Crafting Your Values - Specifications#
Overview#
The "Crafting Your Values" exercise is designed to help you identify and refine what truly matters in your life. It guides you through a process of sorting, narrowing down, and articulating your core values. The exercise consists of four main parts and includes a comprehensive list of value cards.
Part 1: So What's Actually Important to You (and What Isn't)#
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Objective:
Begin by categorizing all provided values based on their personal significance. -
Setup:
- Use a set of value cards (printed or digital).
- Prepare three columns titled:
- "Very important to me"
- "Important to me"
- "Not important to me"
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Instructions:
- Place each value card into one of the three columns based on your immediate, gut reaction.
- Do not overthink the placement; trust your feelings.
- Review and adjust the placements until the columns accurately represent your priorities.
Part 2: Narrowing Down#
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Objective:
Refine the selection by focusing on values that you initially rated as "Very important to me." -
Instructions:
- Set aside the values in the "Not important to me" and "Important to me" columns.
- Re-create three columns using only the values from the previous "Very important to me" category:
- "Very important to me"
- "Important to me"
- "Not important to me"
- Sort the remaining values again, comparing their relative importance.
- Adjust the order until you feel that the columns accurately reflect your priorities.
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Outcome:
- If you end up with 5 or fewer values in the "Very important to me" column, you may skip the next step.
- Otherwise, proceed to Part 3 for further refinement.
Part 3: The Most Important Stuff#
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Objective:
Identify your top core values from the refined list. -
Instructions:
- From the values sorted in Part 2, create two new columns:
- "Very important to me" (suggested label: "F*CK YEAH" – your must-haves)
- "Also something I want in my life" (suggested label: "THIS IS AWESOME TOO")
- Rule: The "F*CK YEAH" column can contain a maximum of 5 values.
- Finalize the selection by ensuring that only 5 values occupy the "F*CK YEAH" column.
- From the values sorted in Part 2, create two new columns:
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Additional Task:
- For each of your 5 core values, write a personalized statement in the following format:
- I want [description of your core value]
(Example: "I want to accept myself as I am (self-acceptance)")
- I want [description of your core value]
- For each of your 5 core values, write a personalized statement in the following format:
Part 4: Your Core Values (Reference/Visualization)#
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Objective:
Provide a visual summary of your final values. -
Instructions:
- Review a sample grid or template displaying categories such as:
- Personal Values
- Important To Me
- Very Important To Me
- Not Important To Me
- Use this grid as a reference to ensure that your selections accurately represent your priorities.
- This part may be provided as a printed template or a visual guide and serves as a confirmation of your finalized core values.
- Review a sample grid or template displaying categories such as:
Values List#
The exercise includes a comprehensive list of values. Some of the values are:
- **ACCEPTANCE, ACCURACY, ACHIEVEMENT, ADVENTURE, ATTRACTIVENESS, AUTHORITY, AUTONOMY, BEAUTY, CARING, CHALLENGE, CHANGE, COMFORT, COMMITMENT, COMPASSION, CONTRIBUTION, COOPERATION, COURTESY, CREATIVITY, DEPENDABILITY, DUTY, ECOLOGY, EXCITEMENT, FAITHFULNESS, FAME, FAMILY, FITNESS, FLEXIBILITY, FORGIVENESS, FRIENDSHIP, FUN, GENEROSITY, GENUINENESS, GOD’S WILL, GROWTH, HEALTH, HELPFULNESS, HONESTY, HOPE, HUMILITY, HUMOR, INDEPENDENCE, INDUSTRY, INNER PEACE, INTIMACY, JUSTICE, KNOWLEDGE, LEISURE, LOVED, LOVING, MASTERY, MINDFULNESS, MODERATION, MONOGAMY, NONCONFORMITY, NURTURANCE, OPENNESS, ORDER, PASSION, PLEASURE, POPULARITY, POWER, PURPOSE, RATIONALITY, REALISM, RESPONSIBILITY, RISK, ROMANCE, SAFETY, SELF-ACCEPTANCE, SELF-CONTROL, SELF-ESTEEM, SELF-KNOWLEDGE, SERVICE, SEXUALITY, SIMPLICITY, SOLITUDE, SPIRITUALITY, STABILITY, TOLERANCE, TRADITION, VIRTUE, WEALTH, WORLD PEACE.
(This list is not exhaustive; ensure all values from the original instrument are included.)
Additional Considerations#
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Flexibility:
There is no "one right way" to complete the exercise. Adapt the process to what feels most authentic to you. -
Iterative Process:
You may move value cards multiple times as your understanding and priorities evolve. -
Reflection:
Use the exercise as an opportunity for deep self-reflection to better understand what truly matters in your life.
Final Outcome#
By the end of the exercise, you will have:
- A clear categorization of your values.
- A refined list of your top 5 core values.
- Personalized statements that articulate your core values.
- A visual summary or template that confirms your final selections.
Public Domain#
This instrument is in the public domain and may be copied, adapted, and used without permission.