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A List of Values: Understanding What Truly Matters | A List of Values


 

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A List of Values: Understanding What Truly Matters

Is it possible to live a life truly satisfied if you do not know the very principles that guide your heart? Values are the basic beliefs and ideals that give shape to who we are and how we move through the world. They serve as an inner sense of direction, guiding our decisions, our relationships with others, and the direction of our life. Knowing your core values is necessary for you to live with intent and be your true self.

What Are Values?

Values are the guiding factors and beliefs that help people control their behavior and choose action. They answer a deep, personal question: "What thing is truly important to me in life?" Values do not come from someone outside telling us what to do - instead, they grow out of our own personality and life events, forming the base of our character. These beliefs help us decide what we must do first, tell the difference between what matters and what does not, and figure out good ways to reach our goals. If we deal with career choices, tough relationship spots, or personal growth, our values set up the frame for choosing a path that feels honest and full of meaning.

Core Categories of Values

Values fit into several categories that make sense, with each one showing a different part of a life that is in balance[1]:
  • Belonging, also Connection includes values such as love, friendship, respect, community, empathy, as well as kindness. These values focus on our need for good relationships and our role inside a bigger group of people.
  • Growth as well as Development covers learning, achievement, curiosity, resilience (bouncing back), adaptability, in addition to creativity. These values show our desire to improve ourselves, take on tough problems, and spread out what we are good at.
  • Impact plus Influence holds values such as leadership, speaking out for others, accomplishment, next to reputation. These values drive our wish to cause a change and leave our mark on the world.
  • Fulfillment, also Meaning includes peace, gratitude, wisdom, spiritual belief, along with legacy (what we leave behind). These values speak to our search for a deeper purpose and feeling happy with what we have in life.

Common Personal Values

The list of personal values is very wide. Some widely seen examples include[4][6]:
  • Altruism shows selflessness and a strong duty to help the bigger good of society.
  • Authenticity means you live true to yourself and your feelings.
  • Courage is facing hard things and fears with resolve.
  • Compassion reflects kindness and emotional skill in how we treat others.

Dependability speaks to being trustworthy - being someone others rely on. Integrity means you act in line with your principles and moral sense. Justice shows a duty to fairness and ethics. Learning values the search for knowledge and constant growth.

Humility involves keeping a simple view of how important you are, which makes you open to hearing feedback. Gratitude means you value the good things in life. Freedom shows the desire to choose for yourself and be independent. Wisdom involves putting knowledge and past experience to use with good sense.

Other values that speak to many people cover balance, working with others, honesty, respect, purpose, as well as forgiveness. The good thing about values is that they are deeply personal - what matters most to you differs much from what matters to someone else.

Finding Your Core Values

Instead of trying to grab every value, experts tell you to find three to five core values that speak most deeply to you. This sharp focus helps you uncover the basic thing that truly matters, rather than spread yourself thin across ideals you think you "should" have.

When you look into your values, ask yourself: Which qualities truly show who I am? What principles guide my most important choices? What gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment? Your answers point toward the values that set the anchor for your life.

Why Values Matter

Values do a very important job in our lives. They help us set goals and decide on good ways to reach them. When we act in ways that line up with our values, we feel more honest and sense more purpose. When we act against our values, we often feel inner struggle and unhappiness.

Values also shape how we interact with others and build relationships. They set the frame for understanding what is important, ethical, in addition to right - for ourselves and in our communities. Whether we deal with personal choices or help reach group goals, our values give us the moral direction we need.

Living Your Values

Knowing your values is only the start. The real job is to live them all the time. This means you pick actions - big and small - that show what you decided is truly important. It means you sometimes say no to chances that do not match your values, and you say yes to those that do.

Living your values takes regular thought and fine-tuning. As you grow and change, your values change too. Reviewing what matters most often keeps your life true to your real self.

Values are not just ideas in philosophy books or self-help guides. They are real guides that shape the kind of relationships we have, how happy we feel in our work, and the legacy we leave. By making your values clear and promising to live by them, you create a life with greater meaning, purpose, next to true self.

FAQ

How often should I review my core values?

You should review your core values at least once a year, or during times of major life change, such as a career shift or the start of a new relationship. This helps make sure your chosen values still reflect who you are now.

Do my values change as I get older?

Yes, your values often change over time. When you are younger, achievement or independence often get top spots. Later in life, values such as connection, peace, along with giving back often become more important. This is a normal part of personal growth.

What happens if my actions do not match my values?

When your actions do not match your core values, you usually feel inner stress, unhappiness, guilt, or confusion. This mismatch shows you that a change in your behavior or your current situation is needed to restore true alignment.

Resources & References:
  1. https://values.institute/list-human-values/
  2. https://dde.manuu.edu.in/sites/default/files/DDE/DDE-Assignments/Diploma-Sem1-2024/IT-Skills.pdf
  3. https://navid.me/core-values-list/
  4. https://www.betterup.com/blog/personal-values-examples
  5. https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/types-of-values
  6. https://www.blueprint.ai/blog/core-values-list-definitions-and-tools-for-therapy-and-clinical-practice
  7. https://thomasgriffin.com/core-values-list/
  8. https://www.wertemuseum.de/en/blogs/insights/wie-wo-was-werte
  9. https://www.achievers.com/blog/company-core-value-examples/
  10. https://positivepsychology.com/values-clarification/

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