What Are Core Values?
Your core values are the fundamental principles that guide your decisions, shape your actions, and define how you show up in the world. They act as an internal compass, helping you navigate life with clarity and purpose. These guiding principles, at their core, are simply the truths that matter most to you.
Unlike fleeting preferences or changing interests, your core values remain relatively stable over time. While they may evolve slightly as you grow and life experiences accumulate, they serve as the foundation for your priorities and long-term fulfillment.
You can find a list of core values and definitions at the bottom of this article.
Where Do Core Values Come From?
Your values are shaped by your unique life experiences, cultural influences, and can be seen in your future aspirations:
- Personal Experiences – Life events, both positive and challenging, shape what you prioritize. A person who has overcome adversity may value resilience, while someone who has been deeply betrayed may value integrity.
- Cultural and Social Influences – The environment you grow up in plays a significant role in your value system. Some cultures emphasize individual freedom, while others prioritize family and community.
- Future Aspirations – Your goals point to what you hold as most important. If you dream of creating impact, you may value leadership and service. If you place a lot of emphasis on saving financially, you may value security or independence.
Why Living in Alignment with Your Core Values Matters
Living in alignment with your values means more than just identifying them, it’s about practicing them daily. When your choices and actions align with your values, you live authentically and life flows more easily, contributing to deeper senses of purpose and fulfillment.
The Benefits of Aligning with Your Core Values
- Greater Self-Awareness – Knowing your values helps you understand what drives and inspires you, providing the backbone to define your personal definition of success..
- Easier Decision-Making: Enhanced clarity around your values provides the ultimate litmus test when making tough decisions. Take your gut-feelings to another level!
- More Purposeful Actions: From career decisions to daily habits, aligning with your values ensures that your actions are purpose driven and meaningful.
- Stronger Relationships: Understanding the values of others alongside your own can improve communication and to deeper relationships.
- Authentic Connections: Living in alignment with your values attracts like-minded individuals, making it easier to form genuine friendships.
- Clearer Goal-Setting: When your goals align with your values, they become more motivating and achievable.
- Stronger Boundaries: Setting and maintaining boundaries becomes easier with a firm WHY behind them..
- Greater Resilience: Knowing that your continued efforts are inline with a bigger picture helps provide the resilience needed to persevere through challenging times.
- Increased Joy and Fulfillment: When your decisions reflect your deepest beliefs, you experience a stronger sense of joy and fulfillment. Things just feel right!
Discovering Your Core Values
Begin with Reflection
This first step of reflection is essential, it primes your mind to recognize what truly matters as you navigate the list of values in the next step. Take a moment to consider:
- When have you felt most alive and fulfilled?
- What accomplishments make you proud? Why?
- What situations have made you frustrated or angry? What values were being challenged?
- Who do you admire, and why? What qualities do they embody?
- How do you want to be remembered? What words would you want others to use to describe you?
Elimination and Ranking Exercise
I’ve developed a four-step exercise designed to help you pinpoint your top core values. This process takes you from a broad list of 150 values down to your top 10, ranked in order of importance. Through elimination and comparison, you’ll gain clarity on what you hold in highest regard.
If you have taken some time to do some initial reflection as recommended above, check out the Values Discovery exercise!
Audit Your Values as You Live Them
If you’ve made it this far, you’re on the right track. But the real work begins now. Identifying your core values is just the start, as living in alignment with them requires ongoing reflection and adjustment. As you integrate your values into daily life, take time to audit them. You may find that certain values hold more weight than you initially realized. Meanwhile, others may emerge as more significant through continued self-discovery. Embrace this evolving process and refine your understanding as you grow.
Living in Alignment with Your Core Values
Identifying your values is just the start. The real challenge, and the real power, comes from integrating them into your daily life with intentional action and discipline.
- Keep Your Values Visible: Write them down and place them where you’ll see them every day. A constant visual reminder keeps them top of mind, ready to guide your decisions and actions, especially when facing challenges.
- Reflect and Journal: Each day, take a few minutes to analyze your choices. Did your actions align with your values? Were there moments when you compromised? What habits are running on autopilot, and do they serve your mission?
