define personal values essay

Home — Essay Samples — Philosophy — Values of Life — My Personal Values in Life

My Personal Values in Life

Categories: Values of Life

About this sample

Words: 773 |

Published: Jan 31, 2024

Words: 773 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Introduction, body paragraph 1: personal value 1, body paragraph 2: personal value 2, body paragraph 3: personal value 3, counterargument.

Adler, M. J. (2000). The four dimensions of philosophy: Metaphysical, moral, objective, categorical. Routledge.
Miller, W. R., & Thoresen, C. E. (2003). Spirituality, religion, and health: An emerging research field. American Psychologist, 58(1), 24-35.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford University Press.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr Jacklynne

Verified writer

Expert in: Philosophy

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 595 words

1 pages / 610 words

2 pages / 990 words

3 pages / 1296 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Values of Life

Anderson, C. A., Berkowitz, L., Donnerstein, E., Huesmann, L. R., Johnson, J. D., Linz, D., ... & Wartella, E. (2003). The influence of media violence on youth. Psychological science in the public interest, 4(3), 81-110.Ara, R., [...]

It is a well-worn saying that "the best things in life are free." This age-old adage reminds us that amidst the hustle and bustle of our consumer-driven world, there are priceless treasures that cannot be purchased with money. [...]

Ethics and values are foundational principles that guide human behavior and shape the moral fabric of society. They define what is right and wrong, influence decision-making, and determine the standards by which individuals and [...]

Adonis, J. (1995). A history of The Boys' Brigade. The Boys' Brigade Asia.Boys' Brigade Australia. (2018). History of The Boys' Brigade. Routledge

Many of the values and beliefs I possess, I actually developed at very early age. And as I have grown, my values have also changed or gone through numerous tests. And though I have held onto most of my values and beliefs, I [...]

The "This I Believe" essay series has provided a platform for individuals to share their deeply held beliefs, values, and reflections on life. These essays offer a glimpse into the diverse perspectives and convictions that shape [...]

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

How it works

For Business

Join Mind Tools

Article • 9 min read

What Are Your Values?

Deciding what's important in life.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

Key Takeaways

Your personal values are a central part of who you are – and who you want to be.
By becoming more aware of these vital factors in your life, you can use them as a guide to make the best choice in any situation.
Some of life's decisions are really about determining what you value most. When many options seem reasonable, you can rely on your values to point you in the right direction.
When how you live matches your values, life is usually good. When your existence doesn't align with your personal values, that's when things feel... wrong and you can feel unhappy.

How would you define your values?

Before you answer this question, you need to know what, in general, values are.

Your values are the things that you believe are important in the way you live and work.

They (should) determine your priorities, and, deep down, they're probably the measures you use to tell if your life is turning out the way you want it to.

When the things that you do and the way you behave match your values, life is usually good – you're satisfied and content. But when these don't align with your personal values, that's when things feel... wrong. This can be a real source of unhappiness.

This is why making a conscious effort to identify your values is so important. So in this article and in the video, below, we're going to take a look at how you can identify your personal values.

How Values Help You

Values exist, whether you recognize them or not. Life can be much easier when you acknowledge your values – and when you make plans and decisions that honor them.

If you value family, but you have to work 70-hour weeks in your job, will you feel internal stress and conflict? And if you don't value competition, and you work in a highly competitive sales environment, are you likely to be satisfied with your job?

In these types of situations, understanding your values can really help. When you know your own values, you can use them to make decisions about how to live your life, and you can answer questions like these:

What job should I pursue?
Should I accept this promotion?
Should I start my own business?
Should I compromise, or be firm with my position?
Should I follow tradition, or travel down a new path?

So, take the time to understand the real priorities in your life, and you'll be able to determine the best direction for you and your life goals !

Values are usually fairly stable, yet they don't have strict limits or boundaries. Also, as you move through life, your values may change.

For example, when you start your career, success – measured by money and status – might be a top priority.

But after you have a family, work-life balance may be what you value more.

As your definition of success changes, so do your personal values. This is why keeping in touch with your values is a lifelong exercise. You should continuously revisit this, especially if you start to feel unbalanced... and you can't quite figure out why.

As you go through the exercise below, bear in mind that values that were important in the past may not be relevant now.

Defining Your Values

When you define your personal values, you discover what's truly important to you. A good way of starting to do this is to look back on your life – to identify when you felt really good, and really confident that you were making good choices.

Step 1: Identify the times when you were happiest

Find examples from both your career and personal life. This will ensure some balance in your answers.

What were you doing?
Were you with other people? Who?
What other factors contributed to your happiness?

Step 2: Identify the times when you were most proud

Use examples from your career and personal life.

Why were you proud?
Did other people share your pride? Who?
What other factors contributed to your feelings of pride?

Step 3: Identify the times when you were most fulfilled and satisfied

Again, use both work and personal examples.

What need or desire was fulfilled?
How and why did the experience give your life meaning?
What other factors contributed to your feelings of fulfillment?

Step 4: Determine your top values, based on your experiences of happiness, pride, and fulfillment

Why is each experience truly important and memorable? Use the following list of common personal values to help you get started – and aim for about 10 top values. (As you work through, you may find that some of these naturally combine. For instance, if you value philanthropy, community, and generosity, you might say that service to others is one of your top values.)

Common Personal Core Values

Step 5: prioritize your top values.

This step is probably the most difficult, because you'll have to look deep inside yourself. It's also the most important step, because, when making a decision, you'll have to choose between solutions that may satisfy different values. This is when you must know which value is more important to you.

Write down your top values, not in any particular order.
Look at the first two values and ask yourself, "If I could satisfy only one of these, which would I choose?" It might help to visualize a situation in which you would have to make that choice. For example, if you compare the values of service and stability, imagine that you must decide whether to sell your house and move to another country to do valuable foreign aid work, or keep your house and volunteer to do charity work closer to home.
Keep working through the list, by comparing each value with each other value, until your list is in the correct order.

If you have a tough time doing this, consider using Paired Comparison Analysis to help you. With this method, you decide which of two options is most important, and then assign a score to show how much more important it is. Since it's so important to identify and prioritize your values, investing your time in this step is definitely worth it.

Step 6: Reaffirm your values

Check your top-priority values, and make sure that they fit with your life and your vision for yourself.

Do these values make you feel good about yourself?
Are you proud of your top three values?
Would you be comfortable and proud to tell your values to people you respect and admire?
Do these values represent things you would support, even if your choice isn't popular, and it puts you in the minority?

When you consider your values in decision making, you can be sure to keep your sense of integrity and what you know is right, and approach decisions with confidence and clarity. You'll also know that what you're doing is best for your current and future happiness and satisfaction.

Making value-based choices may not always be easy. However, making a choice that you know is right is a lot less difficult in the long run.

Top Tip for Defining Your Own Core Values

You can breathe life into your values by defining briefly, in writing, what they represent to you. Crystalizing what they stand for and why they matter to you will help embed their importance.

Keep the definitions short and write them in your own words, so you are really connected to them. These definitions will be handy reminders of who you are and what matters most to you – when and if you need reminding when there are decisions to be made.

For example, if one of your core values is “creativity” you might say, “I value it because the ability to solve problems and to come up with fresh, new ideas brings me joy and a deep sense of fulfillment.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Values

What does it mean to have values.

Your values are the beliefs and principles that you believe are important in the way that you live and work.

They (should) determine your priorities, and guide your decisions and the way you act towards others. When the things that you do, and the way that you behave, match your values, life is usually good.

Why Are Personal Values Important?

Understanding your values can really help make life easier and make you happier.

This happens because when you acknowledge your values – and make plans and decisions that honor them – you can use your values to make truly informed decisions about how to live your life.

By understanding the real priorities in your life, you'll be able to determine the best direction for you and meaningful life goals.

Identifying and understanding your values is a challenging and important exercise. Your personal values are a central part of who you are – and who you want to be. By becoming more aware of these important factors in your life, you can use them as a guide to make the best choice in any situation.

Some of life's decisions are really about determining what you value most. When many options seem reasonable, it's helpful and comforting to rely on your values – and use them as a strong guiding force to point you in the right direction.

You've accessed 1 of your 2 free resources.

Get unlimited access

Discover more content

Book Insights

The Way We're Working Isn't Working

By Tony Schwartz, with Jean Gomes and Catherine McCarthy

10 Common Presentation Mistakes

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Your Presentations

Add comment

Comments (6)

tom like lachie

i think i might be pregnant and i am a boy so i am pooing bricks

Naazish Mohsin

Interesting write up where are the references?

I would highly recommend people to try a scientific core values finder assessment instead of informal quizes.

has a good balance.

Donagh Kenny

excellenet resource

over 1 year

Latrece Thomas

I feel that everyone should set high values for themself. Integrity is a value I think 🥰 everyone should honor.

i think i might be pregnant

Gain essential management and leadership skills

Busy schedule? No problem. Learn anytime, anywhere.

Subscribe to unlimited access to meticulously researched, evidence-based resources.

Join today and save on an annual membership!

Sign-up to our newsletter

Subscribing to the Mind Tools newsletter will keep you up-to-date with our latest updates and newest resources.

Subscribe now

Business Skills

Personal Development

Leadership and Management

Member Extras

Discover something new today

How to create psychological safety at work.

Speaking up without fear

How to Guides

Pain Points Podcast - Presentations Pt 1

How do you get better at presenting?

How Emotionally Intelligent Are You?

Boosting Your People Skills

Self-Assessment

What's Your Leadership Style?

Learn About the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Way You Like to Lead

Recommended for you

Seeing the big picture with mind maps.

Exploring ideas from all angles

Animated Video

Business Operations and Process Management

Strategy Tools

Customer Service

Business Ethics and Values

Handling Information and Data

Project Management

Knowledge Management

Self-Development and Goal Setting

Time Management

Presentation Skills

Learning Skills

Career Skills

Communication Skills

Negotiation, Persuasion and Influence

Working With Others

Difficult Conversations

Creativity Tools

Self-Management

Work-Life Balance

Stress Management and Wellbeing

Coaching and Mentoring

Change Management

Team Management

Managing Conflict

Delegation and Empowerment

Performance Management

Leadership Skills

Developing Your Team

Talent Management

Problem Solving

Decision Making

Member Podcast

SUGGESTED TOPICS
The Magazine
Newsletters
Managing Yourself
Managing Teams
Work-life Balance
The Big Idea
Data & Visuals
Reading Lists
Case Selections
HBR Learning
Topic Feeds
Account Settings
Email Preferences

How to Find, Define, and Use Your Values

Irina Cozma

Your values should reflect the most important aspects of your life.

There’s so much power in understanding what your values are — they can help you make decisions, guide your career, and even live a happier life. But how can you think about your values in an intentional way?

Step 1: Find your values. Your values aren’t hiding. Even if you haven’t vocalized them, they’re a reflection of the most important aspects of your life. To identify yours, reflect on what’s important to you, create a list of the top three things, and rank them if you can.
Step 2: Define your values. Write down what each of the values you identified really means to you, and try to keep your definition as short as possible — you want to be able to easily remember your values and how you define them. Ask yourself: If somebody were to wake me in the middle of the night and ask me to define my values, could I answer?
Step 3: Use your values. You’ll know you have identified your values and truly defined them once you find yourself looking at the world around you through the framework of your values. One way to practice using your values is to reflect on a situation that’s frustrating you. Ask yourself: What is lurking behind my frustration? Is one of my values not being met?

What are your values?

Irina Cozma , Ph.D., is a career and executive coach who supports professionals to have better career adventures. She coached hundreds of Fortune 500 executives from global organizations like Salesforce, Hitachi, and Abbott. Irina also coaches startups and the Physicians MBA at the University of Tennessee. Download her free career guide to help you prepare for your next career adventure.

Partner Center

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

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!

20 personal values examples to help you find your own

Jump to section

Personal values 101

20 core value examples, 6 tips for defining your own core values, living by your values, moving forward.

You’re chatting with your manager about an important client deadline. The two of you are deep in conversation and about to hit the sweet spot brainstorming a new strategy.

A coworker interrupts and asks if they can have a moment of your time to solve a quick problem . They launch into their question before you can answer, and you lose your great idea.

“Why couldn’t they wait until I was available?” you think. You value patience and self-control. But your coworker just has another way of working.

Every day, you make judgments based on your values. They inform your behaviors and understanding of right and wrong. They help shape how you think, act, and feel. And ultimately, your values help you find happiness and purpose in life . What you do with your career, personal life, and relationships relies on your values.

