e-news Identifying Personal Core Values

Identifying Personal Core Values

By: Charles (Bill) Carpenter

Core values are governing principles that help you make sound, consistent decisions. You should carefully identify costs versus benefits, as your core values can not be compromised. When you start compromising any of your core values you will find it becomes easier to disregard all of your values system. You should only deviate from your values system after you have thoughtfully identified that one of those values is not working or needs to be altered in some way. When a deviation needs to occur, be prepared to handle perceived inconsistencies.

Step One

The first step in identifying your core values is defining your identity; that is your strengths, weaknesses, preferences and lifelong ambitions. When you understand who you are and where you are going it is easier to identify what life governing principles will help you reach your destination. A man or woman with nothing to achieve is sure to achieve it.

In taking this first step of defining your identity, answer the following questions:

  1. What are my most redeeming qualities?
  2. What are my weaknesses?
  3. What am I doing to network and build alliances?
  4. What do I enjoy most?
  5. How can I shape my career goals around what I enjoy?
  6. What is one accomplishment I must make in my life?
  7. How could I correct or compensate for my weaknesses to ensure accomplishment of my lifelong goals?      
  8. How does my faith shape my sense of identity?

Step Two

The second step in identifying your core values is defining your destiny. Your destiny will be determined by daily choices and long-term goals you set for yourself. Once you have identified the one accomplishment you most want to make, you need to start mapping a life plan that will get you there.

Answering the following questions is a good start:

  1. What previous experiences or education will help me arrive at my desired destination?
  2. How can my present college situation serve as a steppingstone toward my destination?
  3. What will a perfect day look like when I have arrived at my destination?
  4. Who might assist me on my journey?
  5. What kind of people will I spend time with when I have arrived?
  6. In five or less sentences; how will I know when I’ve arrived?
  7. How does my faith shape my destiny?

The Final Step

The final step is to define the values that will help you make the right decisions along the journey. When we have solid core values that govern our decision making; we become more judicial. As a result we respond better in times of crisis and change; giving us a proactive edge over most other people.

Answer the following questions as you begin considering your personal core values:

  1. What are my moral absolutes?
  2. How do I define right from wrong?
  3. How would I define my work ethics?
  4. What values will help me build strong relationships?

 

My Top Five Values

I have identified 5 values as my foundational core; all other values I hold are built upon these. I do not recommend that you adopt my core values, rather adapt them by considering how they may provide framework for personalizing your own values.

The value of my relationship with God serves as my first value. Every decision I make must align with what I perceive to be His purpose for my life. No opportunity can interfere with my personal quality time with Him. All of my life goals center on what I perceive that He wants for and from me.

The value of my family is my second value. Every decision I make must benefit my family both short and long term. No other person, position or opportunity can become more valuable than my family. Regardless of what I may accomplish in career or hobby, I must find the energy and passion to invest in those I love most, for they will have the longest influence on my career, financial and emotional well being.

The value of all people is my third core value. I believe that every person I meet has the potential of bringing value into my life. I will attempt to always recognize, be interested in and value every person I meet so as to build lasting profitable relationships. Every person I meet comes with unique strengths, weaknesses and experiences making them a valuable asset to me and so they should be regarded. The easiest way for me to achieve the things in life I want is to help them achieve the things in life they want.

Excellence in everything is my fourth core value. Excellence in everything simply means that I do my best at everything I do. It is not as important that I be the best, as it is that I do my best. Only I can know when I have done my best. Therefore I should never devalue myself by doing less.

Thoroughness at all times is my fifth core value. I am not as concerned with finishing first as I am with finishing. When I leave loose ends untied someone else must tie them up causing me to lose credibility. I will finish what I start and I will avoid starting what I can not finish.

Source:
http://www.charlesspeaks.com/articles/5ValuesforLifelongSuccess.asp
Accessed: May 3, 2005
Used by Permission

 

 

 Assignment:

Work through the assigned materials and create statements of your top 5 to 8 personal values.  Use the above format (as done on this page by the author, Charles Carpenter) as a model for your completed statements.

Read the handout "Identifying Personal Core Values".

Use this worksheet to write answers to the questions that are found on page 1.