- Prioritize What Matters: If something is important, schedule it. Stop hoping things will fall into place. Take control and ensure your daily actions reflect your values.
- Cut the Dead Weight: Identify activities, commitments, and even relationships that don’t align with your values. Then, start eliminating them. No excuses, no hesitation.
- Make Decisions with Conviction: When faced with a tough choice, ask yourself: Which option aligns best with my core values? Then commit. No second-guessing.
- Set Goals That Matter: Your long-term goals should reflect your deepest values. Alignment creates fuel for perseverance, making it easier to push through obstacles and stay focused.
- Surround Yourself with the Right People: Build a circle of like-minded individuals who respect and embody similar values. Iron sharpens iron. When you’re around strong, committed people, you become stronger and more committed yourself.
Final Thoughts
Your core values are more than just words, they are the foundation of a meaningful and fulfilling life. By identifying and embracing them, you gain the power to make intentional decisions, build deeper connections, and create a future that reflects your most authentic self.
Ready To Discover Your Core Values?Check out the Values Discovery Exercise
Discover your top 10 core values and unlock the benefits of living in alignment.
Values DiscoveryList of Core Values & Definitions
Accountability
Taking responsibility for your actions, decisions, and their consequences, understanding their impact on both yourself and others, and being transparent in your efforts to make amends when necessary.
Adaptability
The ability to adjust quickly to changing circumstances and environments, maintaining a positive and proactive mindset, and thriving in situations of uncertainty or disruption.
Adventure
Actively seeking new, exciting, and often challenging experiences that push you beyond your comfort zone, encouraging growth, exploration, and a sense of discovery.
Altruism
Selflessly prioritizing the needs and well-being of others through acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity, often without expectation of personal gain or recognition.
Ambition
A strong desire and drive to achieve personal and professional goals, supported by a sense of purpose, focus, and a relentless pursuit of success.
Appreciation
Recognizing the beauty, value, and positive aspects of life, and expressing gratitude for both the simple and significant blessings you experience daily.
Authenticity
Being true to yourself, embracing your unique qualities, and acting with sincerity, honesty, and transparency, while aligning your behavior with your values and beliefs.
Balance
Striving to maintain harmony between your personal, professional, and social life, ensuring that no area is neglected while nurturing mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Beauty
Recognizing and valuing beauty in various forms, whether it’s in nature, art, human connections, or the everyday moments of life, and allowing it to inspire joy and creativity.
Belonging
The deep sense of connection and acceptance within a group, community, or environment where you feel valued, understood, and included for who you truly are.
Boldness
The courage to face challenges head-on, take calculated risks, and step outside of your comfort zone with confidence, even when the outcome is uncertain.
Bravery
Demonstrating mental and moral strength to confront fear, adversity, and danger, standing firm in your beliefs, and acting with courage, even when faced with discomfort or resistance.
Care
Showing deep concern for the well-being of others, offering support, understanding, and kindness, and nurturing relationships with empathy and compassion.
Challenge
Embracing difficult situations as opportunities for growth, striving to push your limits, and developing resilience and self-discipline through overcoming obstacles.
Change
Embracing and adapting to transformation, whether in personal development or external circumstances, with an open mindset and an eagerness to learn from new experiences.
Character
Living with integrity, guided by a clear set of ethical values and principles, and acting with honesty, fairness, and respect toward others.
Clarity
Gaining a clear understanding of your goals, values, and direction in life, and communicating these effectively with others to foster alignment and mutual understanding.
Collaboration
Working harmoniously with others toward a common goal, valuing teamwork, shared resources, and diverse perspectives to achieve collective success.
Commitment
Showing deep dedication to your responsibilities, values, and long-term goals, persevering even when faced with challenges, and maintaining focus on the bigger picture.
Communication
Clearly and effectively expressing your ideas, thoughts, and emotions while actively listening and engaging with others to promote understanding and foster positive relationships.
Community
Creating an environment where individuals feel supported, valued, and connected, and where collective growth, well-being, and mutual respect are prioritized.
Compassion
Showing deep empathy and care for the suffering of others and taking action to alleviate it through kindness, understanding, and support.
Competence
Developing and demonstrating a high level of skill, expertise, and proficiency in your work and personal endeavors, and consistently performing with confidence and quality.