Many Americans' most important values are having a happy relationship, living an honest and respectable life, and practicing safety . But yours might differ, and that’s more than okay.

Understanding your own values is a fundamental part of self-awareness and getting to know yourself as a human being. With a better understanding of your values, you can develop more empathy. You might show better emotional regulation . And you might improve your communication skills .

But identifying your values is difficult. It requires deep self-reflection and self-honesty — both of which take hard work. When you’re hustling and bustling daily, taking the time to do this comes at a premium.

Let's dive into some personal values examples to help you reflect on what matters to you.

Before exploring examples, it’s important to establish some core principles of this process. Knowing how values work will help you in your personal development.

What are personal core values?

Personal values are a set of beliefs that differentiate between “good” and “bad” in your community, culture, or society. They form a mindset that defines what you view as the ideal standards of behavior, like patience and honesty.

You probably already have some guiding principles that inform your decision-making , leadership style, and overall disposition in your personal life or the workplace. It’s up to you to identify what those are and verbalize them.

What’s a personal values system?

Your personal values system is the cumulation of all of your personal values. Together, they shape how you interact with the world around you.

Transparency , self-discipline , and trustworthiness may be some core values that make up your personal values system. When faced with difficult conversations or challenging projects, these are the values you lean into. And you may expect the same set of values from your coworkers and friends.

How are personal values formed?

You likely picked up your values from how and where you were raised . As a child, you observe and absorb the behaviors of people around you, such as:

Your parents or primary caregiver

Siblings and other close family members

Your teachers and other authority figures

Your friends

Your community

Religion or spirituality

Cultural expectations

All of these influence how personal values form. As you mature into your whole self , you decide which values you’d like to keep and which ones you’d like to leave behind to build a more fulfilling life.

Why are core personal values important?

Common core values are essential to social cohesion but can also cause conflict or discrimination . One Association for Consumer Research study found that people of culturally diverse backgrounds may be identified by their values with 65% accuracy , meaning that it’s easy to assume what culture they’re from based on their values.

These differences in values might be strong enough to cause conflict if you can’t respect or see the merit in other people’s ways of thinking. That’s why it’s important to communicate your needs and set boundaries so others understand where you’re coming from (and vice versa).

Are personal values permanent?

Although your core values may be fairly stable, it might surprise you to know that your values change and evolve. Personal values are constantly changing as you learn and grow. This is why you should understand your own personal values system and check in with yourself regularly.

Sometimes you hold values that seem right, but you haven’t actually tested them yet. A structured corporate job might make you think you value order and predictability. But after a career change into a more casual work environment, you might realize that values like flexibility, creativity, and boldness of character matter to you far more.

Through self-reflection and self-examination, you might find certain values are holding you back or hurting your relationships. Values around money and status that once seemed compelling may stop being helpful if your career feels like a never-ending race with financial gain as the only goal.

Once you define those values, you can consider whether they still matter to you. You may need to change or reframe them so they’re more helpful and less harmful in your life. Or, if they still hold true, you can change your habits to honor them.

Here’s a list of core values to inspire you. Try to look for them within yourself:

Dependability
Sustainability
Self-respect
Adaptability
Assertiveness
Open-mindedness
Personal growth
Flexibility
Improvement
Self-reliance

father-using-laptop-while-his-son-plays-personal-values-examples

You can see how these might define your behavior or affect life decisions. If you value humility , you’ll be less likely to be flashy about your skills, no matter how talented you actually are.

And if frugality is important to you, you’ll spend money with more intention than someone with different values. None of these traits is worse than another: everyone is different, and that’s the beauty of individuality.

Here’s how you can start identifying values in your own life. Open a document or pull out a notebook and try the following exercises to find what matters to you.

1. Think of the most meaningful moments in your life

What made those important moments meaningful to you? Who did you share them with? You can define “meaningful” however you like, but it usually encompasses moments where you were at peace and filled with purpose .

Parents experience this during their child’s birth, first steps, and first words. You might experience it at work when you’re using your skills to do something important that brings the company value. Or you might feel this way with an old colleague when you’re helping them through a rough career path and know your advice resonates.

As you list your meaningful moments, a theme should emerge. Connect the dots to reveal your core values.

2. Think of the moments you felt the least satisfied

This is similar to the first exercise. But this time, try to imagine the opposite. What were some of your worst life experiences? Why do they weigh so heavily on you? How were other people behaving toward you?

You might feel unfulfilled at work if the organization’s mission statement doesn’t match your sense of purpose. It’s the same story when spotting red flags in a relationship .

Mismatched values might leave you feeling unsatisfied, and they don’t necessarily have to be “bad values” like dishonesty or vanity. You'll feel stifled if your boss prefers routine but you enjoy innovation .

woman-sitting-on-bed-discouraged-personal-values-examples

3. Pay attention to what stories inspire you

When you read the news or browse your library, see if any articles or books catch your attention. Look for people whose behavior you admire or respect. Consider why their stories speak to you and what that says about your sense of self.

4. Figure out what makes you angry

You can learn a lot about your values by paying attention to what irritates you. Maybe a colleague rubs you the wrong way, a coworker upset you, or you found a task frustrating. Your feelings might be rooted in a contradiction of your values. If communication matters to you, a lack of it will make you angry.

5. Imagine your ideal environment

Think about your workplace. If you could reshape the company culture , what would it look like? Think of the employee benefits you’d provide (or not), how coworkers would treat each other, and how people might spend their time. Chances are, your choices will reflect the values you want to see in all areas of your life.

6. Review the accomplishments you’re most proud of

You’ve done a lot of things in your life. Think of the ones that fill you with pride. What did you do? What was the impact? Why those accomplishments and not others?

You might see some overlap with your most meaningful moments here. Was an important promotion one of the best days of your life? Is that more important than a great day with your friends? What does that tell you?

It’s good to understand your values, but they mean nothing without action. Here are some tips that will help you live with more authenticity.

1. Create a list of priority values

Not all values are equal, and some might even conflict with each other. You’ll have to think of which ones are most important to you.

Make a list of your top values. If you’re stuck between two, imagine a situation where you could only satisfy one of them. Think about which one you would choose and why.

man-reviewing-projects-personal-values-examples

Here’s an example you might find in your professional life.

Imagine a coworker is proud of a presentation they worked on for weeks, but it lacks clarity, organization, and key points. Your top two values are honesty and kindness.

Do you give your colleague some unsolicited constructive feedback and risk bruising their ego ? Or do you keep it to yourself, sacrificing your honesty? Sometimes, being honest is being kind in itself, but the situation gets murky when you don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings.

2. Use your values to set goals

Your values should inform your 5-year plan and vision statement . Consider the following question: what do you have to change to better live by your values? This question can help you with short and long-term goal setting .

If you value cooperation, you might look for a job that focuses on teamwork. If you value learning, you can enroll in night classes to earn additional qualifications.

3. Allow for exceptions

Values are your ideal vision for the world, but sometimes they conflict with reality. To mitigate this, think of circumstances where it’s acceptable to compromise. You can value loyalty to your job unless your boss oversteps your work-life balance . You don’t have to be rigid if that causes negative consequences.

4. Strengthen your values with good habits

It’s easy to lose track of your values when you’re busy with daily life. Here are some habits that can help you when you don’t have much free time :

Write down a personal value statement

Reinforce your values into a journaling practice

Read them aloud during regular manifestation

Print out your values and keep them with you

Place them somewhere visible like your bathroom mirror

woman-reading-book-in-the-morning-personal-values-examples

These small day-to-day tasks will help you live a life that adheres to your values. And if you accidentally stray, analyze the situation after. Ask yourself what you could have done differently and why you made the decision you did.

5. Practice Inner Work®️

Inner Work®️ is about exploring and connecting your internal self to the world around you. This means making the changes necessary to live your values every day.

It can also mean recognizing when some values don’t serve you anymore. After some self-reflection, you might find that your attitudes do more harm than good. Inner Work®️ recognizes that and helps you find the courage and motivation to make the daily changes that will help you live with more clarity, purpose, and passion.

Now you’ll know why it irks you so much next time someone interrupts you or tells a white lie. People with mismatching values are at best frustrating, and at worst emotional vampires . The same is true for other aspects of your life.

Reviewing common personal value examples can help you get in touch with yourself and align with like-minded people.

When you live by your values, you’ll notice that things will feel easier. It’ll improve your emotional health by helping you feel more at peace. Plus, you’ll unlock your potential , knowing you’re living in a way that’s authentic to you.

Unlock your potential

Explore our coaching to deeply understand your values and align your life for success

Mikayla Balk

Mikayla Balk is a content writer focusing on emotional wellness and mental health. She’s previously written for True. Women’s Health and Behavioral Health of New York. Her passions include mental health advocacy, travel, animals, and nature photography. Mikayla holds a B.A. in Writing and Philosophy from Grand Valley State University.

Belief or value? Learn the difference and set yourself free

How to instill family values that align with your own, how are personal values formed discover the joy of a life aligned, how spiritual wellness unlocks creativity and resourcefulness, the meaning of personal values and how they impact your life, key values in a relationship: why are they important, 45 company core values examples and steps to identify yours, how to spend quality time with family (even when you’re busy), developing psychological flexibility, similar articles, personal goals that work: 20 examples to get started, the best teams hold each other accountable: examples of how it works, self-knowledge examples that will help you upgrade to you 2.0, 8 ethical values every professional should adopt, journal your way to the future you want, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

3100 E 5th Street, Suite 350 Austin, TX 78702

Platform Overview
Integrations
Powered by AI
BetterUp Lead™
BetterUp Manage™
BetterUp Care®
Sales Performance
Diversity & Inclusion
Case Studies
Why BetterUp?
About Coaching
Find your Coach
Career Coaching
Communication Coaching
Life Coaching
News and Press
Leadership Team
Become a BetterUp Coach
BetterUp Labs
Center for Purpose & Performance
Leadership Training
Business Coaching
Contact Support
Contact Sales
Privacy Policy
Acceptable Use Policy
Trust & Security
Cookie Preferences

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

2 Defining My Personal Values

Donnette Noble & Jeni McRay

INTRODUCTION

What beliefs are important to you? What are the values that help to define who you are and impact what you think, how you act, and how you feel? These are questions that may seem simple to answer, but further study reveals that our values are driving factors in how we choose to live, learn, and lead. This chapter will examine what values are, how they develop, how they are used in decision-making, and how they impact our relationships, vocation, and other parts of our life.

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to…

define what values are and how they are formed.
identify your current personal values.
distinguish some of the cultural and/or social considerations that impact your values.
understand how to leverage your values to drive positive change.

KEYWORDS: Beliefs, ideals, ethics, morals, alignment, values

Our values guide, motivate, and influence our attitudes and behaviors (Boer & Fischer, 2013). Values encompass our beliefs and ideals, and those are based on the things we learn from others – parents, peers, schools, faith-based communities, government, media, etc. (Fritz et al., 2005). Beliefs (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) are a state of mind or habits wherein trust or confidence is placed in a person or a thing; they are things that are accepted and considered to be true. Ideals (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) are standards or expectations of goals to achieve or models to emulate. Just like values, beliefs, and ideals will differ among people. See Figure 1 for examples of values.

Figure 1 | Values Word Cloud

Quite simply, values are individually internalized attitudes about what is right, wrong, ethical, unethical, moral, and immoral. Values can influence our perceptions of problems, our preferences, and the choices we make related to our behavior. Examples of values include fairness, justice, honesty, freedom, equality, altruism, loyalty, and civility (Yukl, 2013). Values exist at the individual level, societal or communal level, national level, and within all types of organizations.

Values are not necessarily static, however, and can fluctuate over time when new information is made available, a new experience unfolds, or some new understanding reveals itself. Value systems will also vary, sometimes quite dramatically, from culture to culture and even among the various subcultures within a given country or region.

Our values frame how we view the world around us. This chapter addresses the individual beliefs that serve to motivate people to think and behave in certain ways. It also examines what influences people, shapes their values, and considers the conundrum of competing values as well as how and why values might shift over time. Furthermore, this chapter will present a clear distinction between ethics (studying the societal standards of right and wrong, a legal and codified set of agreed-upon behaviors) and morals (individual principles related to right and wrong). There should be congruence among our values, decision-making, approaches to leadership, and intentions. This chapter also shines a “spotlight” on a convicted felon who thought he held strong and ethical values, yet he participated in one of the biggest corporate fraud cases in United States (U.S.) history.

CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT

In 2000, Andrew Fastow, the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Enron, was named CFO of the Year by CFO Magazine , but “This is my actual trophy,” he later told the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) as he held up his prison ID card (Coonan, 2016). “Every inmate in the federal system is supposed to carry this at all times,” explained Fastow (Coonan, 2016, para. 4). Here’s the interesting thing—he received both the award and the prison card in the same year. How do you become CFO of the Year at the same time that you are committing one of the biggest frauds in the history of corporate America?

In 1985, after the Federal Government deregulated natural gas pipelines, two companies (Houston Natural Gas and InterNorth) merged to form Enron. During the merger process, Enron incurred massive debt, but because of the deregulation of the industry, the company did not have exclusive rights to pipelines. This caused some problems for the company. For Enron to survive, it had to come up with a new and innovative strategy to generate profits and ensure a steady cash flow (Thomas, 2002). The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) hired a global management firm to develop a new strategy. The firm assigned Jeffrey Skilling, an experienced consultant, to take the lead in designing a revolutionary solution. Skilling quickly rose through Enron’s corporate ranks, and ultimately tapped Fastow to be a part of the team.

It was Fastow who was the real “mastermind behind a supremely complex network of off-balance-sheet special purpose entities and shell companies [that were] used to conceal years of massive losses [that were] leveraged on Enron stock” (Coonan, 2016, para. 6). Fastow was a genius in finding business management workarounds and tax loopholes, and all of the maneuvering he choreographed “was approved by the accountants at Enron, the outside auditors, the internal attorneys, the outside attorneys and the board of directors” (Coonan, 2016, para. 8).

Throughout the spring and summer of 2001, the risky deals Enron had made in terms of its underperforming investments began to unravel and caused the company to suffer a huge cash shortfall (Thomas, 2002) that ultimately led to its spectacular collapse when $1 billion in employee retirement funds and 5,000 jobs were wiped out overnight (Flanagan, 2020).

Prior to the collapse, Fastow considered himself to be a hero of sorts (Flanagan, 2020), but, in the end, he served six years in prison for his part in the fraud (a reduced sentence for providing evidence against his colleagues). Skilling (the CEO) served 12 years, and the Chairman of the Board (Ken Lay) died while awaiting his sentencing. Fastow, with the tacit approval of others, followed the rules but compromised values and hurt a lot of people in the process.

“For many organizations, values are a social glue” (Manning & Curtis, 2009, p. 105). Values are used to create a sense of corporate identity, and they can foster greater cohesion. They can also be relied upon to increase effective decision-making: “To be meaningful, values must enter into the daily practice of the organization [and] reflect enduring commitments, not vague and empty platitudes” (p. 105). When it came to Enron, the company’s core values of communication, respect, integrity, and excellence (Enron, 2000) were shrouded in hypocrisy.

As you reflect on this case study, can you think of other situations where people “followed the rules but compromised values”? Can you think of a situation where you have “followed the rules” but still compromised your own values?

“For millennia, philosophers, sociologists, psychologists, and others have tried to figure out just exactly what values are” (Sharma, 2015, p. 42). The word, values , comes from the Latin “valeo” which means to be strong (Sharma, 2015). According to Halstead and Taylor (2000), values can be broadly defined as the principles or fundamental convictions which serve as general guides to human behavior and the related actions are then judged as good or desirable (or not). They can also be considered “abstract ideals” as they relate to people’s behavior (Hanel et al., 2018, p. 1).

In the 1930s, a psychologist, Gordon Allport (1937), created a list of values, or what he thought were easily recognized consistencies, that tend to define and support a person’s unique path in life (Sharma, 2015). The first of Allport’s values or consistencies is theoretical and encompasses the pursuit of truth and objectivity (something we’ve heard a lot about in the last couple of years but more about that later in the chapter). The second one, economic , is all about usefulness and practicality. The third is aesthetic, which focuses on harmony and beauty. The next is social, which is centered on love and compassion for people. Then there is political value which hinges on power, and finally , religious value which is defined by unity or moral excellence (Tsirogianni & Gaskell, 2011).

Each person is in possession of any number of values, and those values are tied to varying degrees of importance (Schwartz, 2012). For example, a value that may be critically important to one person may not be at all important to someone else. Relying on the works of many theorists over the years (Allport, 1961; Feather, 1995; Kluckhohn, 1951; Morris, 1956; & Rokeach, 1973), Schwartz (2012) contends there are six main features to values (pp. 3-4); (see Table 1).

Table 1 | What are Values?

This image includes various definitions of values.

Defining Values

Social values are the standards that influence the judgments we have about ourselves and others, and they impress upon us what is important as we pursue our individual purpose in life; thus, they are also closely tied to our self-conception. As we endeavor to make value-enhancing choices across the different domains of our lives, we find that our values contribute to our sense of self-worth and efficacy (Tsirogianni & Gaskell, 2011). Values are used to characterize cultural groups, societies, and individuals. Additionally, they are used to trace personal changes over time and can explain the motivational bases of attitudes and behaviors (Schwartz, 2012).

The early years of a child’s life are often completely dependent on their parents: “Parents are a child’s first and most significant shapers of character” (MacElroy, 2003, para. 3). As we grow older, we develop our morals and values, not only based on parental influence but also on the influence from peers. As young people leave home and transition to college, more people come into their lives who play a part in shaping their sense of self (MacElroy, 2003). These new relationships, increased freedom, and more latitude in decision-making can result in shifts or challenges to previously held values.

Values have contextual relevance, and some may cross into different domains while others may not. Personal values related to self may include education, academic accomplishments, physical fitness, self-respect and esteem, responsibility, creativity, wealth, social status, or humor. Relationship values are comprised of concepts such as family, friends, love, loyalty, camaraderie, harmony, and diversity of perspectives. Justice, recognition, opportunities, expertise, and goal achievement are considered vocational values. Spiritual values may address forgiveness, reflection, integrity, wisdom, inner peace, and optimism.

One mechanism to help students assess their own values is adapted from the BCJ Institute for Learning and Development (See Figure 2).

Figure 2 | Values Wheel

This image depicts a wheel divided into three sections which represent professional, personal, and community.

When people take time to examine their values and think about what is important to them and why, they are more prepared to meet life’s challenges. Having a strong sense of values helps to create a road map that helps them to figure out things such as (BCJ, nd):

What are their goals and how will they get there?
What should be prioritized in life?
How do they want to behave in certain situations?
What is the best course of action when making decisions?
What would they like their legacy to be?

There are, however, situations when people find themselves not living in accordance with their values, and this misalignment can create stress, anger, or anxiety and conjure up other negative emotions. Additionally, a lack of alignment can lead to poor or even unethical decision-making. This is why consistency among our values, thoughts, and actions is so critically important. Additionally, when we are living in alignment with our values, we are more resilient and better equipped to address difficulties that will inevitably arise over time.

Values Assessment

Begin this activity by dividing a piece of paper into three columns and label the columns, Personal, Professional, and Community. Under each of the three headings, make a list of values that are important to you personally, professionally, and in terms of community. For example, when it comes to personal values, love and kindness may be important to you. Professionally you might value transparency or integrity. When it comes to community you may value justice or safety. If you need help getting started, click this link for a list of 305 values.

Once you have developed a meaningful list of values, go back through the list and place a star by the five most important values in each of the three categories. For the purpose of this exercise, we will refer to these as your core values.

Next, prioritize each of your five core values from each section and plot them by drawing the diagram from Figure 2 on a sheet of paper and placing the values in the appropriate category. The most important of the five core values from each list will be closest to the center of the diagram, whereas the values with lesser priority will be toward the periphery of the diagram in each section. Now you have the start of a personalized road map that will aid in helping you maintain consistency in your values, thoughts, and actions in three distinct spaces of your life – personal, professional, and community.

Be ready to discuss your values in each category with the class.

As you think about the motivational bases of attitudes and behaviors, consider what has happened since January 2020. The world has collectively lived with the COVID-19 pandemic, an experience that forced people to reevaluate what is important to them. People have had to reassess what they value and how those values affect their decisions in terms of living through unprecedented circumstances. The U.S. comprises less than 5% of the global population

(Whelan, 2020), yet leads the world in the total number of reported COVID cases (77,956,627) as well as reported deaths (923,110) as of February 15, 2022 ( John Hopkins, 2021 ). These figures have required that people reflect on the role of science in their lives, in addition to considering how mask mandates, social restrictions, and the availability of COVID vaccines impact their values, if at all. This raises one conundrum after another for thoughtful individuals who are trying to sift through the noise to find answers. For instance, do personal liberty and freedom (individual values) take precedence over the greater good of public health concerns (collective values)? The answers lie within the beliefs, ideals, and values each person holds.

Leadership, Values, and Change

There are many facets to power, and it can be exerted for good or ill. A leader’s personal values and internal code of ethics may be among the most important determinants in terms of how a leader will exercise power (Hughes et al., 2015). Leaders will undoubtedly be faced with challenges time and again, and those challenges often lack simplistic answers. The key is doing what is right and not just what is expedient. This is where authentic leadership comes into play: “authentic leaders exhibit consistency among their values, their beliefs, and their actions” (p. 166), and “honesty, altruism, kindness, fairness, accountability, and optimism” have been identified as core values of authentic leaders (Yukl, 2013, p. 351). The tenets of altruism, fairness, and accountability can be significant drivers of social change.

The basic values we hold dear are those that help us set our course for action as responsible individuals and community members who are concerned with protecting our democratic society. Indeed, the Social Change Model (HERI, 1996) hinges entirely on values with an expectation that leadership will be inclusive. Leadership is a process and not a position, and it explicitly promotes additional values of equity, social justice, self-knowledge, personal empowerment, collaboration, citizenship, and service (Noble & Kniffin, 2021).

The year 2020 was rife with racial and social tensions in the United States. The calls for social justice were amplified after George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis:

Floyd’s death sent a nation of people in quarantine out into the streets in mass protests. Major corporations issued statements in support of Black Lives Matter. Politicians promised a new direction. Years later, some activists argue there is still more work to be done to reach equity and social justice for Black and brown people (Gunderson, 2021, para. 2 – 3).

The Black Lives Matter movement is demonstrative of how racial and social tensions have the power to divide a society based on differing values systems. There is a delicate balancing act that must take place between individual values and those that are important to others. To bridge the gap that these differences create, we must use empathy to better understand the values behind differing opinions. By taking time to understand the values of others, we can identify ways to better engage with others.

Value Systems, Alignment, and Change

One of the national values of the U.S. is explicitly stated in what was considered its defacto motto until 1956, E Pluribus Unum , meaning “from the many, one” (B., 2011). It is a testament to the fact that, from its beginning, the U.S. has been a pluralistic society where different races, ethnicities, religions, traditions, and languages have converged to co-create and share a common national experience; however, the persistence of deep differences among the people residing in the United States raises the corollary challenge of how to maintain at least a basic level of social cohesion and solidarity when in fact, those “deep differences” (Hoover, 2016, p. 26) very often result in competing value systems. While some differences are accommodated, “Peaceful, constructive pluralism doesn’t “just happen.” It requires leadership, both from the top-down (government) and the bottom-up (civil society). Social flourishing becomes sustainable, even under conditions of deepening diversity, when all stakeholders develop reserves of commitment…” (Hoover, 2016, p. 27) to supporting one another and honoring the differences among us – including the ebb and flow of our fluctuating values.

Adding layers to the complexity of competing values are disparate views of both morals and ethics. While the terms are often interchanged, they are not necessarily the same thing. Both words refer to some form of proper conduct (Rosenstand, 1997). Morals address customs or habits, whereas ethics (or moral philosophy) is the study of moral judgments about what is virtuous (or not), just or unjust, right or wrong, good or bad or evil (Moore & Bruder, 2008).

While personality traits are relatively stable throughout one’s life, values are characteristic adaptations and motivational goals that can change as a function of developmental priorities at different ages and stages of one’s life (Gouveia et al., 2015). Schwartz (2012) proffers that there are three systematic sources of age-related differences that can result in shifts in values. These shifts can occur in response to a person’s changing roles associated with their stage in life (this is the first of the systematic sources of changing values). Some of the values of a young, relatively unencumbered, traditional-aged college student likely differ rather significantly when compared to those of a mid-career professional with a partner or spouse and children to raise. The second systematic source of shifts in values is the result of physiological or biological changes – changes in maturity and/or abilities which could include declines in energy and sharpness of the senses. Finally, changes in values can result from societal changes, including democratization and political and economic stability (Gouveia et al., 2015).

