How to use this framework:#

• Part 1: Reflect on past experiences
• Part 2: Identify ALL values that relate to you
• Part 3: Narrow down your list and select your top 5 core values
• Part 4: Break these down into specific areas
• Part 5: Bridge the gap

Part 1: Reflection exercise#

Kick off this game-changing exercise by first reflecting on the moments in your life that felt the most rewarding, satisfying and fulfilling or even when you were at your happiest.

Grab a notebook and pen, and answer the following journal prompts honestly and thoroughly. There are no limits to this initial step, so feel free to let loose and braindump. 

• Reflect on your most rewarding, satisfying and fulfilling moments.
  • Where were you?
  • What were you doing?
  • Who were you with?
• What else contributed to these feelings?
• How did you feel after the moment was over?
• What did you learn about yourself?
• What values were present during these moments?
• Which ones still resonate with you now? 

Part 2: Identify the values that resonate#

What other values align with the life you want to create or with the person you want to be?

Use this core values list to get crystal clear on what values are your biggest priority.

Part 3: Your core values#

Once you have your list of 10-15 values, it’s now time to narrow them down to just 5. To do this, compare each value on your list by asking yourself:

"Which value is more important to me right now?"

For example, say your list looked a little like this:

• Adventure
• Community
• Family
• Friendships
• Health
• Integrity
• Joy
• Kindness
• Knowledge
• Leadership
• Love
• Spirituality
• Wealth

You would need to compare “adventure” with every other core value that follows it by asking yourself which value is more important.

If “adventure” is more important to you than “community”, it gets a tally mark.

If “family” is more important to you than “adventure”, then that value would get the Tally mark.

Work down your list until you have a completed tally chart. The words with the most tally marks next to them are your top 5 core values.

Write them down and keep them somewhere visible.

Part 4: Specific values#

There are 2 types of values.

1. Core values
2. Specific values

Core values apply to your whole life, so they are usually quite broad. Whereas specific values are context-related and can be applied to a particular area of your life.

If one of your core values is “health”, you would want to break this value down into 3-5 smaller areas (e.g. sleep, nutrition, exercise, etc.) so you know what to prioritise as well as where to put your time and attention.

To figure out your specific values, ask yourself these questions:

• What is important to me about this value?
• Why is this important to me?
• What else is important to me about this value?
• Why is this important to me?

Continue to use these questions until you have come up with at least 3-5 specific values.

For example, freedom for me means:

• Financially free
• Location independence
• Mind - free from internal pressures and external expectations
• Self-sustainability
• Living off-grid

Part 5: Bridge the gap#

Compare these values to your current life/job/daily tasks — what’s missing? Pinpoint small adjustments you can make that bring you closer to your values.

For example, if you value creativity but feel weighed down by mundane admin tasks, look for ways to invite more creativity into your personal life through hobbies and creative side-projects. 

Or, if you crave freedom but feel trapped behind a desk, look into remote work options at your current company or negotiate a more flexible work schedule.

Set one small, actionable goal to start aligning your work with your values today

P.S. If you need help turning this framework into an actual plan, I've got you. The Core Values Workbook shows you how to actually apply your values IRL so you can make better decisions, build self-trust, and stop feeling so damn behind. Grab it here for just $9. ❤️‍🔥