Confidence
Trusting in your abilities and decisions, maintaining a positive self-image, and approaching challenges with a belief in your capacity to succeed.
Connection
Cultivating meaningful and fulfilling relationships, built on trust, communication, and mutual respect, and fostering a sense of belonging and support.
Contentment
Finding satisfaction, peace, and happiness in the present moment, and appreciating the things you have without constantly striving for more.
Contribution
Actively making a positive difference in the lives of others and the world, whether through small daily actions or significant efforts aimed at social, environmental, or global betterment.
Cooperation
Working together harmoniously with others, combining strengths, resources, and ideas to achieve shared success and mutual benefit.
Courage
Acting decisively despite fear, uncertainty, or discomfort, showing resilience and determination to pursue your goals and overcome challenges.
Courtesy
Treating others with respect, kindness, and consideration, creating positive and harmonious interactions, and fostering a culture of politeness and mutual regard.
Creativity
Using imagination and original thinking to generate new ideas, solve problems, and express yourself in innovative ways, whether through art, work, or daily life.
Curiosity
A strong desire to explore, learn, and understand new concepts, experiences, and perspectives, cultivating a mindset of inquiry and intellectual growth.
Decisiveness
The ability to make quick, confident decisions even under pressure, drawing from clarity of thought and a strong sense of direction.
Dedication
Committing deeply to your goals, values, and responsibilities, putting in consistent effort and perseverance to achieve success, regardless of challenges.
Dependability
Being reliable, trustworthy, and consistent in fulfilling your obligations and commitments, earning the trust and confidence of others.
Devotion
Deeply committing yourself to a person, cause, or passion with unwavering support, loyalty, and a strong emotional investment.
Discipline
Maintaining self-control, focus, and structure in your actions, making deliberate choices that align with your goals and values.
Diversity
Embracing and valuing differences in people, ideas, and cultures, and recognizing the strength and enrichment that diversity brings to relationships, communities, and work environments.
Drive
A strong internal motivation to achieve personal or professional success, pushing yourself to keep going even in the face of obstacles or setbacks.
Education
Committing to lifelong learning and intellectual growth, seeking knowledge, skills, and experiences that expand your horizons and enrich your life.
Efficiency
Maximizing productivity and minimizing waste by organizing your time, energy, and resources in the most effective way possible to achieve desired results.
Empathy
The ability to deeply understand and share the emotions, thoughts, and perspectives of others, fostering meaningful connections and compassionate relationships.
Empowerment
Helping others to recognize and realize their potential, encouraging them to take control of their lives and make informed, confident decisions.
Endurance
The ability to persist through adversity and challenges with resilience, maintaining focus and determination despite difficulties or setbacks.
Enthusiasm
Approaching life, work, and challenges with eagerness, optimism, and a contagious passion that motivates and inspires those around you.
Equality
Advocating for fairness, justice, and equal opportunities for all, regardless of race, gender, age, or any other personal characteristic.
Ethics
Adhering to a strong moral code and set of principles that guide your actions, ensuring integrity, honesty, and fairness in all decisions and relationships.
Excellence
Striving to reach the highest standards in all pursuits, continuously pushing yourself to improve, and setting a benchmark for quality and achievement.
Fairness
Treating all people with impartiality, respect, and dignity, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities and is judged by the same standards.
Faith
Trusting in yourself, others, or a higher power, maintaining belief in possibilities and a positive future, even in the face of uncertainty.
Family
Cherishing and nurturing deep connections with loved ones, cultivating support, loyalty, and mutual care within familial relationships, and prioritizing their well-being and happiness.
Flexibility
Adapting with ease and openness to new information, experiences, or changes, and maintaining a positive attitude in dynamic or uncertain circumstances.
Focus
Maintaining unwavering attention and concentration on tasks and goals, minimizing distractions, and aligning efforts to achieve clear objectives with efficiency.
Forgiveness
Letting go of resentment, anger, or grudges, and offering grace to others and yourself, allowing for emotional healing and the opportunity for growth and reconciliation.
Freedom
Valuing autonomy, independence, and the ability to make choices based on personal beliefs, desires, and values, without being hindered by unnecessary constraints.
