Core Values are the guiding principles that dictate behavior and action. These values are what tell your subconscious what is right and what is wrong.
Core Values tend to be fairly similar across the board, things like: honesty, diligence, consistency, creativity, and impact.
According to best selling author Kevin Daum, there are 5 steps to figuring out your own core values.
Step 1
Take a moment and think about and write down in detail the following:
- What are your three greatest accomplishments?
- What are your three greatest moments in efficiency?
- What are any common rules or themes you can identify between the two?
Step 2
Take a moment and think about and write down in detail the following:
- What have been your greatest failures?
- What are your 3 greatest moments of inefficiency?
- What are any common rules or themes you can identify between the two?
Step 3
Now decide what advice you would give yourself based on these commonalities?
Step 4
Take that advice, and try to narrow it down to only a few words. The example that Daum uses is, “Don’t overindulge in food and booze at parties and get in trouble.” Reduce that down to “Keep Control Through Moderation,” or simply, “moderation.”
Step 5
Now that you have that value, you’ll want to test it. This is the fun part. Think of a situation where you were hurt, rather than helped, by your core values. The example that Daum gives is innovation might sound like a good value, until you realize your life functions well with stability and scheduling, instead of constant change. This would mean that innovation isn’t a great core value for you.
If you test these core values and find that they apply to your life positively and have shown to do so in the past, then that becomes a great core value for your life.
This process will take time and a lot of thought. However, the benefits of it can be large. Once you know your core values you can focus on improving them and how they apply to your life.
It might take some adjusting down the road as you realize some of your earlier core values aren’t as strong as you originally thought they were. However, once you figure out these values, they will help you navigate your life and help you set and achieve higher, more productive, goals.