How to Determine Your Values So You Can Live a More Aligned Life
Values are the things that you believe are important in life, and they are essential for your healing and growth. They guide your actions and shape your relationships, so by taking the time to identify your values, you can live a more aligned and happy life.
Do you know your values, what they mean to you, and their impact on your life? If you don't know the answer to these questions, do not worry because we have got you covered.
We believe that understanding and honoring your values is crucial for creating a life that reflects who you are and what's important to you. It’s worth the effort to figure this out because once you have this clarity, you can make more aligned decisions.
So how do you go about identifying your values? Below are some tips on how to get started.
What are Values?
Values are the guiding principles that you can use to make decisions. They are the principles or standards you live to guide your decisions, actions, and life.
Humans often develop values from the people and environment we grow up in. For example, if you are raised in a family that values hard work and education, you are likely to value those things. However, as you grow older, you may find that the values you grew up with no longer align with who you are or the woman you want to become. When this happens, it’s time to learn more about yourself and the world around you, so you create new values.
I believe one of the most important things you can do for your personal growth and healing is to name your values. Until you identify what's important to you, you can put yourself in situations where you sign up for things that leave you feeling stuck, burned out, and overwhelmed. You may also struggle with making decisions because values can give you a clear roadmap for fulfilling and meaningful life.
Why Are Values Important?
Values are important because they act as a guiding force in your life to help you determine what is important to you and what is not. They are an important part of who you are and how you live your life.
Knowing your values can help you mdecide what is right and wrong, and they help you understand your place in the world. They can also help you identify your priorities, provide a sense of direction when you feel lost or uncertain, and motivate you to take inspired action.
When you live according to your values, you are more likely to be happy and fulfilled because adhering to your values can help you develop a sense of pride and satisfaction when living according to your beliefs.
When you know your values, it can be easier to create a sense of community with people who share similar beliefs and goals. Values can also give you a sense of purpose, essentially something to strive for beyond your day-to-day existence.
If you're unsure what your values are, think about what it takes to truly live in alignment with your values. Ask yourself questions like:
What do you believe is important?
What sort of people do you admire?
What makes you happy?
What do you want to stand for in this world?
What values are most important to you at this time?
How can you make sure that your life reflects your values?
“I have learned that as long as I hold fast to my beliefs and values, and follow my own moral compass, then the only expectations I need to live up to are my own.”
How do Values Show Up in Your Life?
Values guide your decisions, shape relationships, and help you find meaning in life. Beyond that, values can also have a powerful effect on your health and well-being. When you live in alignment with our values, you can enjoy greater mental and physical health. Studies have shown that people with a strong sense of purpose and values tend to live longer, be happier, and experience less stress.
The key to living in alignment with your values is to be mindful of which values are most important to you at any given moment and to make sure that your actions align with those values. When values are front and center in your life, you are more likely to start making choices that reflect them. Every choice you make either get you closer or further away from your desired lifestyle and ideal self. So, to live a values-based life, you must make choices that reflect your values.
That's why it's so important to spend some time thinking about what you value most - it can help you work out what kind of lifestyle you want to lead and what sort of person you want to be. Your values also affect the choices you make every day; they're an essential part of who you are and who you want to be.
How to Determine Your Values
Values play a role in shaping who you are in life. They can be:
Personal or social.
Individual or shared.
Positive or negative.
Static or dynamic.
Abstract or concrete.
Universal or particular
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to values. However, to get the most out of your values, we recommend narrowing them down to the feelings you want to feel versus naming things outside yourself. If you're not sure what your values are, there are a few ways to figure it out:
Think about what qualities you admire in others.
Consider what makes you happy or fulfilled.
Reflect on times when you've felt proud or disappointed in yourself.
Thinking about these things can help you to identify the values that matter most to you. When you make choices that reflect your values, you tend to feel good about yourself. You also build stronger relationships with people who share your values. So, take some time to think about what is important to you and start making choices that reflect those values. It could be the best decision you ever make.
Knowing your values gives you a better sense of who you are and what you believe in. This can help you to stay focused and make choices that are true to your heart’s desires.
So how do you go about naming your values? It's quite simple. First, brainstorm a list of what's important to you in all areas of your life: relationships, career, spirituality, health, etc. It can be helpful to think about what is important to you in your life and what you will stand for when faced with a difficult decision.
Then keep breaking the list down, put your values into words and then turn each word into a feeling you desire to have in that area. Values can be broad, like 'family' or 'friendship,' or they can be more specific, like 'honesty' or 'compassion.' Values can also be a source of strength and comfort in times of trouble. We recommend brainstorming 15 and then narrowing it down until you get three to five.
Once you have identified your values, you can start to make choices that reflect them. For example, if the family is important to you, then you might spend more time with them or make decisions that support your relationships with them. If adventure is important to you, you might seek new experiences and take risks.
Once you know your values, living in alignment with them can also help you with goal setting and can help you feel more happy, fulfilled, and proud of yourself. Your list might change over time as you learn and grow, so you should evaluate your list quarterly and, at minimum, yearly. Remember that your values may differ from those of your family or friends, and that's okay. That’s what makes you unique.
[View our curated values list]
Values are essential if you want to propel your life to the next level. They can give you a north star for guiding you along your life’s journey. By understanding why values are important and how they affect your life, you can work to identify and name your values. Once you know what your values are, you can begin to honor them in every aspect of your life.
We hope this article has helped you see the importance of having your values and that you now have some insight into how to determine what they might be. We recommend creating values for your life, profession, and relationships at a minimum.
If you need help naming your values or need guidance incorporating them into your life, sign up for a Werk Your Magic session with one of our amazing coaches. They would be honored to support you on your sacred journey! Find out how to join us here.
Cheers to learning your power, owning your power, and living in your power!
Xoxxo,
Ashton Lynne