenge: to keep challenging myself to grow, learn, and improve
• Compassion: to act with kindness toward those who are suffering
• Conformity: to be respectful and obedient of rules and obligations
• Connection: to engage fully in whatever I am doing, and be fully present with others
• Contribution: to contribute, help, assist, or make a positive difference to myself or others
• Cooperation: to be cooperative and collaborative with others
• Courage: to be courageous or brave; to persist in the face of fear, threat, or difficulty
• Creativity: to be creative or innovative
• Curiosity: to be curious, open-minded, and interested; to explore and discover
• Encouragement: to encourage and reward behavior that I value in myself or others
• Equality: to treat others as equal to myself, and vice versa
• Excitement: to seek, create, and engage in activities that are exciting, stimulating, or thrilling
• Fairness: to be fair to myself or others
• Fitness: to maintain or improve my fitness; to look after my physical and mental health and well-being
• Flexibility: to adjust and adapt readily to changing circumstances
• Forgiveness: to be forgiving toward myself or others
• Freedom: to live freely; to choose how I live and behave, or help others do likewise
• Friendliness: to be friendly, companionable, or agreeable toward others
• Fun: to be fun-loving; to seek, create, and engage in fun-filled activities
• Generosity: to be generous, sharing, and giving, to myself or others
• Gratitude: to be grateful for and appreciative of the positive aspects of myself, others, and life
• Honesty: to be honest, truthful, and sincere with myself and others
• Humility: to be humble or modest; to let my achievements speak for themselves
• Humor: to see and appreciate the humorous side of life
• Independence: to be self-supportive, and choose my own way of doing things
• Industry: to be industrious, hard-working, and dedicated
• Intimacy: to open up, reveal, and share myself — emotionally or physically — in my close personal relationships
• Justice: to uphold justice and fairness
• Kindness: to be kind, compassionate, considerate, nurturing, or caring toward myself or others
• Love: to act lovingly or affectionately toward myself or others
• Mindfulness: to be conscious of, open to, and curious about my here-and-now experience
• Open-mindedness: to think things through, see things from others’ points of view, and weigh evidence fairly
• Order: to be orderly and organized
• Patience: to wait calmly for what I want
• Persistence: to continue resolutely, despite problems or difficulties
• Pleasure: to create and give pleasure to myself or others
• Power: to strongly influence or wield authority over others, e.g., taking charge, leading, organizing
• Reciprocity: to build relationships in which there is a fair balance of giving and taking
• Respect: to be respectful toward myself or others; to be polite, be considerate, and show positive regard
• Responsibility: to be responsible and accountable for my actions
• Romance: to be romantic; to display and express love or strong affection
• Safety: to secure, protect, or ensure safety of myself or others
• Self-awareness: to be aware of my own thoughts, feelings, and actions
• Self-care: to look after my health and well-being, and get my needs met
• Self-control: to act in accordance with my own ideals
• Self-development: to keep growing, advancing, or improving in knowledge, skills, character, or life experience.
• Sensuality: to create, explore, and enjoy experiences that stimulate the five senses
• Sexuality: to explore or express my sexuality
• Skillfulness: to continually practice and improve my skills, and apply myself fully when using them
• Spirituality: to connect with things bigger than myself
• Supportiveness: to be supportive, helpful, encouraging, and available to myself or others
• Trust: to be trustworthy; to be loyal, faithful, sincere, and reliable
• Insert your own value here. 1

Next, go through the ones you wrote down and list them from most important to least important.

2. Save the Top 5 values on your list someplace where you can look at them and update them.

I keep my values in an Evernote note where I can easily look at them and modify them.

Your values are always changing and you’re also getting a better idea of what you value. I used to value novelty a lot — new experiences and new people. For a period of my life, that really was a core value and I prioritized my life around it. In the last few years, though, I’ve come to value spending time getting to know the people already in my life more than meeting new people and seeing new places, so I took it off my list.

The terms on the list above are just a starting point and not an exhaustive list. You also want to try and pick terms that emotionally resonate with you. The phrase “soul in the game” probably doesn’t mean anything to you, but it means a lot to me. Whenever I hear something that really resonates with me, I will add it to my list.

3. Look at them regularly.

Now that you have a list of values, you want to put it to work. Pick a time when you can regularly review them. If you have a time in your week, month, or year where you regularly do any sort of planning, reviewing your core values is a good activity to tack on. Regularly looking over them keeps them fresh in your mind and lets you make decisions that align with your values.

I look at mine every Saturday morning, which is when I do my weekly review and planning .

If you’d like to download a worksheet with the full list, enter your email below.

Takeaways on Making a Core Values List

There was a study done in the 1990s by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the author of “ Flow ,” where different professionals were studied to see which ones were happy and productive and which were unhappy and unproductive. The most important factor was alignment with personal values.

The happiest, most productive profession was geneticists because all parties involved respected the best science. Even though pharmaceutical companies were injecting a lot of money into the field, geneticists believed doing the very best science on a day-to-day basis led to more benefits for the general public, the pharmaceutical companies, their universities, and themselves — the work they were doing was in alignment with their core values.

The least happy, and least productive profession was journalism. Most journalists had entered the field with high ideals about truth, making a difference, and the free press. But the decline of the family-run newspaper and rise of corporate media empires made journalism a profit center where all that mattered was sales, which meant good journalism was bad for business and was replaced by scare stories, exaggeration, and scandal. Their values did not align with their day-to-day work.

A follow-up study done by McGregor and Little in 1998 2 found that meaningfulness of individuals’ personal projects depended on how consistent they were with core aspects of self and identity — in other words, their core values.

The happiest and most productive people were taking daily actions in line with their core values.

This gives them a constant sense of motivation, because they see how the work they are doing today leads to a long-term vision that they find meaningful.

Your personal values are specific to you and a result of your own life experiences. You can discover and refine your values through life experience or encountering ideas that resonate with you.

Having a written list of your personal values will help you make better decisions.

Want a step-by-step guide to finding your personal values list for the first time?

Acknowledgment: Ray Dalio .

Last Updated on July 30, 2019 by Taylor Pearson

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• This list was originally sourced from https://thehappinesstrap.com/
• Mcgregor, Ian, and Brian R. Little. “ Personal projects, happiness, and meaning: On doing well and being yourself .” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 74.2 (1998): 494-512. Web. 10 June 2017.
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Core Values List: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values

153 personal values examples: discover your unique core values.

Discovering your personal values is essential for living a life true to yourself: they guide your behavior and decision-making process. In this article, you will find 153 personal values examples that can help you identify and prioritize your own set of values. Reflecting on these examples can provide insights into what truly matters to you, allowing you to make choices with greater clarity and confidence. As you explore this list of values, remember that there is no hierarchy or universal set of “correct” values. Each person’s values are unique, shaped by individual experiences and perspectives.

Understanding Personal Values

Personal values are the core beliefs that guide your decision-making process, behaviors, and interactions with others. They help you differentiate right from wrong and set your priorities in life. By understanding your personal values, you can make clearer choices and discover what truly matters to you.

To identify your values, start by considering how you define success, happiness, and the kind of person you want to be. Reflect on your past experiences, both positive and negative: they often reveal values that shaped your decisions and actions.

Another helpful method is to consider the admirable qualities of people you look up to. Be honest with yourself about what resonates with you and what doesn’t. It’s essential to remember that your personal values are unique to you, and there’s no one-size-fits-all list.

Take your time as you explore these values and remember that they may change over time as you grow and evolve. Embrace the journey of self-discovery!

Values List

• Accountability – Taking responsibility for your actions and decisions.
• Adaptability – Being able to adjust to new situations and environments.
• Adventure – Seeking out new experiences and challenges.
• Altruism – Putting the needs of others before your own.
• Ambition – Having a strong desire to achieve success and reach your goals.
• Authenticity – Being true to yourself and your beliefs.
• Balance – Maintaining a sense of equilibrium in all aspects of your life.
• Beauty – Appreciating and seeking out beauty in all its forms.
• Belonging – Feeling a sense of belonging and connection to others.
• Boldness – Being willing to take risks and make bold decisions.
• Calmness – Maintaining a sense of composure and tranquility in stressful situations.
• Care – Showing concern and compassion for others.
• Challenge – Seeking out challenges and pushing yourself to grow and develop.
• Character – Having strong moral and ethical values.
• Clarity – Having a clear understanding of your goals and values.
• Collaboration – Working well with others and valuing teamwork.
• Commitment – Being dedicated and loyal to your goals and values.
• Compassion – Showing kindness and empathy towards others.
• Confidence – Believing in yourself and your abilities.
• Connection – Building strong relationships with others.
• Consistency – Maintaining a sense of reliability and predictability.
• Courage – Facing challenges and adversity with bravery and strength.
• Creativity – Expressing yourself through art, music, writing, or other forms of creativity.
• Curiosity – Having a desire to learn and explore new ideas and concepts.
• Decisiveness – Making clear and timely decisions.
• Dedication – Being committed to your goals and values.
• Dependability – Being reliable and trustworthy.
• Determination – Persisting in the face of obstacles and challenges.
• Discipline – Maintaining a sense of self-control and focus.
• Diversity – Valuing and respecting differences in people and cultures.
• Drive – Having a strong motivation to succeed.
• Empathy – Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• Endurance – Being able to persevere through difficult situations.
• Energy – Having a high level of enthusiasm and vitality.
• Excellence – Striving for excellence in all aspects of your life.
• Exploration – Seeking out new experiences and ideas.
• Fairness – Treating others with fairness and justice.
• Faith – Having strong beliefs and a sense of spirituality.
• Family – Valuing and prioritizing your family relationships.
• Flexibility – Being adaptable and open to change.
• Focus – Maintaining a sense of concentration and attention to detail.
• Forgiveness – Being able to forgive others and yourself.
• Freedom – Valuing personal freedom and independence.
• Friendship – Building and maintaining strong friendships.
• Fun – Seeking out enjoyment and pleasure in life.
• Generosity – Giving freely and generously to others.
• Gratitude – Being thankful and appreciative for what you have.
• Growth – Continuously growing and developing as a person.
• Happiness – Pursuing happiness and joy in life.
• Harmony – Striving for balance and harmony in all aspects of your life.
• Health – Prioritizing and maintaining good physical and mental health.
• Honesty – Being truthful and transparent in all your actions and interactions.
• Honor – Having a strong sense of integrity and honor.
• Hope – Maintaining a sense of optimism and hope for the future.
• Humility – Being humble and modest in your actions and interactions.
• Humor – Appreciating and using humor to bring joy and laughter to others.
• Imagination – Using your imagination to create and innovate.
• Independence – Valuing and prioritizing personal independence and autonomy.
• Initiative – Taking action and being proactive in achieving your goals.
• Innovation – Seeking out new and creative solutions to problems.
• Integrity – Maintaining strong moral and ethical values.
• Intensity – Pursuing your goals and passions with intensity and fervor.
• Intimacy – Building and maintaining deep and meaningful relationships with others.
• Joy – Finding joy and happiness in life.
• Justice – Striving for fairness and justice for all.
• Kindness – Showing kindness and compassion towards others.
• Knowledge – Pursuing knowledge and education.
• Leadership – Being a strong and effective leader.
• Learning – Continuously learning and growing as a person.
• Legacy – Leaving a positive legacy for future generations.
• Liberty – Valuing personal freedom and liberty.
• Life – Valuing and cherishing life in all its forms.
• Love – Showing love and affection towards others.
• Loyalty – Being loyal and committed to your relationships and commitments.
• Mastery – Striving for mastery and excellence in your skills and abilities.
• Meaning – Finding meaning and purpose in life.
• Mindfulness – Being present and aware in the moment.
• Moderation – Practicing moderation and balance in all aspects of your life.
• Motivation – Maintaining a strong motivation to achieve your goals.
• Nature – Valuing and appreciating the natural world.
• Nurturing – Providing care and support to others.
• Openness – Being open to new ideas and perspectives.
• Open-mindedness – Being open to new ideas and perspectives.
• Optimism – Maintaining a positive outlook on life.
• Order – Valuing order and organization in your life.
• Originality – Being original and unique in your thoughts and actions.
• Passion – Pursuing your passions and interests with enthusiasm.
• Patience – Being patient and understanding in difficult situations.
• Peace – Valuing peace and tranquility in your life and relationships.
• Perseverance – Persisting through difficult challenges and obstacles.
• Persistence – Continuing to pursue your goals despite setbacks and failures.
• Playfulness – Embracing a sense of playfulness and fun in your life.
• Poise – Maintaining a sense of grace and composure in difficult situations.
• Positivity – Maintaining a positive attitude and outlook on life.
• Power – Using your power and influence for good.
• Precision – Pursuing accuracy and precision in your work and actions.
• Preparedness – Being prepared and ready for any situation.
• Privacy – Valuing and respecting personal privacy and boundaries.
• Productivity – Being productive and efficient in your work and tasks.
• Professionalism – Maintaining a sense of professionalism and integrity in your work.
• Progress – Striving for progress and growth in all aspects of your life.
• Prosperity – Seeking out prosperity and abundance in your life.
• Punctuality – Being punctual and on time for your commitments.
• Quality – Pursuing quality and excellence in your work and actions.
• Rationality – Making decisions based on reason and logic.
• Realism – Being realistic and practical in your expectations and actions.
• Recognition – Seeking recognition and acknowledgement for your accomplishments.
• Reflection – Reflecting on your actions and decisions to learn and grow.
• Reliability – Being reliable and trustworthy in your commitments.
• Resilience – Bouncing back from setbacks and challenges.
• Respect – Showing respect and consideration towards others.
• Responsibility – Taking responsibility for your actions and decisions.
• Results-oriented – Focusing on achieving results and outcomes.
• Risk-taking – Being willing to take calculated risks.
• Safety – Prioritizing safety and security in your life and relationships.
• Self-awareness – Being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
• Self-care – Prioritizing self-care and self-nurturing.
• Self-control – Maintaining self-control and discipline in your actions and decisions.
• Self-improvement – Continuously improving and developing yourself.
• Selflessness – Putting the needs of others before your own.
• Sensitivity – Being sensitive and empathetic towards others.
• Serenity – Maintaining a sense of calm and peace in your life.
• Service – Serving and helping others.
• Simplicity – Valuing simplicity and minimalism in your life.
• Sincerity – Being sincere and genuine in your actions and interactions.
• Skill-building – Continuously building and developing your skills and abilities.
• Spirituality – Having a sense of spirituality and connection to a higher power.
• Stability – Valuing stability and security in your life and relationships.
• Strength – Being strong and resilient in the face of challenges and adversity.
• Success – Pursuing success and achievement in your life.
• Support – Providing support and encouragement to others.
• Sustainability – Valuing and prioritizing sustainability and environmental responsibility.
• Teamwork – Working well with others and valuing teamwork.
• Tenacity – Having a strong determination and persistence in achieving your goals.
• Thoughtfulness – Being thoughtful and considerate towards others.
• Tolerance – Being tolerant and accepting of differences in people and cultures.
• Tradition – Valuing and respecting traditions and cultural heritage.
• Tranquility – Maintaining a sense of calm and tranquility in your life.
• Trust – Building and maintaining trust in your relationships.
• Trustworthiness – Being trustworthy and reliable in your commitments.
• Understanding – Seeking to understand others and their perspectives.
• Unity – Valuing and promoting unity and cooperation.
• Vision – Having a clear vision and purpose for your life.
• Vitality – Maintaining a sense of energy and vitality in your life.
• Warmth – Showing warmth and kindness towards others.
• Wealth – Pursuing wealth and financial success.
• Well-being – Prioritizing and maintaining good physical and mental health.
• Wisdom – Seeking and valuing wisdom and experience.
• Wonder – Embracing a sense of wonder and awe towards the world.
• Work-life balance – Maintaining a balance between work and personal life.
• Worldliness – Being knowledgeable and experienced in different cultures and languages.
• Worthiness – Believing in your own worth and value.
• Zeal – Pursuing your goals and passions with enthusiasm and excitement.

