Here’s the thing about values: you already have them, whether you’ve ever written them down or not. They’re the invisible compass that helps you make choices, set boundaries, and know when something just *feels right* (or *very wrong*).
The problem? Most of us never take the time to *name* them. We’re running around making decisions without a clear sense of what truly matters to us versus what we’ve inherited from society, family, or Instagram.
This little exercise changes that. Below is a table of potential values. Your job isn’t to overthink, or to choose the “right” ones. It’s to notice which ones light you up, which ones make you go *nope,* and which ones land somewhere in between.
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How to Use This Table:
1. Read through it once. Note which ones do not feel important.
2. Read it again. Note the ones that make your heart go *yes, that’s mine.*
3. Whittle it down to your top 3–5 core values. These are your North Star—the ones that guide how you live, love, and lead.
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| | | **Very Important to Me** | **Important to Me** | **Not Important to Me** |
| ——————- | ——————————————————– | ———————— | ——————- | ———————– |
| **Acceptance** | to be accepted as I am | | | |
| **Accuracy** | to be accurate in my opinions and beliefs | | | |
| **Achievement** | to have important accomplishments | | | |
| **Adventure** | to have new and exciting experiences | | | |
| **Attractiveness** | to be physically attractive | | | |
| **Authority** | to be in charge of and responsible for others | | | |
| **Autonomy** | to be self-determined and independent | | | |
| **Beauty** | to appreciate beauty around me | | | |
| **Caring** | to take care of others | | | |
| **Challenge** | to take on difficult tasks and problems | | | |
| **Change** | to have a life full of change and variety | | | |
| **Comfort** | to have a pleasant and comfortable life | | | |
| **Commitment** | to make enduring, meaningful commitments | | | |
| **Compassion** | to feel and act on concern for others | | | |
| **Contribution** | to make a lasting contribution in the world | | | |
| **Cooperation** | to work collaboratively with others | | | |
| **Courtesy** | to be considerate and polite toward others | | | |
| **Creativity** | to have new and original ideas | | | |
| **Dependability** | to be reliable and trustworthy | | | |
| **Duty** | to carry out my duties and obligations | | | |
| **Ecology** | to live in harmony with the environment | | | |
| **Excitement** | to have a life full of thrills and stimulation | | | |
| **Faithfulness** | to be loyal and true in relationships | | | |
| **Fame** | to be known and recognized | | | |
| **Family** | to have a happy, loving family | | | |
| **Fitness** | to be physically fit and strong | | | |
| **Flexibility** | to adjust to new circumstances easily | | | |
| **Forgiveness** | to be forgiving of others | | | |
| **Friendship** | to have close, supportive friends | | | |
| **Fun** | to play and have fun | | | |
| **Generosity** | to give what I have to others | | | |
| **Genuineness** | to act in a manner that is true to who I am | | | |
| **Growth** | to keep changing and growing | | | |
| **Health** | to be physically well and healthy | | | |
| **Helpfulness** | to be helpful to others | | | |
| **Honesty** | to be honest and truthful | | | |
| **Humor** | to see the humorous side of myself and the world | | | |
| **Independence** | to be free from dependence on others | | | |
| **Inner peace** | to experience personal peace | | | |
| **Intimacy** | to share my innermost experiences with others | | | |
| **Justice** | to promote fair and equal treatment for all | | | |
| **Knowledge** | to learn and contribute valuable knowledge | | | |
| **Leisure** | to take time to relax and enjoy | | | |
| **Loved** | to be loved by those close to me | | | |
| **Loving** | to give love to others | | | |
| **Mastery** | to be competent in my everyday activities | | | |
| **Mindfulness** | to live conscious and mindful of the present moment | | | |
| **Openness** | to be open to new ideas and experiences | | | |
| **Order** | to have a life that is well-ordered and organized | | | |
| **Passion** | to have deep feelings about ideas, activities, or people | | | |
| **Purpose** | to have meaning and direction in my life | | | |
| **Responsibility** | to make and carry out responsible decisions | | | |
| **Self-acceptance** | to accept myself as I am | | | |
| **Service** | to be of service to others | | | |
| **Simplicity** | to live simply, with minimal needs | | | |
| **Spirituality** | to grow and mature spiritually | | | |
| **Stability** | to have a life that stays fairly consistent | | | |
| **Wealth** | to have plenty of money | | | |
Then leave space for 3 additional ones they want to add.
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That’s it. Simple, but not easy.
The real magic is in paying attention to what feels true to you *right now* as you embark on this leg of your Personal Legend. And good news: you can update these as you grow. Because your North Star? It evolves and changes just like you.