Friendship
Building and nurturing strong, supportive relationships based on trust, loyalty, shared experiences, and mutual respect, where individuals support and encourage one another.
Generosity
Offering time, resources, or assistance freely and without expectation of return, with a focus on enhancing the well-being of others and promoting kindness.
Gratitude
Acknowledging and expressing sincere appreciation for the positive aspects of life, as well as the efforts and contributions of others, fostering a mindset of abundance.
Growth
Continuously striving for self-improvement, learning, and personal development, seeking to evolve through experiences, challenges, and reflection on one’s journey.
Harmony
Creating balance, peace, and unity within relationships, environments, and internal states, fostering cooperation and understanding among individuals and groups.
Health
Prioritizing physical, mental, and emotional well-being by adopting habits and practices that promote longevity, vitality, and balance in life.
Honesty
Being truthful, transparent, and straightforward in communication and actions, fostering trust and integrity in relationships and all areas of life.
Honor
Upholding high standards of integrity, respect, and ethical behavior, and acting with dignity and consideration toward others in every situation.
Hope
Maintaining a positive outlook and belief in better outcomes, even in times of uncertainty or difficulty, and finding the motivation to move forward despite challenges.
Humility
Acknowledging your limitations, embracing learning opportunities, and valuing others’ perspectives, while maintaining a modest view of your achievements and abilities.
Humor
Using lightheartedness, wit, and laughter to uplift yourself and others, fostering joy, resilience, and a sense of connection through shared moments of fun.
Imagination
Exploring creative ideas, possibilities, and solutions, and thinking outside the box to approach problems or express oneself in innovative ways.
Impact
Striving to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of others, communities, or the world, through positive contributions and purposeful action.
Independence
Valuing self-reliance, autonomy, and the freedom to make personal choices and decisions, while being responsible for one’s own path and success.
Initiative
Taking proactive steps toward achieving your goals, seizing opportunities, and being the first to act or make a change in situations that matter.
Innovation
Embracing novel ideas and creative solutions that break traditional boundaries, striving to improve systems, processes, and products with forward-thinking approaches.
Integrity
Consistently acting in alignment with your core values, beliefs, and principles, and maintaining honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct in every aspect of life.
Intimacy
Cultivating deep, meaningful, and vulnerable connections with others, characterized by trust, mutual care, and emotional closeness that enhances relationships.
Intuition
Trusting your inner wisdom, gut feelings, and instincts to guide your decisions and actions, even when logic or external information is insufficient.
Joy
Experiencing and cultivating happiness, contentment, and fulfillment in both big and small moments, appreciating life and its pleasures with an open heart.
Justice
Advocating for fairness, equality, and the protection of individual rights, and working to create systems that support these values in society.
Kindness
Demonstrating compassion, generosity, and respect through thoughtful actions and words, and making a conscious effort to uplift and support others.
Knowledge
Valuing the pursuit of wisdom, learning, and intellectual growth, and seeking to understand the world, people, and concepts through curiosity, study, and experience.
Leadership
Inspiring and guiding others toward common goals with vision, clarity, and empathy, and leading by example with integrity and confidence.
Learning
Continuously expanding your personal and professional knowledge, embracing new ideas and perspectives, and growing through educational experiences and self-reflection.
Legacy
Creating an enduring impact on the world and future generations through actions, values, and contributions that leave a positive and lasting impression.
Life
Celebrating the gift of existence, embracing the ups and downs, and valuing the precious moments, relationships, and experiences that define your journey.
Love
Cultivating deep, caring connections with others, based on trust, affection, and shared experiences, and nurturing those bonds with kindness and empathy.
Loyalty
Remaining devoted, faithful, and supportive to those you care about, standing by them in times of need and celebrating their successes with unwavering commitment.
Mastery
Achieving proficiency, expertise, and excellence in a particular skill, subject, or field, through consistent effort, practice, and dedication.
Mindfulness
Practicing full awareness and presence in each moment, observing thoughts and emotions without judgment, and cultivating a calm, focused, and balanced mind.
Moderation
Embracing a balanced approach to life, avoiding extremes, and practicing self-control and discernment in habits, desires, and behaviors.