Categories of Personal Values

When discovering your own values, it’s helpful to categorize them into different areas of your life. This will make it easier for you to determine what’s most important to you, and can help guide your decisions across various aspects. Below, you’ll find five main categories of personal values:

Relationship and Family Values

Your relationship and family values represent the beliefs and priorities you hold in your personal relationships, whether it’s with your spouse, children, family, or friends. Some examples are:

• Responsibility

Career and Success Values

Values in this category usually revolve around your work and professional aspirations. They can help guide you in the career choices you make and the manner in which you approach the road to success. Examples include:

• Professional growth
• Work-life balance
• Job satisfaction
• Professionalism
• Perseverance
• Adaptability
• Resourcefulness
• Inspiration

Personal Growth Values

These are the values related to your personal development, self-improvement, and well-being. They can influence how you choose to invest your time and effort into learning new skills or seeking out personal growth opportunities. Some examples are:

• Continued learning
• Personal development
• Self-awareness
• Spirituality
• Self-acceptance

Health and Well-Being Values

These values are connected to your overall physical, mental, and emotional health – how you prioritize self-care and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Examples include:

• Healthy eating
• Mental well-being
• Stress reduction
• Rest and relaxation

Social Values

Social values concern your beliefs and attitudes towards society as a whole, and relate to how you engage with different social groups and contribute to the common good. Examples of social values are:

• Community engagement
• Environmental sustainability
• Social responsibility
• Stewardship
• Sustainability

Finding Your Own Personal Values

To find your own values, follow these steps:

• Reflect on your experiences: Your life experiences shape your values. Think about significant moments, decisions, and relationships in your life. What lessons have you learned, and how have they impacted your values system?
• Identify common themes: As you dig deeper into your experiences, try to identify recurring themes. Look for patterns and connect the dots to determine which personal values underpin your thoughts and actions.
• Make a list of values: Begin by creating a list of values that resonate with you. Don’t feel limited to conventional values – this is your personal journey, and your list should be authentic to your experiences and beliefs.
• Prioritize your values: After identifying the values that resonate with you, prioritize them by importance. This ranking will help you understand which values are non-negotiable and essential to your well-being.
• Test your values: Put your values to the test by imagining different scenarios in which they might be challenged. Consider how you would handle each situation and assess whether your values truly align with your actions.

Keep in mind that your personal values may change and evolve over time, and it is useful to continually reevaluate and refine your values to ensure they remain relevant and accurate to who you are.

Aligning Your Goals with Your Values

Aligning your goals with your values ensures that you not only stay true to yourself, but also enjoy the journey while working towards these objectives.

• Make a list of your top values.
• Reflect on past experiences and identify moments where you felt fulfilled and satisfied. This will help you recognize the values that are most important to you.
• Once you have identified your values, start setting goals that align with them. Try to set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to increase the likelihood of success.
• Create a vision board or write down your goals to increase your focus and commitment.
• Design a step-by-step action plan to achieve your goals.
• Regularly review and track your progress, making adjustments when needed.

Uncovering your personal values is an ongoing process, and your values may evolve over time. Give yourself the flexibility to grow and adapt, and don’t be afraid to reevaluate your choices.

See also: How to Write a Personal Mission Statement (20 Examples)

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Unique & Effective Examples of Personal Value Statements

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In a world where external pressures can cloud our sense of self-worth, writing down a personal value can guide you in fulfilling your goals.

Personal value is the sense of worth and importance we attach to ourselves. It is an important aspect of our identity that significantly impacts our mental and emotional well-being as individuals.

Developing a solid personal value is essential for a fulfilling and meaningful life. The examples of personal value statements below will give you a concrete framework to build your own. 

Writing a personal value statement is a powerful exercise in self-discovery and self-reflection. It helps you identify your beliefs, goals, and priorities to understand better how they shape your identity and relationships with others.

This article will guide you toward writing a great personal value statement .

What Is A Personal Value Statement?

A personal value statement reflects the values that are important to you as an individual. It is a way of identifying and articulating the principles and beliefs that guide your actions and decisions. 

Personal value statements guide you toward making choices that align with your goals and values and help you manage your everyday life. It’s also a great way to communicate your goals and values to others. 

Your value statement may highlight traits you possess, like honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, responsibility, compassion, and courage. 

Importance of Personal Value Statement

Personal value statements are essential because they reflect the values that are most important to you as an individual. 

Here are some of the importance of personal value statements:

• They help set meaningful goals to help you increase your motivation and focus.
• A personal value statement may guide you in making decisions consistent with your beliefs and principles. When faced with several options, your personal value statement can help you choose the most aligned with your values.
• Your personal value statements can also influence how you interact with others. When communicating your values to others and acting by them, you can build trust and respect and strengthen your relationships.
• It helps in self-reflection and self-improvement. With your value statement, you can regularly review your values and consider how they are reflected in your actions. And also identify areas where you may be incompatible with your values.

How to Write a Personal Value Statement

1. Identify your values

The first step in writing a perfect personal value statement is to take some time to reflect on what is most important to you. Consider your beliefs, principles, and priorities. Then, write down a list of your values.

2. Select the most important values

After identifying and writing down a list of values, select the most important ones. These are the values that guide your decisions and shape your actions.

3. Craft your value statement

Next, use your chosen values to craft a personal value statement. Ensure that it is specific and unique to you. You can structure your value statement by listing it in bullet points or incorporating it into a longer narrative.

4. Use positive language

Let your value statement convey your motivation and strength through your tone and language. You can use solid and descriptive language to convey the depth and importance of your values. Remember to express yourself in clear terms.

5. Review and proofread

Always review your value statement to reflect your values and beliefs accurately. Also, check for any writing or spelling errors.

Tips for Writing a Personal Value Statement

• Keep your value statement concise and to the point. Avoid including too much detail or writing off-point.
• Use action words to describe how you live out your chosen values in your daily life. 
• Make it personal. Be authentic and unique in your value statement.
• Use positive language. Avoid using negative language or making negative statements about yourself.
• Always edit your value statement to ensure that it is clear, unique and accurately reflects your values. 

Examples of Personal Value Statements

• I value hard work, intelligence, and determination. This is because they are the qualities that allow people to succeed, and I will do all it takes to succeed.
• I believe that family is the most important thing in life. They are the ones who will always be there for you, no matter what. I am also a very devoted friend and would do anything for those I care about. Integrity is fundamental to me; I value honesty and fairness above all else.
• My values are independence, self-confidence, and authenticity. I strive for independence by being proactive and taking care of myself physically and emotionally. I have a strong sense of self-confidence which comes from knowing who I am at my core and accepting and embracing my flaws. Lastly, I believe in being genuine with others and ourselves. This means staying true to our beliefs and feelings while communicating openly with those around us.

More Examples of Personal Value Statements

• The most important values to me are honesty, integrity, and accountability. I believe that these values are essential for a positive workplace culture and productive team environment. I’m always honest with others, even when the truth is difficult to hear. I maintain high integrity standards in everything I do and hold myself and others accountable for our actions. These values are important to me because they create trust and respect among coworkers, which leads to better communication and productivity.
• I believe in hard work and dedication. I pride myself on being a reliable, motivated individual who always seeks ways to improve. My goal is to be an asset to any team or organization that I am associated with and contribute positively in whatever way possible.
• I am passionate about working with people to help them reach their goals. I strongly believe in every person’s potential and enjoy assisting others in finding ways to achieve their dreams. My goal is always to provide support and encouragement while being constructive and honest.

A personal value statement is personal and unique to everyone. It guides one to have a direction in life, a job, or a career. 

So, be as authentic as possible when writing yours. Be true to yourself, and highlight only the values that are most important to you. Always use your value statement to reevaluate yourself constantly. And make sure your values are reflected in everything you do. This will make you happier, healthier, and more successful. s

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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37 Personal Purpose Statement Examples & Ideas for 2024

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So much of life has gone by an, yet, I still have so much more I want to accomplish. I want people to know what I stand for and that I made a difference.

Have you ever felt like this? Like you need a roadmap for your life?

Well, a personal purpose statement is that roadmap .

In this post, I'll offer 37 personal purpose statement examples and tips that will help you write your own.

But first, let's start with a simple definition.

Table of Contents

What is a Personal Purpose Statement? 

A personal purpose statement defines what you want to accomplish in life. It gives you direction to accomplish what's important to you … as it reflects what you stand for, your goals and core values.

It's also commonly referred to as a personal mission statement, and is usually only one to two sentences long.

Think of it as your motto — even your brand. Once written, you can make sure your decisions and actions are in line with carrying out this purpose.

Benefits of Personal Purpose Statement

As humans, we are a product of our environment. We often take on the  values and beliefs of our parents or whoever raised us,  our current life situation… and can even be influenced to a certain degree by society at large.

A personal purpose statement requires you to  focus on your values, beliefs, goals, and purpose in life . You'll have to think about what's really important to you… not someone else. It's a self-discovery process.  It helps you realize who you are.

Coming up with a personal purpose statement requires you to realize your skills, talents, likes and dislikes . You may surprise yourself and arrive at a whole new level of self-appreciation.

As you're thinking about where you want to get to, you'll also consider where you are currently. It makes you mindful of what you have now, how you got it, and the people who played a role in that journey. This can give you a sense of gratefulness .

Once written, you can refer to this statement as a guide to making life decisions. It will help you know how to spend your time, and possibly even what professional and personal networks to build.

With your power statement, you'll know exactly what you want out of life and what you would like to contribute to the world. You'll know what you want your legacy to be. 

It's that roadmap I mentioned earlier. If you know you're trying to get to Detroit from Atlanta, you're not going to go in the direction of Florida. So, it not only helps you decide what direction to go in, it helps you know what not to do as well.  It keeps you on track.

Once your statement is written, you can center all of your decisions on making it happen.

You can avoid wasting your time making decisions and carrying out behaviors that do not provide what you really want out of life and want to contribute to the world.

For example, your statement can help you decide which classes to take in school, which job to choose, what projects or promotions to pursue at work and even where to live.  

It helps you realize who you are and stick to it, no matter what someone else may be doing or trying to persuade you to do.

I think most would agree that saying no can be hard. Your statement gives you something to refer to when you're on the fence about a decision or action.