Broadly speaking, Brown (2012) suggests there are two buckets that people will put their values into – the practiced values bucket (what we are actually doing, thinking, and feeling) and the aspirational values bucket ( what we want to do, think, and feel). The difference between what is practiced and what is aspirational results in a values gap. Brown (2012) contends that disengagement is inevitable when practiced values conflict with aspirational values and expectations within a culture. Disengagement (detaching, releasing, disconnecting, or withdrawing from someone or something) is the issue underlying the majority of problems that exist in families, schools, communities, and organizations. We must, therefore, mind the gap and stay focused to ensure that our values are aligned and match our actions (Brown, 2012).

Values are messy and complex: “Thinking about [them] is not a luxury; you live them every day of your life. Your values show in the way you treat your friends, enemies, [and others], and they determine your politics, ethics, emotions, daydreams, life, and leisure” (Halberstam, 1993, p.

186). The way we engage our values and how they drive our lives is a lifelong process. What kind of a leader you are will be reflected in how you handle the challenges surrounding your beliefs, ideals, and values – particularly when they collide.

QUESTIONS FOR JOURNALING OR DISCUSSION

If you are involved in or have completed a service-learning project this semester, identify some of the organizational values you observed. If you haven’t participated in a service-learning project before, identify some of the values you’ve observed in an organization that you have been a client or customer of (either non-profit or for-profit).
How do the values you observed in the situations described above align with your own values (if they do)?
If the values you observed are different from your own, what things do you think contributed to those differences?
When you think of social change, what issues are important to you and which of your values are congruent with those issues?
Think about a time when you had to work through a difficult situation where two or more of your values were in conflict. How did that make you feel and how did you resolve the situation?

Cave Rescue

Read the following Scenario about a caving accident. After reading the scenario, carefully complete the steps that follow in order. Please do not skip any steps in this process.

Your group is asked to take the role of a research management committee that is funding projects into human behavior in confined spaces. You have been called to an emergency meeting as one of the experiments has run into an emergency situation.

Six volunteers have been taken into a cave system in a remote part of the country connected only by a radio link to the research hut by the cave entrance. It was intended that the volunteers would spend four days underground, but they have been trapped by falling rocks and rising water.

The only rescue team available tells you that rescue will be extremely difficult, and only one person can be brought out each hour with the equipment at their disposal. It is likely that the rapidly rising water will drown some of the volunteers before rescue can be completed.

The volunteers are aware of the dangers of their plight. They have contacted the research hut using the radio link and said that they are unwilling to make a decision regarding the order in which they will be rescued. By the terms of the research project, the responsibility for making this decision now rests with your committee.

Life-saving equipment will arrive in 50 minutes at the cave entrance, and you will need to advise the team of the order for rescue by completing the ranking sheet provided below. The only information you have available is drawn from the project files and is reproduced on the volunteer personal details sheet that can be found below. You may use any criteria you think fit to help you make a decision.

This is a handout that will be distributed by instructors for the activity.

Individually, use a ranking sheet (see sample below) to indicate the order the volunteers should be extracted from the cave. Write your answers in the left-hand column. You have 10 minutes to do this.
Working in your groups, discuss the order in which each of you believes each of the volunteers should be removed from the cave. Work to arrive at a group decision by sharing your reasons or criteria and working to develop criteria the group can agree to. Use the right-hand column to record the group consensus.
Collectively, use a group ranking sheet (see example below) to present the order of extraction from the cave. Share with the class the order of extraction your group arrived at and the issues and values that were discussed in arriving at your decisions.

Cave Rescue Ranking Sheet

Did your group establish a decision-making criterion? If so, what was it?
Was consensus reached? If not, what criteria did you use to make your decisions?
Did everyone feel their point of view was heard and considered by all other team members? Why or why not?
Was anyone unhappy with the outcome? Why?
What could other team members have done to listen and support each other?
What emotions or feelings did you have that affected your ability to make decisions in this activity? What would you have recommended to the research team if this were a real activity?

Allport, G. W. (1937). Personality: A psychological interpretation . Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

Allport, G. W. (1961). Pattern and growth in personality. Holt, Reinhart & Winston.

Berkeley Well-Being Institute. Printable List of Values. https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/uploads/1/9/4/8/19481349/printable-list-of-values.pdf

B. J. (2011). Change the motto of the United States of America to “E Pluribus Unum.” We the People . https://petitions.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/petition/change-motto-united-states-america-e-pluribus-unum/

BJC Institute for Learning and Development (n.d.). Clarifying your values. https://www.bjclearn.org/resiliency/PDFs/001103.pdf

Boer, D., & Fischer, R. (2013). How and when do personal value guide our attitudes and sociality? Explaining cross-cultural variability in attitude-value linkages. Psychological Bulletin , 139 (5), 1113–1147. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031347

Brown, B. (2012). Daring greatly: How the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent, and lead. Avery.

Coonan, C. (2016, January 6). Former Enron CFO Andrew Fastow: You can follow all the rules and still commit fraud. The Irish Times . https://www.irishtimes.com/business/companies/former-enron-cfo-andrew-fastow-you-%20can-follow-all-the-rules-and-still-commit-fraud-1.2485821

Enron. (2000). Enron annual report. https://picker.uchicago.edu/Enron/EnronAnnualReport2000.pdf

Feather, N. T. (1995). Values, valences, and choice: The influences of values on the perceived attractiveness and choice of alternatives. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68 (6), 1135–1151. https://doi-org.libproxy.unl.edu/10.1037/0022-3514.68.6.1135

Flanagan, P. (2020, January 9). Enron’s former CFO Andrew Fastow once saw himself as ‘a hero.’ Chron. https://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Andrew-Fastow-Who-Helped-Bring-Down-Enron-Saw-14962065.php

Fritz, S., Brown, W. F., Povlacs Lunde, J., & Banset, E. A. (2005). Interpersonal skills for leadership (2nd ed.). Pearson.

Gouveia, V. V., Vione, K., Milfont, T. L., & Fischer, R. (2015). Patterns of value change during the life span: Some evidence from a functional approach to values. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 4 (9), 1276–1290. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167215594189

Gunderson, E. (2021). Social Justice Organizations Reflect on 2020 as Floyd Anniversary Nears . WTTW News. Retrieved January 15, 2023, from https://news.wttw.com/2021/05/23/social-justice-organizations-reflect-2020-floyd-anniversary-nears

Halberstam, J. (1993). Everyday ethics: Inspired solutions to real-life dilemmas . Viking/Penguin Books.

Halstead, J. M., & Taylor, M. J. (2000). Learning and teaching about values: A review of recent research. Cambridge Journal of Education, 30 (2), 169–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/713657146

Hanel, P.H.P., Litzellachner, L .F., & Maio, G. R. (2018). An empirical comparison of human value models. Frontiers in Psychology , 9 , 1643. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01643

Higher Education Research Institute. (1996). A Social Change Model of Leadership Development (Version III). UCLA. https://www.heri.ucla.edu/PDFs/pubs/ASocialChangeModelofLeadershipDevelopment.pdf

Hoover, D. R. (2016). Pluralist responses to pluralist realities in the United States. Society , 53 (1), 20–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-015-9967-2

Hughes, R. L., Ginnett, R. C., & Curphy, G. J., (2015). Leadership: Enhancing the lessons of experience (8th ed.). McGraw Hill.

John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. (2022). COVID-19 dashboard. https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Kluckhohn, C. (1951). Values and value-orientations in the theory of action: An exploration in definition and classification. In G. W. Allport, C. Kluckhohn, H. A. Murray, R. R. Sears, R. C. Sheldon, S. A. Stouffer, & E. C. Tolman (Eds.), Toward a General Theory of Action (pp. 388–433). Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674863507.c8

MacElroy, M. (2003). Educating for character: Teaching values in the college environment. The Vermont Connection , 24 (1). https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/tvc/vol24/iss1/3

Manning, G., & Curtis, K. (2009). The art of leadership (3rd ed.). McGraw Hill.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Belief. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved June 20, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belief

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Ideal. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved June 20, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideal

Moore, B. N., & Bruder, K. (2008). Philosophy: The power of ideas (7th ed.). McGraw Hill.

Morris, C. (1956). Varieties of human value . University of Chicago Press.

Noble, D., & Kniffin, L. E. (2021). Building sustainable civic learning and democratic engagement goals for the future. New Directions for Higher Education , 2021 (195–196), 171–179. https://doi.org/10.1002/he.20421

Rokeach, M. (1973). The nature of human values. Free Press.

Rosenstand, N. (1997). The moral of the story: An introduction to ethics (2nd ed.). Mayfield Publishing.

Schwartz, S.H. (2012) An overview of the Schwartz theory of basic values. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture , 2 (1). https://doi.org/10.9707/2307- 0919.1116

Sharma, K. (2015). A comparative study of aesthetic, economic, and political values of undergraduate students. The International Journal of Indian Psychology , 2 (2), 42–55. https://doi.org/10.25215/0202.008

Thomas, C. W. (2002). The rise and fall of Enron: When a company looks too good to be true, it usually is. Journal of Accountancy . https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2002/apr/theriseandfallofenron.html

Tsirogianni, S., & Gaskell, G. (2011). The role of plurality and context in social values. Journal for the Theory of Social Behavior. 41 (4), 441–465. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5914.2011.00470.x

Whelan, N. (2020). Countries by percentage of world population. World atlas . https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-by-percentage-of-world-population.html

Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in organizations (8th ed.). Pearson.

Developing Human Potential Copyright © 2023 by Gina S. Matkin, Jason Headrick, Hannah M. Sunderman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Essays About Values: 5 Essay Examples Plus 10 Prompts

Similar to how our values guide us, let this guide with essays about values and writing prompts help you write your essay.

Values are the core principles that guide the actions we take and the choices we make. They are the cornerstones of our identity. On a community or organizational level, values are the moral code that every member must embrace to live harmoniously and work together towards shared goals.

We acquire our values from different sources such as parents, mentors, friends, cultures, and experiences. All of these build on one another — some rejected as we see fit — for us to form our perception of our values and what will lead us to a happy and fulfilled life.

5 Essay Examples

1. what today’s classrooms can learn from ancient cultures by linda flanagan, 2. stand out to your hiring panel with a personal value statement by maggie wooll, 3. make your values mean something by patrick m. lencioni, 4. how greed outstripped need by beth azar, 5. a shift in american family values is fueling estrangement by joshua coleman, 1. my core values, 2. how my upbringing shaped my values, 3. values of today’s youth, 4. values of a good friend, 5. an experience that shaped your values, 6. remembering our values when innovating, 7. important values of school culture, 8. books that influenced your values, 9. religious faith and moral values, 10. schwartz’s theory of basic values.

“Connectedness is another core value among Maya families, and teachers seek to cultivate it… While many American teachers also value relationships with their students, that effort is undermined by the competitive environment seen in many Western classrooms.”

Ancient communities keep their traditions and values of a hands-off approach to raising their kids. They also preserve their hunter-gatherer mindsets and others that help their kids gain patience, initiative, a sense of connectedness, and other qualities that make a helpful child.

“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.”

Want to rise above other candidates in the jobs market? Then always highlight your value statement. A personal value statement should be short but still, capture the aspirations and values of the company. The essay provides an example of a captivating value statement and tips for crafting one.

“Values can set a company apart from the competition by clarifying its identity and serving as a rallying point for employees. But coming up with strong values—and sticking to them—requires real guts.”

Along with the mission and vision, clear values should dictate a company’s strategic goals. However, several CEOs still needed help to grasp organizational values fully. The essay offers a direction in setting these values and impresses on readers the necessity to preserve them at all costs.

“‘He compared the values held by people in countries with more competitive forms of capitalism with the values of folks in countries that have a more cooperative style of capitalism… These countries rely more on strategic cooperation… rather than relying mostly on free-market competition as the United States does.”

The form of capitalism we have created today has shaped our high value for material happiness. In this process, psychologists said we have allowed our moral and ethical values to drift away from us for greed to take over. You can also check out these essays about utopia .

“From the adult child’s perspective, there might be much to gain from an estrangement: the liberation from those perceived as hurtful or oppressive, the claiming of authority in a relationship, and the sense of control over which people to keep in one’s life. For the mother or father, there is little benefit when their child cuts off contact.”

It is most challenging when the bonds between parent and child weaken in later years. Psychologists have been navigating this problem among modern families, which is not an easy conflict to resolve. It requires both parties to give their best in humbling themselves and understanding their loved ones, no matter how divergent their values are.

