How to Create Your Personal Core Values List

Building your own personal core values list is like setting a compass for your life. The purpose of core values is to act as guiding principles, to shape your decisions, actions, and ultimately, your character. In this guide, let’s delve into starting the process of identifying and defining your core values list.

Core Values List Step 1: Identifying Your "Not's"

It can feel overwhelming just to start picking values when there are so many positive things you could choose, so one easier way to begin is to start with the opposite. Identify what you would NOT want to be first and why that matters so much to you. This often is a good start at revealing the inverse of the values that do matter most.

For example, if you do not want to be prideful and that especially rings true for you after an experience with a bad boss who hurt the entire team that could inform a value for you. It’s not just about trying to do the opposite but about investing in the good you do want to add to the world. Rather than “humility” to pick a value opposite of pride, it might look like “generosity”, to support the way you are kind and care for others.

Core Values List Step 2: 250 Years From Now…

In this next step, imagine 250 years from now—what aspects of your identity and beliefs would you want to still be passed on for generations? This isn’t always about a crazy vision but rather the consistent, steady behaviors that make an impact. For example, 250 years from now, maybe you’d want to see future generations continuing to find fun, fulfilling, and impactful ways to be generous. Maybe it’s about restoration, that your family continues to address ways to grow and to redeem what has been broken.

Core Values List Step 3: What’s Your Story?

The next way to begin to identify the values that matter to you is to think about the stories that influence what matters most to you. Are there themes from those stories that speak to potential values? Like from the first step, it could be about something you do not want to repeat and how a value has been shaped from that experience. If you want further help identifying stories that matter, check out our free guide here.

Core Values List Step 4: Select Your Words

Now that you have established context and narrowed down areas of focus, it’s time to begin choosing the words that represent your values. Read our blog on how with lists of examples and some great strategic tips here.

Try to keep it simple, no more than 5 words. You want it to be personal and easy to remember. 

Live Your Values

This process of crafting your personal core values list is deeply personal and meaningful, and it can be highly impactful to your own trajectory. So take the time to keep working on these drafts and finding ways to integrate them into your life.

If you want to walk through a guided experience to help you craft values for your family, be sure to visit our partners at 7th Gen Consulting for a special online workshop.