You won't have to try and figure out on the spur of the moment if you should say no. Just think about or read your mission statement. Will saying yes bring you closer to its manifestation?

One of the most important things your personal purpose statement can do is help you continue to soldier forward, even in the face of adversities and set-backs.

It can be your guide to happiness. Once you know your purpose, you know what fulfills and completes you. You can always refer to it when things get hard or seem futile.

It keeps you hungry for your purpose because it's a constant reminder. Check out these personal purpose statement examples from successful people.  

You're on your way to being amongst the great!

How to Create a Personal Purpose Statement

Start by brainstorming. This means you’ll need to consider all ideas and exclude nothing. Once you've documented all of your thoughts… you can go back and eliminate, modify, and polish for your final statement.

Here are some things to think about and ask yourself:

Write down what's most important to you , what you value, and what you're passionate about.

What are you for and what are you against?

Who are you? Who do you want to be? 

What are your talents and strengths?

How do you want to change the world or what do you want your impact to be on the world ? 

What would you like others to say about you when you're no longer here? What do you want your legacy to be?

What are your professional and personal goals?

What do you need to accomplish your purpose, goals, or to become the person you want to be? Do you need a specific degree or skill?

Who are the people you want to affect? Who are the most important individuals to you,  and how do they fit in with your life purpose, values, beliefs, desired legacy? 

This article gives you nine life purpose examples that can help you realize what's most important to you.

Watch the video below to learn about the two ways you can find purpose in your life and explore and provide practical strategies you can use, so you can find more meaning with your daily routine.

Make your statement affirmative. Write what you want, not what you don't want. Most statements are written in the present tense, but I've seen some written in future tense, too.

It might sound like a daunting task to reduce your whole purpose on this earth to one to two sentences, but think of it as a guide or overarching statement. It's your umbrella.

Don't worry or think about the details of how you're going to get it. Now is the time to think about what you really want to achieve. 

If these starter questions aren't enough, this  Developgoodhabits.com article  goes into more depth and will help you think more deeply. 

The following personal purpose statement examples will help you get started. 

37 Personal Purpose Statement Examples and Ideas

Some of these are one-size-fits-all. Change a word or two to fit your purpose, or exchange the field used in the example for yours. For instance, “To provide legal services … ,” could be, “To provide social services, educational services, or healthcare services.”

• To motivate and inspire others to live a life where they are mentally and physically healthy, and have peace and contentment.
• I am dedicated to working on behalf of children, to bring them the resources they need for a healthy and prosperous present and future life.
• To bring more convenient and functional technology to the world that will improve the quality of life. 
• To lead by example, personifying my values of kindness, forgiveness, compassion, empathy, and hard work.
• To bring joy to the world through music and lyrics that inspire.
• I want to instill in others the self-love and confidence that gives them the self-efficacy to excel and make their dreams come true.
• To live each day to the fullest and appreciate, as well as learn and grow from every experience.
• To play a significant role in creating a company culture where all workers feel appreciated, so that they feel like their time with the company is a worthwhile investment in themselves, their families, and their future.
• To use my cooking skills to bring families and individuals nutritious, tasty food options.
• To appreciate and enjoy my family every day, by making decisions that put their best interests first.
• To create communication devices that free individuals up to spend more quality, in-person time with loved ones. I want to make devices that foster more work-life balance.
• To embrace my God-given talent, work hard to cultivate and enhance it, and be the best at what I do.
• To put forth the effort, discipline, and all that it takes to excel and be the best athlete.
• To gain the knowledge necessary to educate others on how to become financially independent, and empower individuals with that knowledge.
• To teach children about nutrition, the short and long-term benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and how to start and maintain such a lifestyle.
• To provide healthcare and hope to the suffering and their loved ones.

• To provide legal services that reduce social injustices and other disparities that exist due to the status quo.
• To provide legal services that give the disenfranchised and marginalized a voice.
• To create materials, services, or products that help girls and women achieve and maintain a healthy self-esteem.
• To empower marginalized young men by giving them the resources they need to overcome racial, educational, political, and socioeconomic barriers and injustices.
• To participate in the creation and enactment of laws that reduces the number of women and children negatively impacted by domestic violence.
• To make the world a better place for individuals with special needs, by participating in initiatives that focus on inclusivity and strengths recognition.
• I want to treat others as I want to be treated, forgive freely, and embrace and appreciate commonalities and differences. I want to be remembered as someone who brought more peace, understanding, and love to the world.
• To lead by example and be the loving, caring, forgiving human being God intended. To love my neighbor as I love myself and as God loves.
• To be a parent who meets my children's needs. To teach and show them that success is about being the best person you can be, treating everyone as you wish to be treated, and doing what makes you happy.
• To make sure the world always has transportation that is safe, reliable, and accessible.
• To build infrastructures that improve communities and the quality of life.
• To design transportation systems that put products in consumers' hands faster and more economically.
• To work with and serve the elderly in a way that makes them feel valued, needed, and like an integral part of a thriving society.
• To serve in a role where I identify the most vulnerable, and work to bring them resources that will help them gain physiological security. 
• To touch the world with my art, and be an outlet for others to express or feel that someone else is expressing their true vulnerabilities and feelings. My art will do more than entertain, it will make people feel supported and understood.
• To achieve the education required to serve the purpose God intended for me. With that education, I will give back to society generously, and remarkably leave the world in some concrete way better than it was before my contribution.
• I want to be an educator who helps students see learning as a fun part of their life that they look forward to experiencing.    
• To be a father who raises sons to be caring, loving, respectful, responsible men, protective of their loved ones, and daughters to be caring, loving, respectful, responsible women who know their value and will not compromise it.
• To be the best wife, mother, and professional, successful at creating a secure, loving life for my family and myself.
• To look at challenges or failures as stepping stones placed in my path so that when I do realize my full potential — my purpose — that purpose will be that much greater, better, and appreciated. To be a positive presence to others, to help them view life in the same way.
• I want to approach life with a spirit of happiness, laughter, and forgiveness.

Final Thoughts on Personal Purpose Statement Examples

This article was designed to inspire you to go after all you seek in life. All you want to do, see and be.

These ideas and templates are designed to get your personal-mission-statement wheels turning… so don't worry if you don't see yourself represented in every example.

If you're feeling like you can't capture your purpose in one statement, that's okay, too. You're defining you and your path on this earth. Your reason for being is unique, and you can have more than one !

Or, it may be that all of the personal purpose statement examples in the world won’t help… because you’re still struggling to find your why. If you feel you are in that situation, read this article on five steps for people struggling with their why.

There are also actionable steps you can take to help you find your purpose. Things like practicing mindfulness , self-care and journaling can work wonders to help you get to the bottom of things.

Finally, if you want to increase your happiness and life satisfaction, then watch this free video that details the 7-minute habit for planning your day to focus on what's important .

35 Personal Values Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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Personal values are the values that you hold dearest to your heart. They’re central to your sense of yourself as an ethical being.

We will often also call them our core values .

We develop our personal values from our cultural and social context. Our families, cultures, and societies give us values that are passed down from generation to generation.

Religion is another important place where people source their inspiration and values. Many religions encourage us to embrace personal values like charity, goodwill, and justice.

Personal Values Examples

1. Family – Family values are moral and ethical principles of typical family life, including sacrificing for loved ones, putting your loved ones first, and keeping your loved ones at the center of your thoughts and actions.

2. Loyalty – Loyalty might be a core personal value to you if you highly prize friends that are reliable and trustworthy. You might put your friends or chosen family first, always being there for them when they need you.

3. Compassion – A compassionate person is someone who prioritizes caring for others and feeling sympathetic for people in need of help and protection.

Related Article: 25 Humility Examples

4. Fairness – If you value fairness, you might be highly sensitive to situations at school or in the workplace where a teacher or a peer has exhibited favoritism or allowed someone to get away with living by a different set of rules to everyone else.

5. Honesty – You may highly value telling people the truth. This one gets tricky when being honest can be hurtful to others. So, a person who really puts honesty first might be the sort of person who will tell the truth even if it hurts to do so.

6. Generosity – This may be a core value of yours if you cherish people who will give their time and resources to people in need. You may consider yourself to be a generous person if you find joy and meaning in giving to others.

Related Article: 17 Best Adversity Examples

7. Integrity – Integrity is the quality of having strong moral principles. So, a person with integrity will always act with honesty and adhere to their own moral code regardless of what others do.

8. Perseverance – People who value perseverance will work through adversity and be determined to get a result. This is a great treat for employees and entrepreneurs alike.

9. Trustworthiness – A trustworthy person is someone who others can rely on to keep their commitments, maintain integrity when people aren’t looking, and keep the secrets of others. This might be valuable for a manger-level employee who is trusted with money-making decisions.

10. Courageousness – If you value courage, it means that you highly respect people who are willing to take risks and stand up for what they believe in even when the going gets tough.

11. Self-Discipline – If you value self-discipline, you might be a person who wakes up early, exercises daily, and doesn’t get distracted by vices.

12. Humility – You might highly value humility if you find yourself disgusted by people who are arrogant or braggadocious, and instead find yourself gravitating to people who are always expressing their gratefulness for the blessings in their life.

13. Kindness – If you value kindness, you’ll likely always be respectful of people around you, be gentle with criticism, and always willing to welcome people with open arms.

Related Article: 8 Types of Values

14. Individual Responsibility – If you value individual responsibility, you respect people who get up and work hard for what they’ve got, don’t ask for hand-outs, and will always expect higher of themselves.

15. Gratitude – You value gratitude if you find yourself respecting people who say please and thank you. If you’re a religious person who values gratitude, you may always insist on praying before eating your dinner.

16. Empathy – If you value empathy, you may find yourself gravitating toward people who can put themselves in the shoes of others. You, personally, may find yourself feeling for the sick or downtrodden and wanting to do something to help them.

17. Patience – A person who has patience as a core personal value is going to prioritize giving their time to others. They will sit down and be calm while waiting for others. This is a great trait for a teacher.

Related Article: Values in Sociology – Explained.

18. Open-Mindedness – An open-minded person is someone who is always willing to hear new points of view and even change their own point of view if new arguments are highly convincing. It’s the opposite of stubbornness.

19. Thoughtfulness – You may highly value people who are thoughtful. If this is you, then you might find yourself rolling your eyes at people who are full of bluster and never stop to reflect on their own actions.

20. Optimism – Some people are perpetual optimists. They value optimism , perhaps because by being optimistic, you are more willing to have a go at achieving even unattainable goals. You may also be more willing to persevere through hard times.

21. Altruism – If you highly value altruism, then you value people who do good deeds for the intrinsic value of those good deeds, and not in order to feel good about themselves or get something out of it.

22. Tolerance and Diversity – If you value tolerance and diversity , then you’re likely very comfortable with multiculturalism and want to encourage people to live and respect the wide variety of cultures and traditions that exist in modern society.

23. Forgiveness – Forgiveness is a central value in Christianity. It emphasizes the importance of redemption and getting a second chance. If this is a personal value of yours, then you likely don’t hold grudges and want to move forward and see the best of people in the future.

See Also: Personal Credo Examples

24. Being True to Yourself – This value is all about making sure people are not hiding who they really are in order to satisfy others. Instead, it thinks that humans flourish when they are living their best life.

25. Community – If you value community, then you are someone who might do a lot of volunteering and find meaning and purpose in being a member of a community group.

26. Social Justice – If social justice is central to your personal value set, then you likely want to see the oppressed and downtrodden get better treatment. You might advocate for fairness in your workplace and want to dedicate your time and resources to stamping out discrimination.

27. Dependability – If you value being dependable, then you might make sure you always turn up 5 minutes ahead of time so you’re never late and you never miss a deadline. If you say you’re going to do something, you will do it.

28. Work Ethic – Work ethic is a personal value that’s great to mention in an interview or CV. It means that you always put your head down and work your heart out to do a good job. You’ll never be found slacking off!

29. Respect – The value of respect reminds us that we should always be polite and caring for others. Even when someone disrespects us, we hold ourselves to higher regard and always treat people with the respect that we want to be treated with.

30. Compromise – The value of compromise is a very wise value. It involves recognizing that you will never get your own way, but by getting people together to reach an agreement, you can achieve great outcomes for all.

31. Playfulness – Playfulness is a value if you think it’s inherently important for living a good life. You might think that taking time off for relaxation and play is incredibly important for you, and that you’ll make sure you never let work take over life.

32. Pragmatism – A pragmatist values setting goals that are achievable. You’re the opposite of a dreamer. Instead, you have aspirations, but the most important thing to you is that you set yourself to tasks that you know can succeed at.

33. Environmentalism – Environmentalism may be a core value to you if you think it’s extremely important to care for the environment and natural world. It’s even more of a personal value if you act on it by limiting your waste, driving less, and buying ethical products.

34. Independence – Independence is important to you if you refuse to be tied to a job or a partner. Many modern-day women, for example, want to maintain their independent identity even while having a partner who they love.

35. Individual Liberty – If you value individual liberty, then you respect other people’s rights to make decisions for their own lives. It tries to ensure people don’t impose themselves on others. However, this rubs up against communitarian values where you need to do things for the greater good.