Step One

(1) What are my most redeeming qualities?

 

(2) What are my weaknesses?

 

(3) What am I doing to network and build alliances?

 

(4) What do I enjoy most?

 

(5) How can I shape my career goals around what I enjoy?

 

(6) What is one accomplishment I must make in my life?

 

(7) How could I correct or compensate for my weaknesses to ensure accomplishment of my lifelong goals?

 

(8) How does my faith shape my sense of identity?

 

Step Two

(1) What previous experiences or education will help me arrive at my desired destination?

 

(2) How can my present job situation serve as a steppingstone toward my destination?

 

(3) What will a perfect day look like when I have arrived at my destination?

 

(4) Who might assist me on my journey?

 

(5) What kind of people will I spend time with when I have arrived?

 

(6) In five or less sentences; how will I know when I’ve arrived?

 

(7) How does my faith shape my destiny?

 

Step Three

(1) What are my moral absolutes?

 

(2) How do I define right from wrong?

 

(3) How would I define my work ethics?

 

(4) What values will help me build strong relationships?

 

Personal Values Questionnaire

The following is a list (obviously not inclusive) of items often identified as personal values.  You may add items if your values are not listed.

Rating system:
1 = very important 2 = important 3 = somewhat important
4 = not important 5 = definitely not important 

1.  Fairness 1  2  3  4  5 
2.  Honesty 1  2  3  4  5 
3.  Tolerance 1  2  3  4  5 
4.  Courage 1  2  3  4  5 
5.  Integrity 1  2  3  4  5 
6.  Forgiveness 1  2  3  4  5 

7.  Peace

 1  2  3  4  5 
8.  Environment 1  2  3  4  5 
9.  Challenge 1  2  3  4  5 
10.  Self-Acceptance, Self-Respect 1  2  3  4  5 
11.  Knowledge 1  2  3  4  5 
12.  Adventure 1  2  3  4  5 
13.  Creativity 1  2  3  4  5 
14.  Personal Growth 1  2  3  4  5 
15.  Inner Harmony 1  2  3  4  5 
16.  Spiritual Growth 1  2  3  4  5 
17.  Belonging, Connected 1  2  3  4  5 
18.  Diplomacy 1  2  3  4  5 
19.  Teamwork 1  2  3  4  5 
20.  Helping 1  2  3  4  5 
21.  Communication 1  2  3  4  5 
22.  Friendship 1  2  3  4  5 
23.  Consensus 1  2  3  4  5 
24.  Respectfulness 1  2  3  4  5 
25.  Tradition 1  2  3  4  5 
26.  Security 1  2  3  4  5 
27.  Stability 1  2  3  4  5 
28.  Neatness 1  2  3  4  5 
29.  Self-control 1  2  3  4  5 
30.  Perseverance 1  2  3  4  5 
31.  Rationality 1  2  3  4  5 
32.  Health 1  2  3  4  5 
33.  Pleasure, Play 1  2  3  4  5 
34.  Excellence 1  2  3  4  5 
35.  Prosperity 1  2  3  4  5 
36.  Family 1  2  3  4  5 
37.  Appearance 1  2  3  4  5 
38.  Intimacy 1  2  3  4  5 
39.  Beauty, Good Looks 1  2  3  4  5 
40.  Community 1  2  3  4  5 
41.  Competence 1  2  3  4  5 
42.  Achievement 1  2  3  4  5 
43.  God 1  2  3  4  5 
44.  Intellectual Status 1  2  3  4  5 
45.  Recognition 1  2  3  4  5 
46.  Authority 1  2  3  4  5 
47.  Power 1  2  3  4  5 
48.  Competition 1  2  3  4  5 
49.  College degree 1  2  3  4  5 
50.  Persistence 1  2  3  4  5 

Please review your work and select the items that represent your personal core values – eight items.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

 

 

My Values Pyramid

A Values Pyramid will give you a picture of how your values are associated with each other.

Your most important value forms the base of the pyramid.

The next-most-important will be above the base value.

There is room for eight (8) values to be placed in this pyramid.

Each section should have a value in it.

Place this completed form in your MNB.