10 Writing Prompts On Essays About Values

For this topic prompt, contemplate your non-negotiable core values and why you strive to observe them at all costs. For example, you might value honesty and integrity above all else. Expound on why cultivating fundamental values leads to a happy and meaningful life. Finally, ponder other values you would like to gain for your future self. Write down how you have been practicing to adopt these aspired values.

Essays About Values: How my upbringing shaped my values

Many of our values may have been instilled in us during childhood. This essay discusses the essential values you gained from your parents or teachers while growing up. Expound on their importance in helping you flourish in your adult years. Then, offer recommendations on what households, schools, or communities can do to ensure that more young people adopt these values.

Is today’s youth lacking essential values, or is there simply a shift in what values generations uphold? Strive to answer this and write down the healthy values that are emerging and dying. Then think of ways society can preserve healthy values while doing away with bad ones. Of course, this change will always start at home, so also encourage parents, as role models, to be mindful of their words, actions and behavior.

The greatest gift in life is friendship. In this essay, enumerate the top values a friend should have. You may use your best friend as an example. Then, cite the best traits your best friend has that have influenced you to be a better version of yourself. Finally, expound on how these values can effectively sustain a healthy friendship in the long term.

We all have that one defining experience that has forever changed how we see life and the values we hold dear. Describe yours through storytelling with the help of our storytelling guide . This experience may involve a decision, a conversation you had with someone, or a speech you heard at an event.

With today’s innovation, scientists can make positive changes happen. But can we truly exercise our values when we fiddle with new technologies whose full extent of positive and adverse effects we do not yet understand such as AI? Contemplate this question and look into existing regulations on how we curb the creation or use of technologies that go against our values. Finally, assess these rules’ effectiveness and other options society has.

Essays About Values: Important values of school culture

Highlight a school’s role in honing a person’s values. Then, look into the different aspects of your school’s culture. Identify which best practices distinct in your school are helping students develop their values. You could consider whether your teachers exhibit themselves as admirable role models or specific parts of the curriculum that help you build good character.

In this essay, recommend your readers to pick up your favorite books, particularly those that served as pathways to enlightening insights and values. To start, provide a summary of the book’s story. It would be better if you could do so without revealing too much to avoid spoiling your readers’ experience. Then, elaborate on how you have applied the values you learned from the book.

For many, religious faith is the underlying reason for their values. For this prompt, explore further the inextricable links between religion and values. If you identify with a certain religion, share your thoughts on the values your sector subscribes to. You can also tread the more controversial path on the conflicts of religious values with socially accepted beliefs or practices, such as abortion.

Dive deeper into the ten universal values that social psychologist Shalom Schwartz came up with: power, achievement, hedonism, stimulation, self-direction, universalism, benevolence, tradition, conformity, and security. Look into their connections and conflicts against each other. Then, pick your favorite value and explain how you relate to it the most. Also, find if value conflicts within you, as theorized by Schwartz.

Make sure to check out our round-up of the best essay checkers . If you want to use the latest grammar software, read our guide on using an AI grammar checker .

Yna Lim is a communications specialist currently focused on policy advocacy. In her eight years of writing, she has been exposed to a variety of topics, including cryptocurrency, web hosting, agriculture, marketing, intellectual property, data privacy and international trade. A former journalist in one of the top business papers in the Philippines, Yna is currently pursuing her master's degree in economics and business.

View all posts

209+ Personal Values A-Z (Definition + Examples)

Imagine a compass that guides our thoughts, decisions, and actions; that's what personal values are like for each one of us.

Personal values are deep-seated beliefs and principles that influence our choices, shape our behaviors, and provide a framework for understanding our place in the world. Whether we're aware of them or not, our values play a vital role in determining the course of our lives.

From shaping our personal relationships to guiding our professional aspirations, they act as invisible threads weaving the tapestry of our experiences.

In this article, we'll delve deep into the realm of personal values, exploring their psychological underpinnings, the difference between collective and individual values, and even debates surrounding their nature.

Plus, we'll provide a comprehensive list of personal values examples for those curious about identifying and reflecting on their own core beliefs.

The Psychology of Values

When psychologists talk about values, they mean the things that are super important to us—kind of like our invisible rulebook.

Let's say you really care about honesty; that means you're more likely to tell the truth, even when it's hard. So, in psychology, a value isn't just some idea; it's like a guiding star that helps us make choices in our lives.

These values could be things like love, respect, or courage. Each of these shapes the way we act, what we say, and even what we think about in our free time.

But values aren't just single words or simple ideas; they're more complex.

For example, if you value "family," that might mean you spend a lot of time with your relatives, or it might mean you're working hard to give them a better life.

Each person's value has its unique flavor, like ice cream! You and your friend might both love ice cream, but you might like chocolate, and they might prefer vanilla. It's the same with values. We might share similar values but interpret them in our own special way.

Why Values Matter

You might be wondering, "Why should I even care about values?" Well, values are like the GPS in our brain that helps us make decisions. Think about when you have to choose between doing your homework and hanging out with friends. Your values guide you in making that choice.

If you value education, you'll likely choose to do your homework. If you value social connections more, you might opt to spend time with your friends.

Values also shape our emotions and how we react to things. Imagine someone lies to you. How you feel about that—angry, hurt, or maybe forgiving—is influenced by your values. If you value honesty highly, you might get really upset. On the other hand, if you value forgiveness, you might be more understanding.

Even more, our values affect how we treat other people. If you value kindness, you're more likely to help someone in need without expecting anything in return. So, values are super powerful; they influence not just our actions but our feelings and the way we treat others, which is pretty awesome when you think about it!

Knowing what values we hold is important for mental health too. On the flip side, an interesting study recently showed that individuals with mental health disorders tend to value tradition, conformity, and security more than people without a disorder. Identifying and living by our values also helps people recover and manage their mental disorders.

The Formation of Values

Values aren't just something that appear out of nowhere; they grow and shape themselves over time like a tree. When you're little, your parents, or whoever takes care of you, plant the first seeds of these values. Maybe they teach you to say "please" and "thank you," which helps you learn the value of politeness.

As you get older, other things like school, friends, and experiences water this value tree, making it grow stronger or sometimes changing its shape. A teacher might inspire you to value learning, or a good friendship might teach you the importance of trust. Even the books you read or the shows you watch can make you think differently about what's important to you.

It's kind of like building a LEGO tower. Each LEGO block is an experience or lesson that adds to your values. And just like a LEGO tower, your value system can change if you decide to rearrange some blocks. That's why it's cool to keep learning and having new experiences; they can help you understand your values better.

Values and Mental Health

Believe it or not, knowing your values can even make you feel happier and less stressed. It's like having a map for a treasure hunt; when you know where you're going, it's a lot easier to get there. People who understand their values often have a clearer idea of what makes them happy, what kinds of jobs they might enjoy, or even what kind of friends they want to have.

Not knowing your values, or going against them, can make you feel lost or confused. Imagine trying to sail a boat without a compass; you might end up going in circles or getting stuck. That's why it's good to spend some time thinking about what really matters to you.

In fact, psychologists often help people explore their values when they're going through tough times. It helps people make better choices and even deal with problems like stress or sadness. So, understanding your values isn't just a neat idea; it's a tool that can help you navigate the ups and downs of life.

The Difference Between Values and Morals

You've probably heard the words "values" and "morals" used a lot, and sometimes, they're used almost like they mean the same thing. But guess what? Even though they're close cousins, they're not exactly twins. Let's take a closer look at how they're different and why it's important to know the difference.

What are Values?

You've already got the scoop on what values are—those guiding stars that help you make decisions in life. Remember, values can cover a lot of ground. They can be things like honesty, family, and even personal freedom. But the key thing is, values are your personal guidebook. They're what you think is important in life, and they help you decide how you act, think, and feel.

What are Morals?

Morals, on the other hand, are more like a community's rulebook about what's right and wrong . These are the dos and don'ts that help people live together without turning everything into a giant mess. For example, most people agree that stealing is wrong—that's a moral standard. Morals often come from bigger places like cultural beliefs, religious teachings, or even laws.

How are They Different?

Imagine you're in a ship. Your values are like your personal map, showing you where you want to go based on what's important to you. Morals are like the general sea rules that all ships should follow, like "don't crash into other boats."

Here's another way to look at it. Let's say you value honesty, so you always tell the truth. That's your personal choice based on your values. But morals come into play when you think about the larger rule that lying is generally considered wrong by most people in your community or culture. In this case, your personal value of honesty lines up nicely with the broader moral belief that lying is wrong.

The way that we develop morals and values is very similar. Piaget's Theory of Moral Development claims that three things influence our development: rules, moral responsibility, and justice. Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development claims that by the time we are 20 years old, our values and morals are pretty well established.

Why It Matters to Know the Difference

Understanding the difference between values and morals helps you navigate life more smoothly. Your values help you make personal choices that make you happy and proud of who you are. Knowing the morals of your community or culture helps you get along with others and be a good citizen.

Sometimes, your values and morals might bump heads. For instance, you might value individual freedom but live in a community where certain behaviors are considered morally wrong. Knowing the difference can help you make decisions that honor both your personal beliefs and the rules of the community you live in.

So, while values and morals are closely related, they're not the same thing. Your values are your personal guide, while morals are the broader rules set by your community. Both are super important and understanding how they work together can help you live a life that's both happy and harmonious.

Individual vs. Collective Values

group of people holding hands in a circle

When it comes to values, it's not just a "me, myself, and I" thing. While each of us has our own set of personal values that guide our choices, we're also part of bigger groups—like families, schools, and countries—that have their own sets of values. These bigger sets of values are called "collective values." So, what's the difference between individual and collective values, and how do they work together? Let's dive in and find out!

What are Individual Values?

Think of individual values as your personal playlist of favorite songs. This playlist includes the tunes—or values—that resonate with you the most. These are the things that make your heart beat faster and guide your actions. It could be stuff like courage, friendship, or creativity. For example, if you value hard work, you might be the kind of person who always gives 100% in everything you do, whether it's a school project or a weekend hobby.

Your individual values are super personal. They're shaped by your experiences, the people you hang out with, and what you believe deep down is important. Just like you wouldn't want anyone messing with your favorite playlist, your individual values are yours and yours alone.

What are Collective Values?

Collective values, on the other hand, are like the top charts of music that a lot of people love. These are values that a group of people agree are important, whether that group is your family, your school, or even your whole country. For instance, many schools value respect and teamwork, which is why they teach you to respect your teachers and work well in groups.

But collective values aren't just about rules or being polite. They help create a sense of belonging and unity. Imagine a big family dinner where everyone values spending quality time together. Those shared values make the meal special and help everyone feel like they're part of something bigger.

The Difference

Here's the big difference: individual values are all about you, and collective values are all about the group. Your individual values are like a selfie—unique and personal. Collective values are more like a group photo, where everyone is part of the picture.

But sometimes there can be a bit of tension between the two. Let's say your family has a Sunday dinner tradition, but you value personal time to read or draw. That's where individual and collective values might clash a bit. The cool thing is, understanding the difference can help you find a balance, like maybe reading before dinner or drawing after everyone has left.

The Interaction Between Them

Guess what? Individual and collective values are not enemies; they can actually be best friends sometimes. Your personal values can influence the group, and the group's values can influence you. For example, if you bring your value of environmental care into your family, you might get everyone recycling or saving water. At the same time, being part of a sports team that values teamwork can help you learn to be a better friend.

In fact, a lot of times our individual values are shaped by the collective values of the groups we're part of. It's like a dance where sometimes you lead, and sometimes you follow, but you're both part of the same rhythm.

Debates Around Personal Values

When we talk about values, you might think it's all straightforward—just decide what's important to you, and you're good to go, right? Well, not so fast! People have different opinions about what values are, where they come from, and even if everyone should have the same ones. Let's look at some of the big debates around this topic.

Nature vs. Nurture

One of the oldest debates in the book is "nature versus nurture." It's like asking, "Were you born loving pizza, or did you learn to love it because everyone around you does?" Some people think our values are built into us from the moment we're born—that it's all about "nature." Others believe our environment, or "nurture," plays a bigger role.

The truth is, it's probably a mix of both. You might be naturally inclined to be curious, but going to a school that encourages asking questions can make that part of you even stronger.

Universal Values vs. Cultural Values

Another hot topic is whether some values are universal—meaning everyone, everywhere should have them—or if values can change depending on your culture. For instance, freedom might be a big deal in one country but less important in another where community harmony is valued more.

This debate can get really tricky when people from different cultures interact. What if something you value, like individual success, is seen differently in another culture that values group harmony? There's no easy answer, but it's important to be open to understanding how different values can be.