See Also: 65 Personal Identity Examples

Determining your Core Personal Values

When coming up with what your personal values framework, have a think about what’s important to you and what inspires you. Some sources can include:

1. What are your Family’s Values?

Our parents are the first people who teach us the difference between right and wrong. They lay the foundations for our lives by exposing us to stories that can help us build a moral framework, as well as exposing us to important influences like our church group or close family friends. Similarly, our siblings and cousins are often the first friends we have, and we learn right from wrong through playing with them.

2. What are your Religion’s Values?

Throughout history, societies have turned to religion for our values. Religious texts allow people to contemplate right from wrong and learn from a higher power about how we humans are expected to behave here on earth. Agnostic people may turn instead to philosophy for wise people who can teach us important lessons about right and wrong, and how to live a good life.

3. What are your Culture’s Values?

Each culture has a set of values around which it is oriented. We have western culture, for example, which values individual liberty and democracy. Similarly, in the United States, individual accountability is an important value. In societies like Denmark, care for the community is more heavily emphasized. You may embrace these sociocultural values as personal values if you find they resonate with you.

4. What are your Mentors’ Values?

There may be mentors in your life, such as teachers or coaches, who you admire for their wisdom and the way they behave. Reflect on why you respect them. Chances are, it’s because of the values they live by: respect, integrity, hard-work, or compassion.

5. Who are the People you Admire?

While a mentor might be a person in your life who you know personally, there may be other people you admire who are celebrities or politicians. For example, you might admire a sports star, actor, or philanthropist who is changing the world. Reflect on what values they have that make them admirable. This might be their work ethic that got them to the top, their humility in interviews, or their generosity in giving to the poor and needy.

6. What does Your Ideal World Look Like?

Reflect on the world you want. Consider what it looks like. It might have many of the values you embrace weaved into it. Your ideal world might be peaceful, compassionate, and fair. Or, it might be one full of wealth and pure meritocracy where the hard workers and people who take individual responsibility truly are the wealthiest and most successful of all.

Personal Values for a CV

The best personal values to include in a CV or resume are ones that demonstrate that you will be an excellent employee. For example, employers often want employees who:

• Have work ethic – This will show that you’re going to work very hard and not waste your employer’s money.
• Have integrity – This will show that you can be trusted, even when no one is looking.
• Value cooperation – In today’s workplaces, you need to work in teams to get jobs done. A person who works well in teams is a valuable asset to a company.
• Are optimistic – Your employer wants a positive person who will spread motivation and positivity around the workplace and to customers.

Go Deeper: Resume Skills Examples

Benefits of Clear Personal Value Sets

Having a clear value set has several important benefits . For example, it can help you to:

• Make decisions. If you know what you truly value, then you can use your values as a guide when making decisions – big and small! For example, it can help you make decisions about what career to go into (one that will help you exercise your values) or what to study at university.
• Work through difficulty. If you know who you are and what you value, then hard times are easier. You will have your values as a guiding star, reminding you to persevere and carry on through difficulty.
• Set goals. You’ll know what you value and what you want, meaning you will be able to identify exactly what you want out of a good life.
• Make social connections. By knowing who you are, you can gravitate to others who share your personal value set.

As you can see, there are many different personal values that can help shape our character and guide us through life as we interact with others, make decisions, and face challenges both large and small.

When telling others what your personal values are, make sure you state examples of personal values that are genuinely reflective of yourself, not just ones that you think sound good. People will know if you’ve not told the truth because you need to demonstrate and live by your personal values every day of your life.

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples

1 thought on “35 Personal Values Examples”

Thank you for the articles that you have written and shared. I just finished reading two on humility and 35 Personal Values. You write in a way that engages the reader. That is something that I would like to do one day. I have some writing helps, I just don’t know how to get started. It is a worry that I end up writing and it won’t be good enough for publication. Your article on 35 Examples of Humility was very eye-opening and informative. These articles have been so helpful. Again, thank you for teaching more on both subjects.

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More From Forbes

Six Steps To Identify And Align Your Personal Core Values

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Managing Partner,  Harris Whitesell Consulting

Core values are your moral compass: what you deeply believe is morally right. What we must remember is that your core values are always believed or perceived to be moral or influenced by morality. However, these fundamental beliefs and guiding principles often trigger and fuel the thoughts, emotions and behaviors that help people realize moments of happiness and positive experiences and, ultimately, progress toward achieving goals, realizing success and self-transcendence.

We know that core values are developed through life experiences, familial patterns, social conditioning and consumption of content, events and opinions. Our beliefs that affirm our core values are often those unquestioned convictions that we accept as truth based on our own current cognition. Aligning and living our core values is where humanity places our feet on the ground running at full speed ahead.

Our values are carried both consciously and unconsciously and are embedded into every priority decision we engage and participate in. To better represent ourselves, align our core values and maximize our strengths and motivators, here is a process for keeping your core values aligned, being more intentional and making your relationships, work and life more meaningful.

To uncover what you truly value in life, you must commit to getting real with yourself and not view yourself through a filtered and conditioned lens. We must commit and choose to be deeply cognitive about this process and get vulnerable with the truth. So make sure you give yourself privacy and time or have a trusted advisor or coach working with you to help you define your core values.

Step 1: Write down all the significant moments that taught you something important in your life. Write down the good and bad, the challenging and rewarding, the happy and most difficult.

Step 2: Group and narrow them down. You may have quite a few, and some of them may be reflective of a single word. Spend time to think through your draft list.

Step 3: Place an asterisk (*) next to the ones that represent who you really are and those that support who you want to grow into . Those left unmarked are going to be accessories to your core values list.

Step 4: Select ten or fewer. These are the core values you are and will be demonstrating daily. The values you are intentional with. The values that are deeply meaningful. The values that align with your legacy, relationships, work and cognition.

Step 5: Every 30 days, spend 15 minutes evaluating your core values. Ask the following questions:

• Which values come naturally to me?

• Which values feel misaligned or inauthentic?

• Which values are difficult and hard? Why?

• Are there any values I need to remove, add and/or adjust?

Step 6: Every 12 months, perform a values report. This exercise is not only to evaluate your core values, it is to write a values statement that will serve as a rallying cry for the next year’s motivation and momentum building.

Ask yourself these and any other questions you feel are pertinent to your core values:

• What values drive my behaviors?

• What values drive positive relationships?

• What values drive well-being and good health?

• What values drive financial vitality, etc.?

• Have I done my best to build positive and lasting relationships? Take care of my health and well-being? Be responsible with my finances? etc.

Once you have answered your questions, update your core values list. Write a values statement. Post your core value and values statement in a place that is visible every day: in the bathroom, on your nightstand, at your desk, in your car — wherever you find an opportunity to allow the visual to be a motivator and charge the energy needed to keep the things you think, say and do aligned to your values.

When your personal values align with your workplace values, you are maximizing your ability to be engaged, productive and highly effective, thus realizing more moments of joy and happiness, resulting in more contentment and aligning to your life’s legacy.

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Core Values List

Below is a list of core values commonly used by leadership institutes and programs. This list is not exhaustive, but it will give you an idea of some common core values (also called personal values). My recommendation is to select less than five core values to focus on—if everything is a core value, then nothing is really a priority.

• Authenticity
• Achievement
• Citizenship
• Contribution
• Determination
• Friendships
• Inner Harmony
• Meaningful Work
• Recognition
• Responsibility
• Self-Respect
• Spirituality
• Trustworthiness

Note: many of the personal values listed above came from a list I received while working with The LeaderShape Institute.

Integrity Reports

I use my core values to create my annual Integrity Reports . Writing these reports is a yearly ritual that forces me to think about how I am living out my core values in real life.

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Be True. Be Strong. Be Focused.

Defining Your List of Values and Beliefs (With 102 Examples)

February 23, 2024

Do you want to live a life of integrity in which your actions align with your personal list of values and beliefs? Great, you’re in the right place to begin living true .

Many of us struggle with finding direction, making big decisions, and even knowing how to act in day-to-day situations. When you take the time to consider your core values, these things become crystal clear.

Core values point the needle of your compass, illuminating the pathway toward living a meaningful life — one that’s filled with passion and purpose .

Instead of allowing outside influences like media, pop culture, or social environment to shape your life, you can be true to yourself.

In this article, I will help you uncover your true identity by clarifying your values.

By the end, you’ll have discovered a unique list of values and beliefs to help orient your life. And even better, you’ll have a clear idea of what actions you can take to experience life in true alignment.

Do you want to overcome self-doubt and take action in your life? Try our mini-course Believing in Yourself ! Learn four proven tactics to embrace your true self and live strong.

Originally published on January 29th, 2020, this post was updated and republished on February 23rd, 2024.

102 Examples of Values and Beliefs

Take some time to explore this list of values and beliefs, and consider which ones resonate with you:

Core Values List

• Intelligence
• Advancement
• Forgiveness
• Work Smarter and Harder
• Involvement
• Personal Development
• This Too Shall Pass Attitude
• Communication
• Commonality
• Contributing
• Spiritualism
• Cooperation
• Love of Career
• Friendship/Relationship
• Encouragement
• Pride in Your Work
• Contentment
• Professionalism
• Relationship
• Facilitation
• Effectiveness
• Appreciation
• Willingness
• Trusting Your Gut
• Giving People a Chance
• Self-Respect
• Reciprocity
• Entrepreneurial

Now that you’ve got plenty of ideas, you can begin to narrow it down to a few that could become the basis of your core value system.

Here are some questions to help you see where these values show up in your life:

• How do you define this value?
• What actions and activities reflect this value?
• What else could you do to further align yourself with this value? 
• Could you do more to include this value in your daily life?

Being True to Yourself

“A lot of the conflict you have in your life exists simply because you’re not living in alignment; you’re not being true to yourself.” ― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You

Start With a Solid Base

Every house needs a sturdy foundation. You can build a beautiful home, but it will sink into the ground without a solid base. 

The same is true with your values. Just like the foundation of a home, core values provide the groundwork for your actions, decisions, and behaviors. 

Without a base, your “home” falls apart, and you lose a sense of purpose and direction. You may appear to be successful, but still, feel lost. Until you define what success means to you , you’ll be chasing empty accomplishments.

If you don’t understand your values, you may violate them without realizing it. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame, without knowing why.

Researchers confirm that when people have a clear set of core values:

• It’s easier to make big life decisions around pursuing passions, long-term career goals , and relationships.
• They are less likely to engage in destructive thought patterns, especially in difficult life situations.
• They tolerate physical pain more easily.
• They have greater self-discipline and focus when studying or working.
• Social connections are stronger.

Let’s begin by looking inward to discover what matters to you. It’s a process, and you might need support as you dig deep to find out what makes you tick.

The list of values and beliefs you are about to dive into is adapted from Be True: Discover Your Core Value System . It’s a course in which I walk you through proven exercises to find your truth and begin living it.

When you’re ready to start discovering how to figure out who you are , check out the course. In the meantime, here are some simple ideas to get you started.

Exercises to Define Your Personal Core Values

When it comes to core values, there’s no “one size fits all” approach. Everyone is different.

That’s why I don’t recommend jumping ahead to the list and choosing words that sound good. Instead, I invite you to pick up a pen and paper and spend some time on personal reflection — writing about what moves you.

Below are some questions to help you start this exploration. The answers you write down are clues you can use to identify your core value system.

1. Who Do You Admire?

To better understand what you value, it can help to turn to real-life examples of people who exhibit admirable qualities.

Who Are Your Role Models?

Think of some positive role models who inspire you to live a meaningful life. This could include people you know personally, famous figures, characters in a book, etc. 

As you think about these people, write down:

• What it is about them that inspires you.
• The admirable qualities they possess.
• Behaviors and actions you would like to emulate.

2. What Inspires You to Take Action?

Often our core values reveal themselves through our actions. Can you think of a situation when you took a stand for someone or something?

Try writing down some of the reasons you felt so strongly about taking action . For example:

• The feelings that motivated you to speak up or act
• What you were willing to risk in that situation
• The results of taking action – what you gained or lost

3. When Do You Feel Most Like Yourself?

When you’re in situations that allow you to be authentic, that’s a clue that you are in alignment with your values. And when you have to betray yourself to fit in or find success, you feel ashamed and alone.

In situations that feel wrong in some way, what’s going on? Write down:

• Who you’re with.
• What feelings are triggered.
• What these experiences cost you emotionally or physically.

In situations where you feel real and authentic, what’s going on? Write down:

• What activities are involved.
• Positive emotions or outcomes of these experiences.

Putting Core Values Into Action

Personal integrity.

When what you value the most is congruent with what you do, you are standing in your integrity.

Let’s bridge the gap between what you value and how to put that into action with some concrete examples:

Core Value Example: Freedom

If you choose freedom, you value “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.”

Here are some examples of actions you could take to align more fully with freedom as a core value and belief in your life:

• Express yourself freely and openly
• Build a life where you can create your schedule, travel, try new things, etc.
• Nurture relationships with friends and family who give you the freedom to be yourself
• Become your own boss
• Include enough free time in your schedule

Core Value Example: Wellness

If you identified wellness as a core value, the active pursuit of health would become a priority in your life.