Motivation
Maintaining a sense of drive, purpose, and determination to pursue goals, fueled by passion, commitment, and the desire for personal fulfillment.
Nature
Valuing and respecting the natural world, its ecosystems, and all forms of life, and prioritizing conservation, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
Nurturing
Providing emotional, mental, and physical support and encouragement to foster the growth and well-being of others, helping them to realize their potential.
Openness
Being receptive to new ideas, experiences, and perspectives, and embracing change with a flexible mindset that fosters learning and growth.
Optimism
Maintaining a positive, hopeful, and forward-thinking outlook on life, even when faced with challenges or adversity, and focusing on potential for improvement.
Order
Valuing organization, structure, and clarity in both your environment and thoughts, creating systems that support efficiency, productivity, and peace of mind.
Originality
Celebrating uniqueness, self-expression, and the courage to create or contribute something new and innovative, free from conformity or imitation.
Passion
Pursuing your goals, interests, and dreams with intense enthusiasm, purpose, and determination, dedicating yourself fully to what you care about.
Patience
Exercising calm, understanding, and self-control in the face of delay, difficulty, or adversity, and recognizing that some things take time to develop or resolve.
Peace
Cultivating inner tranquility and harmony in relationships, reducing conflict, and creating an environment of calm, understanding, and goodwill.
Perseverance
Persisting through challenges, obstacles, and difficulties, maintaining focus and determination to achieve your objectives, even when success feels distant.
Persistence
Demonstrating tenacity and unwavering commitment, refusing to give up despite setbacks or failures, and continuing to pursue your goals with resilience.
Positivity
Maintaining a hopeful and constructive mindset, focusing on the good in situations, and radiating optimism that inspires and uplifts others.
Power
Harnessing personal strengths, influence, and resources to create positive change, lead effectively, and empower others in the pursuit of common goals.
Precision
Paying attention to detail, accuracy, and exactness in both thought and action, and striving for perfection through careful execution and thoroughness.
Preparedness
Being ready for any situation or challenge by planning ahead, organizing resources, and developing strategies to face the unexpected with confidence and adaptability.
Privacy
Valuing personal boundaries and the right to confidentiality, ensuring that one’s personal information and space are respected and protected by others.
Productivity
Efficiently managing time, energy, and resources to achieve desired results, focusing on high-impact tasks and minimizing distractions to maximize output.
Professionalism
Maintaining a high standard of excellence, ethics, and behavior in all work-related activities, demonstrating integrity, responsibility, and respect for others.
Prosperity
Seeking and achieving abundance in all areas of life, including financial, personal, and spiritual wealth, while ensuring that success is built on values of integrity and service.
Punctuality
Valuing time by being reliable and consistently arriving or completing tasks on schedule, demonstrating respect for others’ time and commitments.
Purpose
Living with a clear sense of direction and intentionality, aligning your actions with your deepest values, passions, and long-term vision for a meaningful life.
Quality
Pursuing excellence in all endeavors, ensuring that work, products, and relationships reflect high standards of care, attention, and integrity.
Rationality
Making decisions based on logic, reason, and evidence, and approaching problems with clear thinking and sound judgment rather than emotional reactions.
Realism
Setting practical and achievable expectations and goals, and understanding the limitations and challenges of any situation while still striving for improvement.
Recognition
Valuing and seeking acknowledgment for achievements and contributions, understanding that recognition motivates growth and reinforces positive behavior.
Reflection
Taking time to consider and evaluate actions, decisions, and experiences, with the goal of learning, improving, and gaining deeper understanding of oneself and others.
Reliability
Demonstrating consistency and dependability in fulfilling commitments and obligations, building trust through steady performance and accountability.
Resilience
Bouncing back from adversity, setbacks, and challenges with strength, adaptability, and a positive mindset, and using obstacles as opportunities for growth.
Respect
Treating others with dignity, courtesy, and consideration, acknowledging their worth and honoring their boundaries, feelings, and perspectives.
Security
Ensuring a sense of stability, safety, and protection in life, whether in relationships, work, or personal circumstances, fostering peace of mind and confidence.
Self-awareness
Developing a deep understanding of your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and their impact on others, leading to greater self-control, growth, and emotional intelligence.