Changing Values Over Time

Here's a question for you: Do values change over time, or are they set in stone? Some people think that once you have a set of values, they stick with you for life. Others argue that as you grow and experience new things, your values can shift .

Think about it. As a kid, maybe you valued playtime above all else. But as you grow up, other things like career success or family might take the top spots on your list. It's a debate without a clear answer, but it's good to know that it's okay for your values to evolve as you do.

The Role of Society

Last but not least, there's a debate about how much society should influence our personal values. Should there be a set list of "good" values that everyone should follow? Or should each person be free to choose their own path?

It's a big question, especially when you think about things like laws or school rules. Some people think that having shared values makes a society stronger. Others worry that trying to make everyone have the same values takes away personal freedom.

Examples of Personal Values

Alright, so we've talked a lot about what values are, where they might come from, and even some debates around them. Now let's get down to the nitty-gritty: What are some examples of personal values? Whether you're just starting to think about your own values or looking to understand others better, here's a handy list to get you thinking.

Values That Start With A

Accountability.

Taking responsibility for your actions and owning up to your mistakes or successes.

Achievement

Striving to accomplish goals and enjoying the sense of accomplishment that comes with it.

Adaptability

Being able to adjust to new conditions or environments smoothly.

Seeking and enjoying new experiences, even if they bring some level of risk or uncertainty.

Valuing close relationships and showing care and love toward others.

Putting others' needs before your own, and acting to benefit society at large.

Having a strong desire for success, achievement, or distinction in something that requires dedication and hard work.

Assertiveness

Standing up for your beliefs and values, and expressing your thoughts, feelings, or needs directly.

Authenticity

Being genuine and true to your own character and values.

Desiring independence and the freedom to make your own choices.

Values That Start With B

Seeking equilibrium between different aspects of life such as work, family, and health.

Appreciating aesthetics, symmetry, or grace in both natural and man-made environments.

Desiring a sense of community and relationship with others; valuing being part of a group or family.

Benevolence

Wishing well for others and helping them achieve what they desire.

Daring to take risks, venture into the unknown, or challenge the status quo.

Facing difficult situations with courage and resolve.

Values That Start With C

Valuing tranquility and quiet, and avoiding unnecessary stress or drama.

Having the skills and abilities needed to achieve goals or handle certain situations.

Carefulness

Taking caution in actions and decisions to avoid unnecessary risks or harm.

Taking on difficult tasks as a way to grow and develop.

Giving help or resources to those in need, without expecting anything in return.

Cheerfulness

Maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude, even in difficult situations.

Valuing clear communication and understanding in both thought and expression.

Cleanliness

Keeping oneself and one's environment neat and orderly.

Collaboration

Believing that working together as a team often yields better results than working alone.

Dedicating oneself to a cause, relationship, or goal.

Feeling empathy towards others and wanting to help those in need.

Having the skills and abilities to perform tasks well.

Believing in one's own abilities and making decisions without undue hesitation.

Consistency

Valuing stability and uniformity in actions and decisions.

Contentment

Being satisfied with what you have and where you are in life.

Contribution

Wanting to make a positive impact on other people or a particular situation.

Cooperation

Working well with others, often putting the group’s needs ahead of your own.

Facing fears or difficulties with grace and resolve.

Being polite and respectful toward others.

Valuing innovative thinking and the creation of new ideas or things.

Having a strong desire to learn or know more about something or someone.

Values That Start With D

Decisiveness.

Being able to make decisions quickly and effectively.

Committing to a task or cause for the long haul.

Valuing the right of each individual in a group to have a say in decisions that affect them.

Dependability

Being reliable and trustworthy in all your endeavors.

Determination

Staying focused on a task and seeing it through to completion.

Dedicating time and energy to a person, cause, or belief.

Working hard and staying focused to achieve what needs to be done.

Having self-control and the ability to stick with difficult tasks.

Valuing the inclusion of people from all backgrounds and beliefs.

Having an internal motivation that propels you to achieve.

Feeling a moral or ethical obligation to perform certain actions.

Values That Start With E

Having a keen interest or intense desire to do or achieve something.

Valuing the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

Completing tasks in the most effective way without wasting time or effort.

Being able to understand and share the feelings of others.

Empowerment

Encouraging and allowing others to take control of their own destiny or situation.

Having the stamina to withstand stress or hardship.

Believing everyone deserves equal rights and opportunities.

Doing the best possible job with the resources available.

Valuing the thrill and exhilaration of new experiences.

Exploration

Being eager to explore new places, try new things, and learn.

Values That Start With F

Treating people equally without favoritism or discrimination.

Having a strong belief in something, especially without evidence or proof.

Faithfulness

Staying true to someone or something over time.

Valuing familial relationships and spending quality time with family members.

Flexibility

Being able to adapt to new situations as they arise.

Forgiveness

Being able to forgive those who have wronged you.

Having mental and emotional strength to endure hardship.

Valuing the ability to think or act without outside constraint.

Friendliness

Being approachable and easy to get along with.

Valuing a close relationship based on mutual trust and affection.

Being economical and avoiding waste, often particularly with resources like money or time.

Values That Start With G

Willing to give freely, whether it's time, money, or some other resource.

Handling situations with a sense of elegance or dignity.

Being thankful for what you have.

Having the courage and resolve to accomplish long-term goals.

Seeking personal development, whether it's emotional, mental, or physical.

Values That Start With H

Valuing your own happiness and working to achieve it.

Valuing peace and a balanced, calm lifestyle.

Prioritizing your own well-being, both physically and mentally.

Valuing the truth and striving to be truthful in all interactions.

Having a strong moral compass and maintaining your integrity.

Believing that something good will happen, even in difficult times.

Not viewing oneself as more special or better than others.

Appreciating and valuing laughter and joy.

Values That Start With I

Pursuing high goals and ideals, even if they are difficult to achieve.

Imagination

Valuing creativity and the ability to imagine new possibilities.

Independence

Being able to take care of yourself without relying too much on others.

Individuality

Valuing your own unique traits and not conforming solely to social norms.

Valuing new ideas and seeking novel solutions to problems.

Having strong moral principles and being honest and fair.

Intelligence

Valuing intellectual capabilities and pursuits.

Trusting your own instincts and gut feelings.

Values That Start With J

For those who appreciate the arts or creativity, jazziness could be a value. This would signify an appreciation for spontaneity, improvisation, and the blending of different styles or cultures.

Finding happiness and delight in your surroundings and experiences.

Valuing the process or journey over the destination. This might mean that you appreciate the learning and experiences that come with pursuing a goal, rather than just the end result.

Valuing good humor and cheerfulness. If you appreciate joviality, you likely try to keep a positive outlook and bring a sense of light-heartedness to interactions with others.

Judiciousness

Valuing the ability to make sensible and wise decisions, especially in difficult situations. If you hold judiciousness as a value, you likely think things through carefully and weigh the pros and cons before taking action.

Judgement-Free

Valuing a non-judgmental approach towards others. This could mean providing a safe space for people to express themselves without fear of harsh criticism.

Valuing fairness and ensuring everyone is treated equally.

Valuing the simplicity and wonder associated with childhood. This doesn't mean you're immature; instead, you appreciate the straightforward joy and curiosity often seen in younger individuals.

Juxtaposition

Appreciating the value of contrast or opposition, whether in ideas, design, or in other forms. You might find depth and meaning in contrasting experiences or perspectives.

Values That Start With K

Believing in cause and effect, where your actions, good or bad, will return to you in some form. If you value karma, you aim to do good in the world, believing that it will eventually come back to you.

Being intensely interested or eager about something. Whether it's a hobby, a subject matter, or a social cause, valuing keenness means you're excited to dive deep and learn as much as you can.

Valuing the fundamental principles or elements that everything else depends upon. This could apply to a belief system, a business model, or even a personal regimen that you think serves as a foundation for success.

Being considerate, generous, and friendly to others.

Valuing family ties and friendships as an essential part of human life. If you value kinship, the bonds you share with those close to you are likely among your most cherished relationships.

Knightliness

Valuing the qualities of a medieval knight, like chivalry, courtesy, and bravery. This might seem a bit old-fashioned, but if you value knightliness, you appreciate acts of courage and honor in daily life.

Valuing the acquisition and application of information.

Placing importance on praise and honor received from others. If this is a value for you, you likely work hard to achieve things that you and others can be proud of.

Values That Start With L

Having the ability to lead and inspire others.

Pursuing knowledge and personal growth.

Being able to pay close attention to what others are saying and understand them.

Valuing reason and clear, sound reasoning.

Valuing deep, emotional connections with others.

Being faithful to those you have commitments to.

Values That Start With M

Becoming highly skilled or proficient in certain areas.

Having well-developed emotional and intellectual capabilities.

Seeking a sense of purpose or significance in life.

Valuing quiet reflection and mental clarity.

Mindfulness

Being fully aware and present in the moment.

Avoiding extremes and finding a balanced, middle ground.

Having the desire and will to accomplish specific goals.

Values That Start With N

Valuing what's natural or grounded in nature. This can extend from preferring natural foods and medicines to enjoying spending time outdoors.

Navigability

Valuing the ability to navigate through life's challenges effectively. If this is a value for you, you're likely good at problem-solving and appreciate others who can find their way through complicated situations.

Neighborliness

Valuing a sense of community and good relations with the people who live near you. If you value neighborliness, you likely try to be friendly and helpful to those around you.

Valuing impartiality and objectivity, especially in conflicts or debates. If you value neutrality, you probably strive to look at issues from multiple angles before forming an opinion.

Valuing high moral qualities such as honesty, courage, and generosity. If you value nobility, you strive to act in a manner that is honorable and virtuous.

Nonchalance

Valuing a calm and composed demeanor, especially in stressful situations. If you value nonchalance, you likely handle stress well and don’t easily get ruffled.

Non-Conformity

The act of not following conventional rules, beliefs, or practices. If you value non-conformity, you're probably unafraid to go against the grain and forge your own path.

Valuing memories and the feelings they evoke. While some people look always to the future, if you value nostalgia, you find comfort and guidance in reminiscing about the past.

Valuing recognition from others, even if it's not always in a positive light. This could mean you're driven to be well-known or leave a lasting impression.

Valuing new experiences, ideas, or innovations. If novelty is a value for you, you might be easily bored by routine and constantly seek out the new and exciting.

Appreciating the subtle or complex differences in situations, people, or issues. If nuance is important to you, you value a deeper or more sophisticated understanding of things.

Taking care of others and helping them grow.

Values That Start With O

Open-mindedness.

Being willing to consider different ideas or opinions.

Having a positive outlook on life and expecting the best possible outcome.

Organization

Keeping your life and environment neat and in order.

Originality

Valuing unique ideas and actions over conforming to the norm.

Values That Start With P

Having intense enthusiasm or desire for something or someone.

Being able to wait calmly without getting frustrated.

Valuing a state of tranquility and absence of conflict.

Perseverance

Continuing to try, even when things are tough.

Perspective

Being able to see things from different points of view.

Philanthropy

Donating resources or effort to help others, without expecting anything in return.

Playfulness

Valuing humor, fun, and games as a way to relax and connect with others.

Seeking and valuing enjoyable experiences.

Maintaining a hopeful and optimistic attitude.

Practicality

Valuing what is usable and sensible over what is abstract.

Preparedness

Making sure you're ready for any situation that might arise.

Taking satisfaction in your achievements and capabilities.

Valuing your personal space and keeping certain things to yourself.

Seeking advancement and constructive change.

Exercising careful judgment and caution.

Having a reason for doing what you do, giving you a sense of direction.

Values That Start With Q

Pursuing excellence and high standards.

Quality Time

Valuing meaningful and fulfilling interactions with loved ones over just 'spending time' together. If this is a value for you, you prefer deeper conversations and shared experiences that contribute to closer relationships.

Quantifiability

Valuing things that can be measured or quantified. This could be important for people who love data, statistics, and concrete results.

Quest for Knowledge

Valuing the journey toward learning and self-discovery. This goes beyond just 'knowledge' to emphasize the ongoing process and adventure of learning.

Quick-Wittedness

Valuing the ability to think and respond quickly, especially in challenging or unexpected situations. If you value quick-wittedness, you likely appreciate humor, clever conversation, and resourceful problem-solving.

Valuing peace, quiet, and tranquility. If quietude is important to you, you probably enjoy moments of solitude and places that offer a break from noise and hustle.

Quintessence

Valuing the purest and most essential aspects of life, whether that's love, happiness, or some other fundamental quality. If you value quintessence, you likely strive for the "real deal" in your experiences and relationships.