Here are some day-to-day examples of how your short-term actions would line up with this personal value example:

• Fuel your body with nutritious foods
• Stay active through regular exercise
• Take care of your mental health by taking breaks, getting enough rest, spending time with loved ones, and asking for help when needed
• Avoiding self-destructive habits

Can you see how your short-term actions can put you more in line with your long-term core values? You can also use your core value system to assess opportunities and make decisions as they arise.

Core Value Example: Compassion

If compassion speaks to you as a core value, then you want to ameliorate the suffering or help heal the pain of others.

Here are some of the things you could do to ensure that your actions line up with compassion as a core value:

• Be aware of the needs of others around you
• Listen carefully and without judgment, especially when hearing about other people’s problems
• Speak with kindness
• Accept people for who they are
• Forgive people when they make a mistake

Core Value Example: Creativity

If you expressed creativity as something important to you, then you value being able to express yourself freely and deeply.

To incorporate creativity into your day-to-day life, you could:

• Ensure that your immediate surroundings are beautiful and inspiring
• Set aside time every day to draw, paint, write, compose music, or whatever action speaks to your creative soul
• Journal your thoughts to discover new and emerging ideas within yourself
• Join a group where people get together to express themselves creatively – this could be a theater group or an ecstatic dance collective

Core Value Example: Courage

If you identify courage as being something true to who you are, you find it compelling to stand up in the face of adversity, do what’s right, and take on tasks that are difficult, dangerous, or uncertain.

You can manifest courage in your daily life through the following actions:

• Stand up for others when they are being bullied or belittled
• Rise to the occasion in situations that scare you
• Take responsibility and accountability for your actions
• Say no firmly to people or actions that don’t align with your soul or values 

Final Thoughts on Being True

By intentionally living in line with your values, you will feel an increase in happiness, peace of mind, creativity, and flow. 

As with anything in life, identifying core values goes beyond checking boxes on a list. Being true to your core values involves a lifelong journey of discovery, experimentation, trial, and error. 

I suggest revisiting your core values from time to time. You can use this core values quiz to assess the degree to which you are following your inner compass. If it feels like you have drifted off course, or you’re completely lost, I’d like to help you get back on track.

You’ve just uncovered a formula for discovering your truth , and you don’t have to do it alone! Isn’t it about time to start living according to your core values?

About Lyn Christian

Hi there, I'm Lyn . My purpose is to support you to earn a living and live your life by doing what inspires you. To accomplish this, I work as a coach, consultant, TEDx speaker, author and founder of SoulSalt Inc.

The Ultimate List of Core Values And How To Find Yours

Your core values are the guiding principles of your life that help you determine your behavior, words, and actions.

It's essential to your personal evolution to take stock of your values on a regular basis, and then make the necessary changes to align your life with these most important core values (also called personal values).

Living in harmony with your core values creates a fertile environment for happiness, peace of mind, and success because you are living authentically without confusion, guilt, or shame.

What are core values?

How to find your list of core values, 1. accountability, 2. awareness, 5. boldness, 6. calmness, 7. cleanliness, 8. closeness, 9. commitment, 10. compassion, 11. confidence, 12. connection, 13. consciousness, 14. contentment, 15. cooperation, 16. courage, 17. creativity, 18. decisiveness, 19. determination, 20. dependability, 21. dignity, 22. diligence, 23. discipline, 24. discovery, 25. diversity, 27. education, 28. effectiveness, 29. empathy, 30. encouragement, 31. excellence, 32. experience, 33. expertise, 34. exploration, 35. fairness, 37. flexibility, 39. freedom, 40. frugality, 42. generosity, 43. gratitude, 45. happiness, 47. honesty, 48. hopefulness, 49. humility, 51. integrity, 52. intimacy, 53. intuition, 54. kindness, 55. leadership, 56. learning, 58. loyalty, 59. mindfulness, 60. moderation, 61. motivation, 62. openness, 63. optimism, 64. organization, 65. originality, 66. passion, 67. peacefulness, 68. persuasiveness, 69. professionalism, 70. reason (or logic), 71. resilience, 72. respect, 73. sacrifice, 74. security, 75. sensitivity, 76. sensuality, 77. serenity, 78. significance, 79. simplicity, 80. sincerity, 81. spirituality, 82. stability, 83. strength, 84. structure, 85. success, 86. support, 87. sympathy, 88. thoughtfulness, 90. timeliness, 92. understanding, 93. uniqueness, 94. usefulness, 100. worthiness, why you need to establish your personal values.

Your core values tell you what you consider important or deeply meaningful.

These personal values should reflect your life’s purpose and who you want to be.

Research confirms that your personal values, though subjective in nature, not only reveal what we feel about ourselves but also influence our attitudes, preferences, and behaviors.

Your values in life don’t arise spontaneously. You need to seek them out.

Take some time to ask yourself what qualities you particularly admire in your parents, grandparents, and others who have influenced you.

• What common values does your family celebrate as defining traits?
• What values do they communicate that make you swell with pride?
• Consider the music you listen to, the books you read, your spiritual and political beliefs, your mentors, your friends, and other company you keep.
• Do you feel a strong compulsion to ensure your children pick up the same values?
• What qualities do you want to be known for? What words elicit an immediate positive emotional response from you?

Maybe you already have at least a vague idea of what’s important to you.

But how great would it be to have a clearer understanding of those values and how they define you and your life’s purpose?

Creating your own list of personal values helps you focus more on cultivating those values in yourself and finding ways to pass them on.

Step #1: Ask yourself questions about good values.

To create this list of personal values, you can ask yourself the following questions and write down your answers:

• What do I look for in a friend or spouse? In a mentor or guide?
• How do I respond in a crisis or other difficult situation?
• What qualities would I expect to see in the best version of myself?
• How do I interact with people, and how do I treat them?
• What qualities in my parents, grandparents, ancestors do I admire?
• What choices have I made in the past that made me proud?
• What makes me angry or frustrated revealing repressed values I may have?
• What gives me a sense of fulfillment and meaning?

Step #2: Identify core value themes.

As you look through the list of core values, you will see that some words have similar meanings or fall into a specific “theme.”

Group these words together and give them an overarching value word that you choose from your list of personal values.

For example, the words calmness, simplicity, and peacefulness may fall under a “mindfulness” theme.

Remember, you don't have to choose common values that you think you should prioritize. Select those that resonate most with what you want for your life.

Step #3: Narrow it down.

When you go through the list of values below, probably many of them (around 20 or so is not unusual) will stand out as more important or more meaningful to you than the others.

Then when you go through that smaller list, some will stand out more than the rest. See you if can reduce your personal core values list to no more than ten core values.

You may even want to consider what are your top 3 personal values that define who you are.

Step #4: Prioritize them.

See if you can rank your list of personal core values so you clarify what is most important to you. 

This may take some time, but do your best to examine where the buck stops for you. 

Of course, your priorities will change and evolve over time, so consider this ongoing work you revisit yearly to ensure you are prioritizing the correct values.

Ready to get started? Begin by reviewing the list below. 

The Ultimate List of Personal Core Values

Below are 100 core values examples with explanations for each. But you'll find PDF download further down on the page with 400 human values to give you a broader list.

As you read through these examples of values, ask yourself, “What are my values?” Remember to select those that feel authentic to you — the personal ideals you hold dear.

You take responsibility for your actions and their consequences, and you respect others who do the same.

You take pride in your conscious awareness of what exists or is happening around you – as well as within you.

You want everything in your life to be in the right proportion to everything else; no one thing dominates your life.

You make time to enjoy everything you perceive with your senses that makes you feel an inexplicable surge of happiness.

Those who are bold aren’t necessarily fearless; they’re just good at giving the impression that they are.

Think of the stillness of a lake’s surface when nothing disturbs it.

Essentially, this is the absence of any filth or contaminant — and you work to maintain it.

This word implies intimacy or a strong personal bond, especially between people.

Commitment is the difference between a goal and a daydream; it involves decisive action.

When someone has hurt you, you value sympathy and forgiveness more than the chance to punish them.

You have unshakable faith in your own powers or rightness of purpose or a strong desire to feel that faith.

Without a deep, personal connection, you can’t feel attracted to someone.

Living intentionally means living consciously, but you may be seeking consciousness on a higher level.

Contentment is a mental or emotional state of satisfaction wrapped in peacefulness.

You value your ability to work toward a common goal as part of a team; meaningful collaboration is central to your mission.

Courage is the ability to do what needs to be done in spite of fear.

Creativity uses the imagination to create new things and find new solutions to problems.

You place a high value on your capacity for making decisions quickly and effectively.

Determination is a firmness of purpose in spite of challenges in the relentless pursuit of a goal.

Others can count on you to do everything possible to keep your commitments, and you want the same from them.

You feel strongly that people should be treated in a way that show’s respect for them as fully conscious equals.

Someone who is diligent is persistent and careful in his work or other efforts.

Think of this as a set of expectations for yourself or others and the means used to enforce them.

This is the act of finding out or learning something new through exploration or experimentation.

You’re committed to exposing yourself to and appreciating the diversity of cultures, experiences, and beliefs in the world.

Think of the moral or legal obligations that bind you or someone else — and your commitment to seeing those obligations are met.

Consider this the process of learning through study, exploration, instruction, experimentation, or recreation.

Something is effective if it succeeds in producing the desired result.

You feel what others feel, and you probably consider this empathic value as an essential part of your identity .

You cherish the ability to give hope to others and build up their confidence.

To excel is to be outstanding in something or to have an exceptional degree of some knowledge or ability.

This can be a felt encounter with something or the foundation of your superior knowledge and understanding of something.

You embrace the title of expert in your field because you excel in your knowledge or skill

If you enjoy traveling in or through new places to learn about them, you have the heart of an explorer.

With your strong sense of justice, you insist on equal pay for the same amount and quality of work.

Faith is complete trust in someone or something, and it stands apart from both fanaticism and complacency.

You place a high value on your ability to bend easily without breaking — physically, mentally, or emotionally.

You pride yourself on your ability to focus on something (or someone) to the exclusion of everything else.

Freedom is the ability to do what you must without interference from external or internal forces.

You take pride in the way you handle your finances and in your avoidance of waste and unnecessary expenditure.

You look for ways to delight or amuse others to enhance their enjoyment of life — and your own; making time for fun is a priority.

You enjoy giving of yourself and of your time and other resources to others, and you want to pass along this value to your children.

It’s vitally important to you to show thankfulness and express your appreciation for the good things in your life.

You invest a considerable amount of your time and energy in your own personal development and in that of others.

Experiencing and sharing joy, satisfaction, and contentment are high priorities for you.

You prioritize a wholesome diet and an effective fitness regimen. You might start running or some other easy-to-begin workout to solidify health habits.  You also recognize the value of self-care to your well-being.

You place a high value on truthfulness in others, and you’ve made sacrifices to develop or preserve this quality in yourself.

You pride yourself on your optimism or sanguine perspective on the future.

Humble people base their self-worth on what they know to be true about themselves, and this makes them immune to the opinions of others.

You prioritize laughter for yourself and seek to bring more of it to others.

Integrity is when your actions and words are in congruence with your beliefs.

Intimacy can refer to close relationships or to activities that bring two people closer together.

Gut-level directions and insights are your 24-7 copilot (or maybe even your pilot).

You treat people exactly as you would want to be treated, and your kindness attracts others .

The motto, “Throw me to the wolves, and I’ll return leading the pack” resonates strongly with you.

You find opportunities for learning everywhere you go, and you can’t imagine your education ending before you do.

To show and to experience love in its fullness is inseparable from your will to live and your sense of self.

You expect the people close to you to be unwavering in their faithfulness, just as you are to them; loyalty is love put to the test.

Living in the present moment and enjoying all the good things in it — with intention and gratitude — is vital to you.

You enjoy all good things in modest or measured amounts — all the better to savor them and leave more for others.

You breathe in motivation throughout the day and keep the fire in you stoked and ready; you also love to motivate others.

You leave your eyes, your mind, and your heart open to new people, new knowledge, and new experiences.

You believe your tendency to focus on blessings and expect more of them is more in alignment with the truth than pessimism.

You value order — keeping everything in its place and making it easier to keep your spaces clean, clutter-free, and calming.

You love the novelty and buzz of new ideas, adventures, and artistic expressions; you breathe originality into each new creation.

You feel fully alive and electric about your life, your purpose, your relationships, and the work you do.

Life is too short to spend it in turmoil; let there be calm, forgiveness, and harmony within you and in your relationships.

You value the power of communicating effectively and persuading others to do things or to share your perspective.

Professionalism is kindness in a business suit; you treat your customers, coworkers, and other contacts as equals.

Dismantling poorly-constructed arguments and countering them with effective reasoning is your Legoland.

Your life motto could be “Use it,” because no pain or mistake is ever wasted — and you never give up.

Whether it’s authority, accomplishments, or service, you feel compelled to honor it with a certain degree of deference.