Self-care
Prioritizing and nurturing your physical, mental, and emotional well-being by engaging in practices that restore energy, balance, and peace of mind.
Self-control
Exercising discipline and restraint over impulses, emotions, and behaviors, and making intentional choices that align with long-term goals and values.
Self-esteem
Acknowledging and valuing your worth, strengths, and potential, fostering a positive self-image and the belief that you are deserving of success and happiness.
Self-respect
Holding yourself to high standards, honoring your own boundaries and values, and consistently treating yourself with dignity and integrity.
Selflessness
Prioritizing the needs, well-being, and interests of others above your own, fostering compassion, generosity, and service in all interactions.
Sensitivity
Being empathetic, understanding, and considerate toward the emotions, needs, and experiences of others, and responding with care and respect.
Serenity
Cultivating inner peace, calmness, and tranquility, even in the face of stress or adversity, through mindfulness, balance, and acceptance of the present moment.
Service
Contributing time, energy, and resources to support others’ well-being, needs, or development, with a focus on making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Simplicity
Embracing minimalism, clarity, and focus by removing excess or distractions, and focusing on the essentials that bring true value and fulfillment to life.
Sincerity
Being genuine, honest, and authentic in your thoughts, words, and actions, with no pretense or deceit, and fostering trust in your relationships.
Spirituality
Seeking connection to a higher power, purpose, or universal truth, and exploring the deeper meaning and significance of life through faith, meditation, or self-reflection.
Stability
Creating a foundation of security and consistency in your life and relationships, fostering a sense of safety, balance, and predictability in times of change.
Strength
Demonstrating resilience, courage, and fortitude in the face of adversity, and using inner power to overcome challenges and grow stronger through experience.
Success
Defining and pursuing your own version of achievement, fulfillment, and joy, and measuring progress based on personal values and goals, rather than external approval.
Support
Offering encouragement, assistance, and empathy to others, empowering them to reach their full potential and overcome challenges with confidence.
Sustainability
Prioritizing long-term environmental, economic, and social responsibility, making choices that preserve resources and promote well-being for future generations.
Teamwork
Collaborating effectively with others toward shared goals, respecting diverse contributions, and fostering a spirit of cooperation, trust, and collective achievement.
Tenacity
Demonstrating unwavering determination, perseverance, and grit in pursuing goals, even when faced with obstacles, challenges, or failures.
Tolerance
Accepting and respecting diversity in people, beliefs, cultures, and experiences, and valuing inclusion, understanding, and open-mindedness.
Tradition
Honoring and preserving cultural, familial, and historical practices, and recognizing their value in providing a sense of continuity, identity, and shared wisdom.
Tranquility
Cultivating a state of calm, peace, and serenity, both internally and externally, and fostering environments and mindsets that promote relaxation and ease.
Transparency
Promoting openness and honesty in communication, relationships, and decision-making, fostering trust, clarity, and shared understanding.
Trust
Building and maintaining confidence and reliability in relationships, creating a safe and supportive environment where others can depend on you.
Understanding
Demonstrating empathy and a desire to appreciate others’ perspectives, and striving to listen with an open mind and heart, fostering mutual respect.
Unity
Promoting cooperation, harmony, and connection within communities or groups, working together toward common goals with shared purpose and mutual respect.
Vision
Developing and pursuing a clear, inspiring picture of the future, using it as a guide for setting goals and making decisions that align with your long-term aspirations.
Vitality
Maintaining and cultivating high energy, enthusiasm, and vibrancy in life, approaching challenges with a dynamic, optimistic spirit and a zest for living.
Wealth
Acquiring and managing resources responsibly, seeking abundance in all forms, and using wealth as a tool to create opportunities, security, and positive impact.
Wisdom
Applying knowledge, experience, and insight to make sound, informed decisions, while balancing logic, intuition, and a broader perspective of life’s complexities.
Wonder
Embracing a sense of awe, curiosity, and fascination with the world, seeking new experiences and perspectives that inspire and expand your understanding of life.
Work ethic
Demonstrating dedication, diligence, and perseverance in your efforts, striving to produce quality results through hard work, commitment, and resilience.