Appreciating uniqueness and individuality, even if it's unconventional. If quirkiness is a value for you, you probably love things that stand out from the norm, whether it's art, people, or experiences.

Valuing the principle of collective agreement or consensus, especially in a decision-making process. If quorum is a value for you, you believe that decisions should be made collectively with a minimum number of participants to ensure fairness and representation.

Quotability

Appreciating wit, wisdom, or insight that's worth quoting. If this is a value for you, you love those "a-ha" moments when someone says something so true or clever that it's worth remembering and repeating.

Values That Start With R

Using logical thinking to make decisions and understand things.

Recognition

Valuing acknowledgment and appreciation from others.

Rejuvenation

Valuing the time to rest and restore your energy.

Reliability

Being dependable and keeping your promises.

Recovering quickly from difficulties and setbacks.

Treating others with dignity and understanding their value.

Responsibility

Being accountable for your actions and their consequences.

Values That Start With S

Valuing safety and stability in your life.

Self-Actualization

Realizing your potential and becoming the best version of yourself.

Taking time to look after your own well-being.

Self-Control

Being able to regulate your emotions and actions.

Self-Esteem

Having confidence in your own worth or abilities.

Self-Expression

Freely expressing your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.

Self-Improvement

Constantly looking for ways to improve and become better.

Self-Reliance

Relying on your own skills and efforts to achieve things.

Sensitivity

Being aware of and understanding the feelings of yourself and others.

Providing help or beneficial actions to others.

Valuing a lifestyle free of unnecessary complexities.

Being open and truthful in your dealings with others.

Skillfulness

Having dexterity or talent in a particular area.

Standing together with others for a common cause or value.

Spirituality

Valuing a connection to something greater than oneself.

Valuing consistency and steadiness in your life or environment.

Stewardship

Taking good care of resources or privileges that are entrusted to you.

Having physical, emotional, or intellectual power or vigor.

Achieving goals and fulfilling your intentions.

Offering help or emotional support to others.

Sustainability

Valuing long-term well-being over short-term gains, often particularly in the context of environmental care.

Values That Start With T

Working cooperatively with others to achieve a common goal.

Thoughtfulness

Paying attention to details that show you care.

Being accepting of others, even when they are different from you.

Valuing customs, rituals, and beliefs passed down through generations.

Transparency

Being open and honest in your interactions.

Having faith in someone or something.

Values That Start With U

Understanding.

Taking the time to know something or someone in depth.

Feeling a sense of togetherness or oneness with others.

Values That Start With V

Showing courage when facing difficulties.

Being able to plan for the future with imagination and wisdom.

Values That Start With W

Having good judgment based on knowledge and experience.

Appreciating the beauty and vastness of life and the universe.

Work-Life Balance

Balancing career demands with personal and family needs.

Values That Start With X

Valuing the act of being hospitable, especially to strangers or guests. In a world that sometimes feels disconnected or hostile, xeniality places importance on kindness and warm-heartedness toward those we may not know well.

Xeriscaping

This might seem specific, but in an age of environmental concern, valuing xeriscaping could mean you prioritize water conservation and sustainable gardening. You might live in an area where water is scarce, or you might simply want to reduce your environmental impact.

Values That Start With Y

Youthfulness.

Valuing youthfulness doesn't mean you're trying to stay forever young; rather, you value the qualities often associated with youth—like wonder, enthusiasm, curiosity, and an adventurous spirit.

This value speaks to the importance of compromise and letting go of your ego for the benefit of a relationship or group outcome. It doesn't mean you should give up on everything you believe in, but that you understand the importance of give-and-take.

Values That Start With Z

Approaching life with excitement and energy.

31+ Morals Examples (Definition + Brain Teasers)
Carl Rogers Biography - Contributions To Psychology
William Glasser Biography - Contributions To Psychology
185+ Symbolic Interaction Examples (Definition + Trivia)
Dream Interpreter & Dictionary (270+ Meanings)

Reference this article:

About The Author

Free Personality Test

Free Memory Test

Free IQ Test

PracticalPie.com is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Youtube Facebook Instagram X/Twitter

Psychology Resources

Developmental

Personality

Relationships

Psychologists

Serial Killers

Psychology Tests

Personality Quiz

Memory Test

Depression test

Type A/B Personality Test

Who We Serve
Search Results
Personal Branding
Online Reviews
Digital Privacy
Executive Protection
VIP Services
Individuals
Job Seekers
Small Businesses
Large Companies
Resource Center
eBooks & Case Studies
How to Remove Personal Info
Guide to Online Reputation
What is Online Reputation
Reputation Report Card
Privacy Policy

Get a Free Consultation

Celebrities
Protect Your Kids
Online Reputation Management
Search Engines
Social Media
Professionals

How to write a powerful personal values statement

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

A woman sitting at a table with coffee and cake, with a yellow thought bubble coming from her head with a heart icon inside a series of rings.

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

Line of yellow and orange rubber ducks, moving in opposite orderly lines, with one yellow and one orange duck breaking ranks of their lines to meet together in the middle, set on a turquoise colored wooden grained background, conceptually representing water. Concept image representing; standing out from the crowd, meeting, against the grain, freedom, individuality, change, innovation etc.

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

Need assistance? Talk to an expert.

All ReputationDefender consultations are free, confidential, and without obligation.

Call 877-492-5209 or Schedule a Consultation

Fill out the form and we will get back to you shortly

We use cookies to improve your experience and determine the effectiveness of our marketing. To accept cookies, click "Accept Cookies" below. To learn about your other options, click "My Options."

How we use cookies

We use the following types of cookies on our website:

Functional cookies

These cookies show you the correct phone number, check to make sure fonts are loaded, find language-specific resources based on your IP address, provide you with live chat when available, and otherwise allow for smooth navigation on our website. Our website cannot work properly without these cookies.

Marketing cookies

We use common marketing cookies offered by third-party vendors including Google, Facebook, and Bing. These cookies allow us to measure the effectiveness of our marketing activities and improve our website by anonymously tracking the types of interactions users take on our site. These or similar cookies are used by the vast majority of sites on the Internet.

More information

You can learn more about our use of cookies and how we safeguard your personal information in our Privacy Policy .

Personal Values: Meaning And Importance Of Personal Values

Have you ever been in a situation where someone said something you strongly disagreed with but you held your tongue?…

Have you ever been in a situation where someone said something you strongly disagreed with but you held your tongue? When you were unable to speak up and regretted it later?

There are certain things in life we value and prioritize. These things even define the way we lead or want to lead our lives. When we live by these personal values, we feel better about ourselves as we focus on things that matter to us most.

Why is it that personal values hold such significance in our lives? Let’s find out.

Meaning Of Personal Values

Why are personal values important, the role of personal values in the workplace, how to find and strengthen your values, conclusion .

Before we look at the definition of personal values, let’s take some time to understand what the word ‘value’ stands for. At its simplest, value is a quality that’s desirable, something of worth. Our values are important as they help us grow and create the future we want to experience. They guide our behavior, attitudes and beliefs and our motivation.

Personal values are those beliefs we hold most dear. They can be desirable goals that motivate our actions and guide us through our lives. Values often weave into our personalities and define who we are. They become a part of us and influence our decisions and actions. Personal values differ from person to person and are often affected by one’s culture, upbringing and life experiences—among other factors.

The simplest way to identify your personal values is to reflect on your personality and behaviors. Some of these values are recognized as universal rules of conduct and morality. Our lives are shaped by what values we choose to prioritize and adapt. Values aren’t always visible to others; they’re expressed through actions, words and behaviors.

Knowing your values can help you lead a more authentic and fulfilling life. After all, they’re the primary drivers behind our personality and actions. When we tap into our principles and beliefs, it gives us a chance to reinvent ourselves and aim for a better life. With increased self-assurance and confidence, it’s easier to find our purpose, make decisions with greater efficiency and navigate challenging situations. Discovering our own important personal values has the following advantages:

Increases Self-Awareness

Self-awareness has gained a lot of attention, along with the concept of self-love, in recent times. Awareness of your own personality, strengths, weaknesses, faults and skills is an invaluable trait. It’s linked to creating meaningful interpersonal relationships and personal development. Understanding who you are, what you stand for and what drives you starts with identifying our personal values.

Influences Our Outcomes

Knowing yourself is important, but what do you do with that self-knowledge? When you understand yourself and prioritize the things you value in life, you know how to play to your strengths. The path to personal reinvention is through change and you can exercise greater control over outcomes when you know how to embrace change. This type of change starts from changing our actions and mindset; it’s possible only when we understand our personal values.

Improves Quality Of Life

Gaining clarity about who you are is fundamental to leading your best and most fulfilling life. Personal values provide the groundwork to create your most authentic and purposeful life. ( https://modtreks.com/ ) It can help you identify your motivations, set healthy boundaries and make important life decisions. Life can become so much more fun and satisfying when you have clarity about your needs and expectations.

Personal values aren’t limited only to your personal life. Even your professional life can benefit from a deeper understanding of such values.

Recognizing, understanding and staying true to your personal values are some of the most admirable qualities of a professional. The people, their culture and the underlying values drive a workplace. When your values align with the organization, it helps you guide your choices and actions. Values become the crux of better understanding and can help you avoid misunderstandings and conflict. In short, personal values in the workplace inform our behavior and set us up for greater job satisfaction. Here are some of its other benefits:

Helps You Gain Self-Respect

Standing up for what you believe and sticking to your guns is a guaranteed way to gain self-respect. When you don’t believe in the things you value most, it’s difficult for others to respect you. Communicating your values is a great way to build self-respect. For example, if you feel unheard in meetings, speak up or find ways to do so.

Helps You Be Clear About Your Expectations

Identifying your personal values can inform your job searches and career trajectory. By having a clear sense of what values matter most, you can seek roles and industries that help you work on those values. When your personal values align with an organization’s values, it’s a match made in heaven. You’ll find purpose in your job when the organization values the same things as you do.

Helps You In Decision-Making

The modern job market can often be intimidating as there is a sea of opportunities available. It can confuse you and make it difficult to make an informed decision. Being confident about your values can fast-track the process and help you identify opportunities that are right up your alley. Your career path can get much-needed direction with the help of your core values.

Helps You Stay Motivated, Focused And Engaged

Values keep us happy and motivated across all areas of life, including the workplace. However, there will be times when we don’t agree with the process, vision or mission of an organization. Productivity and efficiency are automatically going to suffer. To avoid this, it’s important to remind ourselves of our values and the goals we want to achieve in the long term. This way, we stay focused, engaged and driven.

Helps You Enjoy Your Life

There are some core values we hold dear throughout our lives. However, there are some values that keep changing according to current needs and situations. Values help us prioritize what we need and expect from our professional life and we keep revisiting this list from time to time. Being in touch with our inner selves is a great way to reach fulfillment in our experience at work.

Therefore, clarity about values creates a strong foundation—setting us up for happiness in both life and at work.

There are several questions and tactics you can use to discover what exactly your list of most important personal values looks like. These tips will help you get started:

Get To Know Yourself Better

You can’t define your personal values unless you know yourself well. To get a 360-degree picture of you, start being honest with yourself. Consider asking yourself the following questions:

What’s important to me in my life?

What am I most proud of?

When was I the happiest?

What sort of behavior and actions make me angry?

If I didn’t have to worry about money, what career would I pursue?

You can answer these questions by brainstorming answers and writing them down. Revisiting these answers from time to time is a good exercise.

Identify Your Priorities

Not everything we value holds the same amount of importance in our minds. Some values are more important than others. Finding your core, defining values isn’t always easy. However, you can focus on your priorities by creating your own list of values. Consider these examples of personal values when creating your list:

Achievement

Understanding

This isn’t an exhaustive list. Come up with values that align with your goals and are grounded in your experiences and personality.

Conduct A Values Audit

A values audit may sound like an intimidating concept, but it’s extremely helpful in understanding what you do or don’t consider important. To go about the process, create your values list, rank them by importance and reassess them from time to time. You may undergo changes in your personal or professional life and it’s helpful when you revisit and revise your values list. This exercise will also allow you to add new values and make them a part of your life moving forward. Once you feel confident about adopting a new value, it’s time to own it.

Identifying, prioritizing and pursuing values can help you get closer to defining what’s important to you. You can use these values to set goals and achieve the things you’ve always dreamt about.