You know that real love involves sacrifice — giving up something good for something better or to serve someone else.

You want to feel free or safe from danger or the threat of violence to you or to those you care about.

Your greater susceptibility to pain comes with a greater receptivity to beauty and inspiration.

You’ll try anything once and some things on a daily basis, if possible — just to enjoy the sense experience.

You value your peace of mind so much, you prioritize words and actions that help you preserve it.

It’s not enough for you to get stuff done; that stuff has to have deep personal meaning or it has to contribute to a meaningful goal.

You like to keep things simple and to expel things from your life that make you feel cluttered inside or tied down by a million threads.

You’re drawn to genuine people, even if they’re not always nice; you admire their authenticity and work to emulate it.

You believe not only in the existence of spirits but also their power and your ability to connect with others through your own.

You need to feel that each step will meet solid, level ground; you hate uncertainty and imbalance and look for ways to correct both.

You cultivate bodily strength as well as inner fortitude, and you recognize and admire it in others.

The best stories (and buildings, etc.) have a solid, reliable structure, and you appreciate this when you see it.

Essentially this word means you’ve obtained the results you wanted — ideally without doing something you’ll regret.

You want to feel supported by others, and to be the kind of person others can count on for support when they need it.

Rather than rush to judgment, you put yourself in the other person’s shoes and try to see the situation from their perspective.

You put thought into the gifts you give and the actions you take for others, and you appreciate it when others do the same.

You spend as little as you can on everything from food to clothing to that new (to you) used car — regardless of your income.

You value other people’s time and expect them to return the favor by being punctual and finishing things in a timely manner.

You want people to know they can count on you to keep their secrets and have their backs, and you want to be able to expect the same.

When you truly know someone or something, you comprehend them with your heart as well as your mind.

You delight in your own uniqueness, and you enjoy helping others appreciate how they are unique and why it matters.

You value utility in the things you hold onto. You also strive to make yourself useful when the situation calls for it.

You appreciate virtue when you see it in others, and you work at cultivating it in yourself.

You see things most others miss, and you pursue things most others consider impossible.

Warm and messy trumps cold and immaculate every time; it’s all about the people.

You want to never have to wonder, “Do I have enough in the bank?” Wealth means living your life without being limited by money.

True and profound insights into people and things are a defining characteristic for you — or one you greatly admire in others.

You feel renewed when someone or something reminds you of your worth.

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25 Good Character Traits List Essential For Happiness

Ultimately, knowing your core values is essential to knowing yourself and the power you possess.

Knowing those values is a prerequisite to creating a life in alignment with them.

In order to live intentionally, you need to be aware of the values behind your own words and actions and the values you want to see in yourself and to pass along to your children.

The more your life aligns with your core values, the better able you are to discover your purpose, to grow in that direction, and to contribute in the way only you can.

Need more specific motivators? Consider the following:

• Your Relationships: If you know your values, it becomes easier to identify those who share those values and those who do not.
• Your Peace of Mind: If something in your life is contrary to your values, you experience cognitive dissonance; this conflicted state prevents growth and even pushes you in the opposite direction.
• Your Legacy or Influence: If you know your personal values, you can decide which ones you want to pass along to your children — and how you’ll do that.
• Your Time: If you know your core values, you can stop wasting time jumping from one thing to another; you’ll have a better understanding of what fulfills you and why.
• Your Attention (and all that goes with it): Knowing your values and the ones you want to live by makes it easier to cut things out of your life that draw your attention away from what you truly consider important.

Ready to make your personal core values list?

Have the examples of values listed above helped you identify the ones that define you?

Are you ready to make your own list and to whittle it down to your top ten?

For now, don’t try to copy every word that makes you think, “Well, that’s a good value to have.” There are no bad values in the list, but some will feel more familiar and motivating to you than others will. Go with your gut.

And when you’ve made your list, why not challenge others you know to make their own lists and compare notes.

See which values you hold in common and invite them to elaborate on the values that differ from yours, so you can better understand them.

And may your curiosity and passion for growth influence everything else you do today.

3 thoughts on “The Ultimate List of Core Values And How To Find Yours”

This is a great list. You might also be interested in the Schwartz values. Social psychologist, Shalom H. Schwartz pioneered the Theory of Basic Human Values. His values framework distilled human values down into 10 values categories and 57 individual values.

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100 Examples of Personal Core Values List [2024 Updated List]

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Last Updated on January 3, 2024 by Glori Surban

Did you know that the average adult makes 35,000 decisions per day?

And, fun fact: 226.7 of these decisions are based on food alone.

But what guides the process behind making the choices that you do? What influences your decisions?

If you stop to think about why you have chosen your career path or the city in which you live, you will realize that your core values start to come into play.

Your personal core values are what encompass your foundational beliefs, which then dictate your behavior and guide you to make the decisions that you do.

Your values are broad concepts that can be reapplied many times over in your life in various situations to guide your actions.

Your core values are not something that you choose for yourself. Rather, they’re feelings and beliefs that operate in the background of your mind and influence your behavior. You discover what your values are through life experiences and during the process of building self-awareness.

In this article, I will give you a step-by-step guide on how to discover your own personal core values. Then, I will offer 100 examples of personal core values, each with a short explanation, so you can determine which values resonate with you.

Table of Contents

Why Are Core Values Important?

Having personal core values is important for personal development because they help you make intelligent decisions that are going to work in your favor by playing into your strengths, wants, and needs.

When looking at your path toward personal development , you have to keep your personal core values in mind to help you achieve your goals. Without reflecting upon your values, you will simply react to circumstances by making careless decisions that will hold you back in the long run. 

For example, let’s say you get offered a job two hours away from home and you immediately take it because it will result in a salary increase. You don’t consider any other factors or implications, you just assume that a salary increase means a better life.

However, three months into the job, you realize the cost of living in the new city is much higher, your commute is twice as long, and you really miss seeing your family throughout the week.

Without stopping to really consider your personal core values before accepting the job offer, you unintentionally took a big step backward in terms of personal development.

When you’re aware of your core values, the road to personal development will be much easier because you will innately know what factors in your life you want to focus on in order to be fulfilled.

Your goals will be clear because you will recognize your passions and what makes you happy, and you will align your actions with your skills in order to ultimately be successful.

However, as we mentioned, your personal core values are something that you discover, not something that you choose. So how are you supposed to know what these are and therefore live accordingly?

This may happen by chance. When I was in my late teens, I lived a rather unhealthy lifestyle. I ate a lot of fast food, never considered going to the gym, would park myself in front of the television for hours, and stay out late with my friends, leaving me with little time to sleep.

It wasn’t long before this lifestyle caught up with me. I became very ill, and my routine–and priorities–had to take a quick turn.

My focus turned from French fries to green smoothies and my love for reality television transitioned into a love for running.

While I still loved to spend time with my friends, I turned more of that energy toward my family and became mindful and present at family dinners, listening to what was going on in everyone’s lives rather than sneaking text messages under the table and rushing out at soon as the plates were cleared.

I realized that my personal core values revolved around my physical and mental health. Discovering this sense of clarity dramatically changed my life. Not only did my diet and exercise regimen change, I was also better equipped to make everyday choices that were in my own best interest.

For example, at 18, when faced with a large pizza and some cupcakes, I would tell myself, “I’ll probably regret this later” but that wouldn’t stop me from digging in.

Now, I don’t have to fight an internal battle with impulse control because I know these things aren’t good for me, and enjoying the taste of these types of food for 2 minutes is not a price I am willing to pay for the cost in the end. Instead, I continue to live a healthy lifestyle because it supports my personal core values.

When it comes to my own personal development, living in line with my core values has catapulted me into a life that I consider to be fulfilling and successful, which ultimately is the only person who matters in this equation.

Let’s start by taking a look at how you can discover your own core values. You may think that your values should be obvious to you, but the truth is, most people don’t just automatically know their core values without doing some self-discovery.

Rather, people assume that whatever their society or culture values pretty much sums up what is important to them as well.  If the norm is to graduate from college, get married, have a baby, and live happily ever after is what people just do, that must be what you want to do then too…right?

It‘s easy to come up with a list of things that you should value. But actually discovering what you truly value takes some effort.

RELATED: Habits that Stick!

Want to build a new habit that will stick for the rest of your lifetime? In this video, you will discover a simple 9-step process about building habits that you can immediately implement.

How to Discover Your Core Values

Step 1: do some self-reflection..

Reading lists of values can be helpful if you’re looking for ideas regarding the things in life that other people consider to be their core values.

While you won’t be able to choose your favorite 5 out of 10 (for example) and call them your own, you will notice some values that stand out from the others and resonate with you.

As you’re doing some self-reflection, think about some moments in your life that have been especially meaningful to you or experiences that you consider to be a highlight of your life. What was going on during those times, who were you with, and what were you doing?

Alternatively, think about the exact opposite–the times in your life where you were angry or frustrated. What was causing the frustration? Was a value being suppressed?

For example, have you been miserable in a job where you were micromanaged and monitored constantly? This may help you realize that you value autonomy and a sense of freedom.

Finally, what gives you a sense of fulfillment in your life? Being creative? Going on adventures? Learning new things? These would be things that are of particular value to you.

Write down all of the values that you have come up with so far.

(You can also take these free core values quizzes or answer these core values worksheets to help you get started.)

Step 2: Consolidate.

Identify themes from the large list of values that you just created and create some groups.

For example, if you have loyalty, commitment, and honesty all listed, group them together to create a core value of “human relationships”. Or, if you have optimism, motivation, and inspiration all on your list, you can call that something such as “progress”.

Step 3: Identify your principal core values.

There are a few things that you can then consider in order to reduce your list even further. Which values that you’ve listed are a fundamental part of your life? Which ones define your everyday actions and long term goals?

Because everyone is unique, your personal core values truly only matter to you. You know your strengths and weaknesses and how your priorities play into supporting the areas of your life in which you excel.

Choose only 5 core values off of your list. If you have too few, your unique core values won’t define your individuality. However, if you have too many, you won’t put the amount of focus on any of them that is needed in order to leverage your personal development.

Step 4: Rank them.

Pick the value that is of most importance to you and go down from there. Once you have come up with your ranking, wait a few days and look at your list again.

See if you still feel like you have ranked your core values in the right order, or take some time to move some around. This may take several tries before you feel absolutely confident.

Treat this as a living document. You can always revisit your values and analyze how they make you feel. While some of your values may be very consistent with the person you are today, that may change over a period of time. You should always be sure that your values feel personal and unique to your identity.

To ensure that you’re living in line with your personal core values, refer to the list that you have created every month and rate yourself on how well you’re honoring each value on an everyday basis.

If your level of satisfaction with one of your values declines over time, consider some changes that you could make to improve on this. Create some action steps that will deliberately bring you closer to living in line with your values.

For example, if one of your values is progress or learning and you don’t feel like you have gained any new knowledge or experiences lately, make the decision to read 2 books per month until you feel like your personal rating begins to improve.

Now that you know how to create your core personal values, let’s look at some core value examples that may give you some insight into what you truly value in your own life.

100 Examples of Core Values

Whomever you consider to be your “family” may be a primary value to you because they provide you with support and companionship.

Family is often a core value in people’s lives and influences decisions such as where to live and how to celebrate holidays. ( Learn how to discover your family's core values in this post. )

2. Creativity

If you value creativity, you enjoy using your imagination to solve problems or generate new ideas. Valuing creativity supports your ability to make a change in society that other people find significant.

3. Communication

Valuing communication involves not only having information relayed properly to you, but also ensuring that your own thoughts are effectively heard by other people.

4. Achievement

Accomplishing something in your life or work that is noteworthy could be something that adds a unique sense of value to your life. Your achievement values impact your motivation because your incentive to work outweighs the cost of doing so.

5. Competition

Holding a value of competition means that you are able to gain energy through a sense of rivalry to be the most respected in a domain. But it's important to learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy competition .

6. Self-Confidence

Having this value involves being successful in such a way that you recognize your skills are making a positive contribution to your community or those around you.

7. Structure

Valuing structure involves having a sense of control over your surroundings and exercising discipline to maintain an acceptable level of restriction.

8. Decision-Making

Taking personal responsibility for initiating a course of action may be of high value to you. This means that you find it fulfilling to act according to your own conscience without having to be prompted by an external force.

9. Education

Aside from achieving a certification of educational accomplishment, valuing education involves the process of being a lifelong learner and continuing to gain understanding through perceptive insight.

10. Congruence

This involves being true to your authentic self and communicating to others externally in a way that matches your internal thoughts and feelings.

11. Tradition

Valuing tradition would involve ritualizing some sort of history in your life to add a sense of enrichment, and passing that on to subsequent generations.

12. Trusting Relationships

Valuing trusting relationships means that one of your top priorities is to be able to express your thoughts and feelings in a mutually trusting environment where you and the other person have confidence in the integrity of one another.

13. Service

When one of your personal core values is service, you find a sense of fulfillment in sharing your talents or abilities with others in a way that is beneficial to their lives, and you’re willing to contribute to your society without expecting anything in return.