The path to self-improvement and growth is understanding where your priorities lie and what changes you want to make. If you want to take action and turn your life around, start by strengthening your self-knowledge. Harappa’s Interpreting Self course is equipped with powerful frameworks that’ll help you foster self-awareness, identify strengths and progress towards professional goals and aspirations. The River of Life framework, in particular, will help you look back on life-shaping experiences. Join this self-knowledge course today to discover your best possible self!

Explore Harappa Diaries to learn more about topics related to the LEAD habit such as Ways To Practice Self-Talk For Success, What Do Multiple Intelligences Mean, What Is Self-Criticism & Why Is Self-Motivation Important to progress towards professional goals and aspirations.

The Meaning of Life: Personal Essay Essay

When it comes to the meaning of life, there are two different ways we can look at it. Both of these have their advantages and disadvantages, and ultimately it is up to the individual to decide which sense of the term they use when discussing the meaning of life. In my opinion, life has meaning which comes from the choices, relationships, and experiences that an individual has, so I find personal meaning within myself.

The external meaning of life is something that is imposed upon us from an outside source. This could be anything from a religious belief system to a set of societal norms and expectations. For example, some people may believe that the meaning of life is to serve God, while others may think that the meaning of life is to be successful in their career. The advantage of this type of meaning is that it provides a clear goal and a sense of purpose, which can help people stay focused and motivated (Novosel, 2020). The disadvantage, however, is that it can be limiting and can make it difficult to explore and find meaning in other areas of life.

The internal meaning of life is something that we find within ourselves. I believe that life is a journey and the meaning of life comes from the choices we make and the relationships we form. Expressing creativity and helping others by making a positive impact on the world are just a few ways to find purpose in life (Novosel, 2020). Nevertheless, it can be challenging to discover the meaning of life, as it requires self-reflection and exploration. The reward of this effort is the sense of freedom it brings, allowing us to define our own sense of purpose.

In conclusion, life is a journey and the meaning of life is a combination of both the internal and external meaning. It is often said that there is no definite answer to the question of the meaning of life. Everyone has their own distinct point of view and it is ultimately the individual’s choice to select which interpretation they would like to embrace. It could be an external interpretation or an internal one; the essential thing is to uncover something that brings pleasure and satisfaction to your life.

Novosel, N. (2020). The meaning of life: A guide to finding your life’s purpose . Nathanael Garrett Novosel.

Self-Reflection on Course Participation
Self-Reflection in Nurses: 70-Year-Old Patient
Black Lives Matter: Diversity Awareness and Self-Reflection
The Power of Personal Mission Statements
Adolescent Socialization in a Post-Pandemic World
From Solitude to Socialization: A Journey of Friendship
The Value of Life Learnt from Personal Experience
Navigating the Ambiguity of Family
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, May 24). The Meaning of Life: Personal Essay. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-meaning-of-life-personal-essay/

"The Meaning of Life: Personal Essay." IvyPanda , 24 May 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/the-meaning-of-life-personal-essay/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'The Meaning of Life: Personal Essay'. 24 May.

IvyPanda . 2024. "The Meaning of Life: Personal Essay." May 24, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-meaning-of-life-personal-essay/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Meaning of Life: Personal Essay." May 24, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-meaning-of-life-personal-essay/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Meaning of Life: Personal Essay." May 24, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-meaning-of-life-personal-essay/.

CPA NEW SYLLABUS 2021
KCSE MARKING SCHEMES
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT
UNIVERSITY RESOURCES PDF
CPA Study Notes
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS IN AUDITING (ISA)
Teach Yourself Computers

KNEC / TVET CDACC STUDY MATERIALS, REVISION KITS AND PAST PAPERS

Quality and Updated

KNEC, TVET CDACC NOTES AND PAST PAPERS

DIPLOMA MATERIALS

KNEC NOTES – Click to download
TVET CDACC PAST PAPERS – Click to download

CERTIFICATE MATERIALS

KNEC CERTIFICATE NOTES – Click to download

IMAGES

Essay on Values
Personal Values and Decision Making Essay Example
Essay on Values
Facts Of Personal Values Free Essay Example
Personal Values And Ethical Standards Analysis Essay Example
20 Personal Values Examples To Help You Find Your Own

VIDEO

Essay on Social media / Essay / Define social media / Social media Essay
What are Values?
Learn to define personal goals and values with business coach Britteney Ofodile
Calicut University 5th Sem. BBA HRM previous Year Question Paper Discussion Part 1 With Notes
Top Secrets to Personal Finance Success
Essay on "Personality"

COMMENTS

My Personal Values in Life: [Essay Example], 773 words
Body Paragraph 1: Personal Value 1. One of my core values is respect. I define respect as treating others with dignity, kindness, and consideration, regardless of their background or beliefs. I learned the importance of respect from my parents, who instilled this value in me from a young age. In college, I have practiced respect by listening ...
The Meaning of Personal Values and How They Guide Your Decisions
Personal values are a set of guiding principles and beliefs that help you differentiate between "good" and "bad.". These are concepts like integrity versus dishonesty or hard work versus cutting corners. Everyone prioritizes their core values differently, and yours shape how you uniquely move through the world.
What Are Your Personal Values?
What Are Your Personal Values? Summary. Learning about what matters to you is key to the decisions you make in your life. Author Jennifer Nash shares how she re-discovered her values during a ...
My Values Essay
My Values in Life. One of the educational values that are fundamental to me is achievement. This is a result of my belief that what defines me most as a person is my determination to succeed and my desire to make a positive contribution to society through my career. Achievement is, therefore, one of the values that are most important to me ...
What Are Your Values?
It could be to "practice loving-kindness ," "show love," or even "receive love with acceptance." If your value is "growth," your actions might be to "try new things" or "take online courses ...
What Are Your Values?
Defining Your Values. When you define your personal values, you discover what's truly important to you. A good way of starting to do this is to look back on your life - to identify when you felt really good, and really confident that you were making good choices. Step 1: Identify the times when you were happiest
How to Find, Define, and Use Your Values
To identify yours, reflect on what's important to you, create a list of the top three things, and rank them if you can. Step 2: Define your values. Write down what each of the values you ...
What Are Your Personal Values? Find & Live By Them (+ Video
Image source: Envato Elements. In some cases, the values will be easy to figure out. If you wrote "a loving relationship" in response to the question about what's important to you, then "love" is an important personal value for you. If you wrote "being happy," then you value happiness.
How to Focus on Your Values in Your Personal Statement
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.
How to Define Your Personal Values and Live By Them
Research confirms this: "Personal values reflect what people think and state about themselves. Understanding personal values means understanding human behaviour.". [9] Like our personalities, what we believe to matter in our lives is highly subjective, nuanced, and sometimes even self-contradicting.
What are Personal Values? 20 Examples & Ways to Find Yours
20 core value examples. 6 tips for defining your own core values. Living by your values. Moving forward. You're chatting with your manager about an important client deadline. The two of you are deep in conversation and about to hit the sweet spot brainstorming a new strategy. A coworker interrupts and asks if they can have a moment of your ...
Defining My Personal Values
Personal values related to self may include education, academic accomplishments, physical fitness, self-respect and esteem, responsibility, creativity, wealth, social status, or humor. Relationship values are comprised of concepts such as family, friends, love, loyalty, camaraderie, harmony, and diversity of perspectives.
Essays About Values: 5 Essay Examples Plus 10 Prompts
10. Schwartz's Theory of Basic Values. Dive deeper into the ten universal values that social psychologist Shalom Schwartz came up with: power, achievement, hedonism, stimulation, self-direction, universalism, benevolence, tradition, conformity, and security. Look into their connections and conflicts against each other.
What Are Your Values? A Guide for Reflection (+Examples)
These basic values proposed by this theory are: 1. Self-Direction: Independent thought and action; choosing, creating, exploring.. 2. Stimulation: Excitement, novelty, and challenge in life.. 3. Hedonism: Pleasure or sensuous gratification for oneself.. 4. Achievement: Personal success through demonstrating competence according to social standards.. 5. Power: Social status and prestige ...
My Personal Values Essay
Integrity is defined as "a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions.". It generally means not intentionally harming others, not stealing from, not cheating, or being fair to, others.
209+ Personal Values A-Z (Definition
209+ Personal Values A-Z (Definition + Examples) Imagine a compass that guides our thoughts, decisions, and actions; that's what personal values are like for each one of us. Personal values are deep-seated beliefs and principles that influence our choices, shape our behaviors, and provide a framework for understanding our place in the world.
(PDF) Personal values in human life
Personal values are a. central content-aspect of the self, distinct from other aspects, such as traits, motives, goals or. attitudes 12 13 14. Personal values are defined as broad, trans ...
How to write a powerful personal values statement
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 ...
Tips to Ace Your Personal Value Statement (With Templates!)
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.
Personal Values Explained: 7 Examples of Personal Values
Level Up Your Team. See why leading organizations rely on MasterClass for learning & development. Developing personal values helps you live a fulfilling life. Learn about different personal core values and how to choose ones that reflect your lifestyle.
Meaning & Definition Of Personal Values
Personal values are those beliefs we hold most dear. They can be desirable goals that motivate our actions and guide us through our lives. Values often weave into our personalities and define who we are. They become a part of us and influence our decisions and actions. Personal values differ from person to person and are often affected by one ...
Core Values List: Over 50 Common Personal Values
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.
Defining your personal values: what are values?
The Musing Mind's Personal Values Quiz. Values are the set of guiding principles we use to form our perceptions and inform our decisions, and understanding them is an incredibly important part of self-development. Learn more about what your personal values are and where they come from in this essay.
The Meaning of Life: Personal Essay
In my opinion, life has meaning which comes from the choices, relationships, and experiences that an individual has, so I find personal meaning within myself. The external meaning of life is something that is imposed upon us from an outside source. This could be anything from a religious belief system to a set of societal norms and expectations.
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award of the United States, alongside the Congressional Gold Medal. It is an award bestowed by decision of the president of the United States to recognize people who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace ...
Knec / Tvet Cdacc Study Materials, Revision Kits and Past Papers
KNEC, TVET CDACC NOTES AND PAST PAPERS. DIPLOMA MATERIALS. KNEC NOTES - Click to download. TVET CDACC PAST PAPERS - Click to download. CERTIFICATE MATERIALS. KNEC CERTIFICATE NOTES - Click to download. (Visited 109,270 times, 72 visits today)

My Personal Values in Life

Table of contents

Cite this Essay

Related Essays

Still can’t find what you need?

Related Essays on Values of Life

Related Topics

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

What Are Your Values?

How Values Help You

Defining Your Values

Step 1: Identify the times when you were happiest

Step 2: Identify the times when you were most proud

Step 3: Identify the times when you were most fulfilled and satisfied

Step 4: Determine your top values, based on your experiences of happiness, pride, and fulfillment

Common Personal Core Values

Step 6: Reaffirm your values

Top Tip for Defining Your Own Core Values

Frequently Asked Questions About Values

Why Are Personal Values Important?

Discover more content

The Way We're Working Isn't Working

10 Common Presentation Mistakes

Gain essential management and leadership skills

Discover something new today

Pain Points Podcast - Presentations Pt 1

How Emotionally Intelligent Are You?

What's Your Leadership Style?

Recommended for you

How to Find, Define, and Use Your Values

Partner Center

What are your chances of acceptance?

Your chancing factors

How to Focus on Your Values in Your Personal Statement

What’s Covered:

Reflecting on Your Experiences

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

20 personal values examples to help you find your own

Personal values 101

What are personal core values?

What’s a personal values system?

How are personal values formed?

Why are core personal values important?

Are personal values permanent?

1. Think of the most meaningful moments in your life

2. Think of the moments you felt the least satisfied

3. Pay attention to what stories inspire you

4. Figure out what makes you angry

5. Imagine your ideal environment

6. Review the accomplishments you’re most proud of

1. Create a list of priority values

2. Use your values to set goals

3. Allow for exceptions

4. Strengthen your values with good habits

5. Practice Inner Work®️

Unlock your potential

Mikayla Balk

Belief or value? Learn the difference and set yourself free

2 Defining My Personal Values

Share This Book

Essays About Values: 5 Essay Examples Plus 10 Prompts

5 Essay Examples

10 Writing Prompts On Essays About Values

209+ Personal Values A-Z (Definition + Examples)

The Psychology of Values

Why Values Matter

The Formation of Values

Values and Mental Health

The Difference Between Values and Morals

What are Values?

What are Morals?

How are They Different?

Why It Matters to Know the Difference

Individual vs. Collective Values

What are Individual Values?

What are Collective Values?

The Difference

The Interaction Between Them

Debates Around Personal Values

Nature vs. Nurture