14. Responsibility

Some people strongly value having a sense of sole personal accountability for the success of a specific area of their community or group. This often promotes self-confidence and can lead to a deep sense of accomplishment.

15. Perseverance

People who become very successful have undoubtedly failed more often throughout their lives than many others have even tried. It is easy to quit, but perseverance pays off.

16. Consistency

Consistency often gives people reassurance in the decisions that they make because they can rely on a certain process that they’re used to. ( Read our post about the rules of consistency. )

This should not be overlooked when it comes to values, as humor can make a big difference in lightening the load of a difficult situation. When used appropriately, humor can be an effective tool.

18. Freedom

This is a value that most people hold close to their hearts–and it doesn’t only involve valuing your own freedom–it also encompasses advocating from freedom if you ever see an opportunity to do so.

19. Confidence

Being confident often helps people trust you and your decisions. When you value confidence, it suggests you also value competence.

20. Diversity

Diversity isn’t only about accepting people from different cultures; it is about seeking out opportunities to interact with people who have various backgrounds in order to learn new perspectives.

21. Resilience

How easy is it for you to cope with adversity? If you value resilience, you strive to be flexible, go with the flow, and bounce back after things don’t go your way.

22. Simplicity

People tend to make things more complicated than they need to be. Those who prefer to keep things straightforward are those who value simplicity.

If you want to learn more about how to live simply, here are the best books on minimalism to help you start simplifying your life .

Valuing faith can look different to everybody, but it often refers to believing that everything will work out the way that it is supposed to. When you value faith, you will allow your beliefs to guide your decisions.

24. Balance

If one of your personal core values is balance, you prevent any one thing from taking over your life. Between your career, family, friends, and hobbies, you make sure to keep your own personal enjoyment in mind and you level out your stress with relaxation.

25. Happiness

While this may seem obvious, many people don’t take the time to truly find what makes them happy to then be able to plan their lives around those things.

26. Risk-Taking

If you value taking risks, you know that if you follow your gut, there is a chance that it will lead to a huge payoff. You’re not afraid to face the option of failing if there is also an option for success.

27. Imagination

Valuing imagination can be a huge advantage to anyone in our fast-paced society. Being able to come up with an idea that no one else has thought of before can be a huge part of being successful.

28. Intelligence

Valuing intelligence isn’t just acknowledging your natural born ability to understand concepts. It involves constantly yearning to learn more.

29. Approachability

People who hold a personal core value of being approachable want others to feel free to come to them with problems. People who want to be approachable often easily gain the trust of other people.

30. Originality

Valuing originality means that you walk your own path and stray away from what everyone else seems to be doing. This value comes naturally and can usually be seen through art or creativity.

People who value growth are never willing to settle and always look for an opportunity to learn in the face of adversity.

32. Compliance

Being compliant does not mean you’re weak. There is a lot of value in having the ability to follow directions or take the advice of a superior.

33. Inner Peace

This personal core value refers to the ability to be comfortable with yourself, the people around you, and being accepting of the life you’re living.

34. Fitness

Valuing fitness will help you give energy toward the other values in your life. If your body is healthy, your mind can be healthy as well.

35. Collaboration

Working together by sharing your ideas with others can result in accomplishing something great. Collaborating with others will often lead to something that is greater than the sum of its parts.

36. Self-Awareness

This is a very important core value to have, as it lets you realize when you’ve messed up and pinpoint how you can fix your mistakes in the future.

Having self-awareness also means you know why you react to certain situations in the way that you do and recognize triggers that may lead to certain emotions.

Valuing wisdom isn’t just about putting an emphasis on knowledge. It is also about having your knowledge stand the test of time and being able to reflect on your experiences to exact your knowledge .

38. Fairness

While it is true that people say life is not fair, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t strive to make it that way. When you value fairness, you can also establish trust and dependability with other people.

39. Sincerity

This can go hand-in-hand with honesty, but it also involves being authentic in everything you say and avoiding putting on any type of front to impress other people.

40. Justice

Valuing justice means that you feel a personal sense of responsibility to achieve equality in the world and you feel compassion for those who are not treated fairly.

( Learning about confirmation bias is a step in the right direction if you want to treat other fairly.)

41. Conservation

Wanting to conserve what you currently have and not constantly seeking more resources to consume is an important value to have. When you value conservation, there is a good chance that you are satisfied with the things you have and content in your life.

42. Community

Valuing community means striving to create a sense of belongingness in your surroundings and being willing to give back to places that have contributed to who you are today.

43. Consideration

Being considerate of others, even if they aren’t around, is a strong value to have. This means leaving places better than you found them and keeping other people’s needs in mind.

44. Modesty

If you value modesty, you let your actions speak for themselves and avoid boasting about your abilities.

45. Passion

Having enthusiasm for living your life on your own terms will ensure that you also have the determination that is needed to succeed. ( Check out this post about passion project ideas. )

46. Confidence

Your confidence is the sense of value that you place on yourself and the faith you have in your own capabilities. It gives you the strength to pursue what you want in life.

47. A Positive Mindset

Staying positive and looking for the silver lining in any troubles that you face can help you achieve your desired results.

48. Open-Mindedness

Even if you don’t think you will agree with an idea or concept, being able to consider it and be willing to entertain a variety of ideas is a good value to have.

Being able to tell things like they are is a helpful core value because many people shy away from the truth in fear of hurting others or becoming chastised.

50. Longevity

Those who value longevity seek to live in a healthy way in order to spend more time on earth with the ones they love.

Knowing when to stop is a huge factor in success. You need to rest your body and your mind to be on top of your game when it really counts.

52. Punctuality

The thing about valuing punctuality is that it shows a great respect for other people’s time as well. This allows people to depend on you and hopefully have a mutual respect for your time as well.

53. Education

Those who value education know that it is never too late to learn–even in a formal learning environment.

54. Professionalism

This isn’t just about knowing how to act professionally in the workplace. It is also about knowing how to be polite , use good manners, and be dependable in your everyday life.

55. Frugality

Having a natural tendency to spend money conservatively suggests that you value frugality. This also means you’re looking toward the future and not focusing on immediate satisfaction.

56. Stillness

Embracing silence or calmness can not only be a great value to have, but also a great skill. Those who know when to speak and when to listen are often highly respected.

57. Objectivity

It is helpful to value objectivity in the workplace because it means you’re willing to look at the facts when you’re confronted with a conflict. You’re able to put your emotions and personal involvement aside.

58. Bravery

When one of your personal core values is bravery, it means that you always do the right thing, even if you’re the only person making the tough decision.

59. Patience

Valuing patience means recognizing the fact that sometimes the only thing that can make something work out in your favor is time.

60. Composure

The ability to remain calm in the face of adversity and control your emotions helps people trust you and feel like you’re a reliable and poised person.

Whether you value wealth to be able to provide for your family or to be able to live a peaceful life, this is a personal core value that isn’t as selfish as it may sound.

62. Adventure

Those who value adventure lead rich and exciting lives by seeking out new experiences to expand their skills and existence.

63. Playfulness

If you can really appreciate a good break from hard work to have a laugh, you probably value playfulness. Letting your mind relax is healthy in order to be really effective once you get back to work.

64. Assertion

Those who value being assertive know what they want, act quickly to obtain it, and do what they have to do to be successful. 

65. Novelty

Some value the pursuit of new challenges, circumstances, and experiences in life. If you live in the same town where you were born and tend to stick to a routine, novelty is likely not one of your personal core values.

66. Generosity

If you value generosity, you understand that it doesn’t just involve giving other people money or tangible items. You can also be generous with your time, compassion, and energy.

67. Determination

Refusing to give up when things get tough changes challenging situations into opportunities for triumph.

68. Orderliness

Many people have a hard time making any personal progress if they’re living in a chaotic environment. Cleanliness and orderliness are often values people hold to maintain a calm state of mind .

69. Honesty

It is very difficult to repair a bad reputation, especially if it is one that suggests you cannot be trusted. Telling the truth and sticking to your word are both critical in the long run, which makes diligently protecting your reputation an important value. ( Check this collection of honesty quotes. )

70. Acceptance

Our world has billions of people in it–all of whom are somehow unique. Being able to accept people who are completely different from you can help increase the pleasure and enlightenment in your life.

Update to Core Values List

71. Environmental Sustainability

Both individuals and companies are becoming increasingly concerned about environmental sustainability to protect the earth for future generations in addition to our own.

According to the EPA , air pollution can increase one’s risk of suffering from health issues such as heart attacks, lung disease, and premature mortality.

Further, the CDC has reported that the pollution in water can increase one’s risks of developing gastrointestinal illnesses, reproductive issues, and neurological disorders.

Considering that the environment can be harming us if it’s not properly cared for has made environmental sustainability a common value among people.

72. Patriotism

Many people living in America value freedom and patriotism to our country. Now, not everyone who values patriotism is constantly waving American flags. It’s more about learning from our past mistakes and being vigilant about considering if the country is headed in the right direction.

Patriotism is a spirit of camaraderie for others who live in this country, regardless of their background. Valuing patriotism is about knowing when the country is fumbling and doing your part to make it a better place.

73. Efficiency

Valuing efficiency means knowing how to work smarter, not harder . When people are able to work together in balance, work can flow smoothly and things can get done.

Valuing this type of operational excellence–whether that is for a group or an individual–means always being prepared for change and improvement in your work.

74. Courage

As one of the principal characteristics of leadership, courage guarantees a lot of other great qualities in a leader. Courage demonstrates confidence and a willingness to use your voice to influence others .

Courage is an important value to have because it defines your decision to act according to your values and work toward your goals instead of letting yourself be distracted or allured by irrelevant and potentially harmful temptations.

75. Respect

Giving and receiving respect is important because it fosters a sense of connection between people and it makes us feel comfortable expressing ourselves to others.

Valuing respect means you’re able to accept other people, despite their difference in background or beliefs from your own. Having respect helps build feelings of trust, security, and safety.

76. Commitment

People commit to things that they believe in–whether that’s a relationship, a new opportunity, or anything else that seems truly promising.

Those who value commitment are good at managing both personal and professional relationships, especially when it comes to handling conflicts, building a sense of trust, collaborating with others, and working well on a team. When commitment is on your list of values, you likely also have:

• A strong work ethic
• Feelings of accountability

77. Independence

Valuing your independence doesn’t mean that you never rely on other people for anything. It simply means that you have the ability to give something meaningful back whenever you take from someone else.  

Independence gives you control over your own life and it makes you a creator rather than a user .

Check out this downloadable adulting checklist to help you in your journey to independent.

78. Inclusiveness

Inclusion is a value that focuses on accepting diversity– it supports real opportunities for all people to form meaningful relationships .

Just over the last two decades, people’s rights have evolved through policies and laws that require services to offer accommodations allowing everyone to participate. However, inclusion will never be fully realized until people live in line with these policies.

Inclusiveness is about having positive interactions with other people and valuing everyone for who they are. That said, it has to be intrinsically motivated and derive from holding the belief that everyone has value and a right to belong.

79. Accuracy

Whether you’re working with data at work or in your personal life, valuing accuracy allows you to gain the necessary insight to make the best decisions .

While some people and companies focus a great deal of attention on getting as much information as possible, the information gathered is not always correct, and often people gain knowledge that they don’t even know what to do with.

But if you value accuracy, you will be less likely to make errors or waste time with useless information.

80. Altruism

Those who value altruism have an unselfish concern for other people. They perform random acts of kindness on a regular basis and do things to help others for the sole reason of benefitting someone else in some way.

Valuing altruism means you don’t feel obligated to do anything for others due to having a sense of loyalty or even for religious reasons. If you make it a priority to do selfless acts , you value altruism. 

81. Calmness

Valuing calmness helps you stay relatively relaxed and think logically during high-pressure situations.

This is an important value to hold if you often face adversity, because with a calm mind, you can have mental clarity and find solutions to problems you’re facing by making reasonable decisions or compromises with other people rather than fighting.

This article offers some tips to help you calm your mind if you feel like it’s constantly racing.

Your talents are your abilities, skills, and competencies that govern what you can do. With a growth mindset, you work on developing your talents over time because you know that you can. When you value talent in yourself and in others, you can optimize your time by working in line with your realized value.

If you happen to have true talent in a specific area–either personally or professionally–you also possess a great amount of intrinsic value that can have a strong positive impact on your life.

83. Tradition

Think of your family traditions for holidays, birthdays, or even just summer nights. If you value tradition, you’re likely to teach these things to future generations of your family to keep the traditions going.

Many people value tradition because it helps define the uniqueness of a family or any type of tight-knit community.

84. Persistence

As a runner, persistence is a personal value of mine. Persistence is the determination to keep going, regardless of how you feel. Even if you feel like quitting, you keep working because you know success doesn’t come without a cost.

Valuing persistence is a motivating factor in continuing to take action on the days that you want to quit, which allows you to keep accumulating results. With persistence, you press on until you achieve whatever goal you’re working toward.

The value of unity is that everyone on a team or in a group setting is respected. Unity breeds cooperation, increases people’s enthusiasm, and furnishes an empowering atmosphere. When you value unity, you believe in fostering a sense of belonging and improving everyone’s wellbeing.

86. Tolerance

Valuing tolerance goes beyond having an ability to “put up” with something. When you value tolerance, it means you have a positive view toward relationships among people who differ from each other. Tolerance can be linked to respect, equality, and independence.

Valuing tolerance makes it possible for conflicting beliefs and ideas to coexist, as long as they lie within common moral values. Tolerance is a critical component in social unity and can be a remedy to prejudice.

87. Authenticity

Not valuing authenticity, especially when it comes to your own actions, can result in anxiety, frustration, depression, and a loss of meaning in your life .

Many people present themselves in a way they believe is the most socially acceptable or in a way that they think other people want them to present themselves.

While we all try to abide by social norms, taking the time to reflect on the person you really are will allow you to become the best version of yourself and live a fulfilling life.

88. Challenge

Valuing challenge and continually finding different avenues to challenge yourself is one of the best ways to ensure consistent personal growth .

Facing challenges allows you opportunities to thrive and push yourself beyond what you once believed to be your limits to accomplish things and make progress. The more willing you are to face challenges, the richer your life will be.

89. Recognition

Valuing recognition of your work means that you know its importance and you want other people to see that as well. You want confirmation of its importance to the world.

This doesn’t mean that you always feel like you need to be praised, it’s simply a value that means you feel a sense of satisfaction when you’re reassured that you’re adding value to some sort of domain. Being recognized for your work helps you stay motivated to maintain–or even improve–your performance.

90. Security

Security of oneself as a value is clear these days with the increase in methods of personal identity safekeeping.

And, with one burglary happening every 13 seconds , people also value the security of their homes. People want to minimize their risk of being a victim of any type of security threat, which makes this a common value.

91. Self-Respect

Those who value self-respect know when to say “no” to anything in their lives that is emotionally, mentally, or financially unhealthy.  Valuing self-respect means knowing your worth, your value, and being willing to advocate for yourself whenever necessary.

Given these beliefs, you’re able to set boundaries with other people and draw a firm line in regard to how you will and won’t be treated.

92. Moderation

Our brains are quick to become accustomed to any type of stimulation. In fact, our bodies are too . This is why doing the exact same workout every day wouldn’t continue to produce results six months after starting the routine.

This is also why people go through that honeymoon phase when they meet a new partner. Your brain always wants more.

However, this often leads to things that are unhealthy– more junk food , more alcohol, more Netflix…

However, if you value moderation, you will find that you’re able to experience more fulfillment and gratification from everyday things. You won’t need to be searching for extremes to find some type of brain rush.

93. Continuous Learning

People who value continuous learning are the same people who value self-improvement and continued success. With access to information at our fingertips, those who value continuous learning are in luck, as the ability to teach oneself about any topic is simple.

94. Restraint

Restraint naturally emerges in the short pause your body takes after breathing in and before breathing out.

Your mind and body both know how to pause before taking action, allowing you the time to generate awareness and consider the results of your next move before choosing to take it.

Valuing this ability to pause helps you make decisions in a deeper state of awareness to determine the best course of action.

95. Preparedness

There are certainly some things in life that you can never prepare for, but by valuing this quality, people are able to either avoid or mitigate unwelcomed circumstances. Identifying risks in any area of your life and coming up with potential plans for action is rarely something that is regretted.

( Here are some examples of personal development plan templates that can help you prepare. )

96.Versatility

Our society loves “things”. We love extra features, “all-in-one” products, and things of the sort–and we also love saving money . Putting those two things together undoubtedly makes versatility a common value among people.

Recycling and repurposing are popular ways in which people act on their value of versatility, as reusing older products to make something “new” or completely starting from scratch with used materials are both environmentally sustainable practices, which are also valued among people. 

97. Partnership

When you value partnership, you also value collaboration, respect, teamwork, and loyalty. Whether it’s in a business or a personal setting, valuing partnership sets the stage for various ideas and opinions to come together to create something better than the sum of its parts.

98. Responsiveness

Responsiveness is an important value that seems to have gone missing from many people, both personally and professionally. And, with the endless ways to get in touch these days, it’s surprising that some people simply fail to do so.

Those who value responsiveness make it a point to answer others’ inquiries in a timely manner because that is how they prefer people to respond to them. Valuing responsiveness is also about valuing respect for other people and their time.

Valuing grace means living a life of unconditional love and gratitude. Having grace is at the core of connecting with other people, as it allows you to understand, empathize, and forgive. Many who value grace find it to offer a sense of healing.

100. Innovation

Innovation is an important value to some because it encompasses forward thinking and the advancement of society by solving collective problems using methods that are both sustainable and efficient, typically with new technology.

Whether you’re engaging in incremental innovation by improving something that already exists, or radical innovation by finding an entirely new way of doing something, valuing innovation means never being complacent by accepting the status quo.

Final Thoughts on Your Core Values

Your core values should be personal to you, as they make up a unique formula to create success in your life.

Consider this list of values and take notice which ones resonate with you. Then be mindful of how you’re living your life in line with the values that you choose and take action if you need to make some adjustments in your life that will help you be more true to your personal values.

And once you figure out your core values, invite more positive things into your life by turning it into a meaningful life motto .

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals .

Connie Mathers is a professional editor and freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. When she is not writing, Connie is either spending time with her daughter and two dogs, running, or working at her full-time job as a social worker in Richmond, VA.

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Speaker 1: You are special. You may not think it, but we need to extract all of those really important things about you so that we can market you to the grad school application panel and we can make you as memorable as possible. Now you may be thinking, well I'm not memorable, there's nothing special about me. Stop, stop right there. Everyone is special. That's what my mum told me. So, we have got to extract those things. The first thing you're gonna do is list all of the things that make you memorable and it's easier than just sort of brainstorming your way into oblivion. Check out this table. This is what I've created for you. You'll get a link to this in the description. So the first one you should think about is unique personal experiences. What moments in your life do you have that really stand out? Have you done something special? Unique experiences, unique challenges you've overcome, make sure they're in your grad school application. Academic and professional achievements. Have you achieved something very sort of prestigious? Have you got an award? Something that not many people get? I wanna know about that in your personal statement. Research interests and goals. Because this is grad school, in your undergrad was there anything that made you go, ooh, I like that, I wanna do more of it. It's that sort of passion, that sort of interest that needs to come across in your personal statement. So, dig deep. What is it in your past that bubbled up that interest? Motivation and passion. What is it in your past that has really motivated you? What special interests have really sort of made you stand up and go, this is what I wanna do. That's the sort of experience you need to express in your personal statement. Community engagement and leadership. We need to see you as a leader. So, where have you taken charge? Where have you involved yourself in a community's development? That is what we need to make sure comes out as part of your personal statement, if you have that experience, of course. Cultural awareness and diversity. This is becoming increasingly important. What experience have you had with cultural diversity that has enriched your life? I'd love to know about that in your personal statement as well. Your vision for the future. What is it in your field that, if you achieve, will change the world for the better? Think big, think blue sky, think really massive impact of your work. And we wanna make sure that that same feeling, that same feeling of making the world better is expressed in your grad school personal statement. Lastly, we wanna be looking at personal traits and skills. What skills do you have, like critical thinking, like kindness, caring? Those sort of things can be really good to bring a sense of personality and humanness to your application that, quite often, can be really robotic. You don't have to have all of these, by the way. These are just some areas in which you could come up with some ideas. If you're not sure that you're able to do this on your own, do it with someone else that knows you really well, a partner, a best friend, a parent. They have got a great insight into you, and we need to extract all that juicy goodness from you, like a bloody lemon, so that we can put it into your personal statement. Now we have all of those juicy details, we want to be able to create a personal statement, and where do we start? My favorite place with a structure. Let's not overthink it to start with, because we're going to use some secret ingredients later on in this video that will really make your grad school personal statement shine, but for the moment, we just want to get the blocks out of the way. The one thing I always do with AI is head over to ChatGPT and say, hey, create a general structure for, in this case, a personal statement for someone applying to grad school, and then you have the building blocks from which to build your first draft. I'm not saying this is perfect, but I'm saying it just means that you get a start, and we're always thinking about these things in the back of our mind as we're writing this. So, introduction, opening hook, purpose of application, educational and professional background. This is where we're going to just go in and we're just going to put some bullet points about the things we can talk about. Then we'll flesh it out into sentences. That's really easy, but all the time, for each section, we're going to go back to this and say, you know what? What of these special things can I put in? We don't want to include all of them and overwhelm people, but if you have some really powerful, special things about you, you need to make sure they're in the right sections, and this will help you do that. So, go through each section and just write bullet points initially, and then flesh it out with words, and you'll be amazed at what you can build out so very quickly. Why this program? That's really important. The three whys. Why you, why this program, and why now should come through in this personal statement, and then we've got personal qualities and skills. You can see that this links nicely with the format we've got here. Now, this isn't going to be perfect. In fact, it may be a bit rubbish, but it's a first draft. It's meant to be a little bit rubbish. Now, this is where I really feel like we can turn your soup of a personal statement into this bland, onion, gross soup into something that Salt Bae would be proud of. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I don't know why I did that. I don't even like Salt Bae. I went through a load of personal statements. I put them into ChatGPT, and I came up with the elements, the secret ingredients that made them super powerful, and now I'm going to share those secrets with you. So, you're going to get this file as well. The link is in the description. So, these are the things that made the personal statements amazing. Quite often, they had uncommon topic and connections. Essays that introduce something that is a little bit uncommon or makes connections between two things that are common but don't necessarily seem to go together makes the person's brain reading it just sort of like go, ooh, this is interesting, because they read hundreds of these. So, that is a really important bit. Don't worry, we're going to include some in a minute. Experimental structure. Sometimes, it's just really boring when it's like, I did this. You know, this structure that we just come up with, it's fine to start with, but sometimes it's a little bit boring. So, is there a narrative structure you can tell? Can you tell it like a story? Can you tell it like a diary? Can you tell it like a play? Something a little bit different, a little bit of a flavor you can sprinkle in may really help your personal statement. A super strong personal statement answers the so what question. So, it's not just about here's some facts, here's some facts, here's some facts, here's some facts. It's about being able to go a little bit deeper. For each thing you say, just ask yourself, so what? A couple of times to get to the layer below the layer, to make sure that they understand you can reflect on your experiences and it provides that deeper reflection on why you're applying and the ability to look inside you and gain information and grow from experiences is what we're really trying to look for. So, ask yourself, so what? Visceral and emocive, emocative. All right, visceral and whatever that word is, language. All right, so we want to use powerful words. We want to use verbs that really hit home and we can do that just by asking for power words and for stronger verbs in place of what we've written. We can do that with ChatGPT, it is amazing at doing that. So, that is what we're looking for in a personal statement. With that first draft, go through it. Every time you see a verb, highlight it. Think about if that's the real verb you want to use or if there's one a little bit better. Effective use of dialogue. In fact, I was amazed at how many personal statements had a little bit of dialogue between characters. It really breaks it up. Even in a short personal statement, you can break it up by having special quotes from really good information or really good insights from mentors that you've been given. You can frame it like a conversation that can be really good at not only sort of like emphasizing you as a person, but also the characters around you that built you to the person and the academic that you are right now. Those are the things it had, but don't worry, don't get overwhelmed. This next step is going to show you how to include all of these in a really simple way. Check this little trick out. I found a little bit of a boring personal statement online and this is what I asked ChatGPT to do. I said, this is the first draft of my personal statement. Give me feedback on the following criteria and how I may be able to improve my draft. Then I've got this, the uncommon topics. I've got the experimental structure. Everything we've just talked about, I just copied and pasted it in. And then I said underneath, this is the draft or the draft. And then I put it in. And this is where the magic really happens is that it will go through and say, okay, for uncommon topic and connections, this is what you're currently doing and this is what you can do to make it better. Was there a particular patient or experiment that solidified your passion? That is going to be so important to flesh out. Experimental structure. So the essay follows a traditional structure and it says here, you could restructure your essay to interweave your personal experiences with your academic interests more creatively. And it gives you an example. If you're not sure about what it means, ask it. Say, hey, for the experimental structure, come up with another draft for me that I may be able to use to model my response. That's a really good way of going deeper than just this information bit. Answers the so what question. Here's what you've done. And then deepen the reflections on your experiences. How did working in the care home change your understanding of medicine's role in society? Super, super powerful, but just a simple little tweak in a range of different areas can make your personal statement shine. Like my bald head. Bing. And it goes on and on. That is what I would do to make a super powerful first draft and I would go through this each section just looking for those five special ingredients seeing if I can inject them in. Now you don't want to overdo it. You still want it to make it seem like you are telling a nice cohesive story. But by adding some of these elements in the best way for your story and your personal statement you can really, really make it shine. And all of this stuff I'm going to share below in the description. Do all of the things in this video and I am convinced that your personal statement will get 100 times more powerful than it ever was before. Small disclaimer, I hope so. Please don't sue me if that doesn't actually happen. If you like this video go check out this one next because it is super powerful. It tells you the five critical elements that every grad school application and personal statement should have. It's a great watch, something that's definitely on your to watch list after this one. Go check it out.