Values Clarification Exercise

VALUES CLARIFICATION EXERCISE INTRODUCTION ============ Your values are your core beliefs and principles that guide your decisions and behavior. When your life and goals align with your values, you experience greater satisfaction, motivation, and authenticity. This exercise will help you identify and prioritize your most important values. CLIENT INFORMATION ================== Name: _____________________________ Date: _____________________________ Coach: ____________________________ Session/Context: __________________ PART 1: VALUES IDENTIFICATION ============================= INSTRUCTIONS: Read through the values list below. Circle or check all values that resonate with you. Don't overthink it - go with your initial reaction. ACHIEVEMENT & SUCCESS ☐ Accomplishment ☐ Excellence ☐ Recognition ☐ Success ☐ Winning ☐ Mastery ☐ Competence ☐ Influence ☐ Power ☐ Leadership RELATIONSHIPS & CONNECTION ☐ Love ☐ Family ☐ Friendship ☐ Community ☐ Belonging ☐ Intimacy ☐ Companionship ☐ Loyalty ☐ Trust ☐ Collaboration PERSONAL GROWTH ☐ Learning ☐ Wisdom ☐ Self-improvement ☐ Consciousness ☐ Spirituality ☐ Inner peace ☐ Mindfulness ☐ Authenticity ☐ Self-awareness ☐ Personal development CONTRIBUTION & SERVICE ☐ Service ☐ Helping others ☐ Making a difference ☐ Social justice ☐ Equality ☐ Compassion ☐ Generosity ☐ Charity ☐ Volunteering ☐ Legacy FREEDOM & INDEPENDENCE ☐ Freedom ☐ Independence ☐ Autonomy ☐ Choice ☐ Flexibility ☐ Self-direction ☐ Liberation ☐ Non-conformity ☐ Spontaneity ☐ Adventure SECURITY & STABILITY ☐ Security ☐ Stability ☐ Safety ☐ Consistency ☐ Predictability ☐ Order ☐ Structure ☐ Financial security ☐ Health ☐ Peace CREATIVITY & EXPRESSION ☐ Creativity ☐ Art ☐ Beauty ☐ Innovation ☐ Originality ☐ Self-expression ☐ Imagination ☐ Inspiration ☐ Design ☐ Music PLEASURE & ENJOYMENT ☐ Fun ☐ Pleasure ☐ Joy ☐ Happiness ☐ Humor ☐ Play ☐ Entertainment ☐ Leisure ☐ Relaxation ☐ Celebration INTEGRITY & MORALITY ☐ Honesty ☐ Integrity ☐ Truth ☐ Justice ☐ Fairness ☐ Ethics ☐ Morality ☐ Principles ☐ Honor ☐ Responsibility CHALLENGE & GROWTH ☐ Challenge ☐ Risk-taking ☐ Courage ☐ Resilience ☐ Perseverance ☐ Determination ☐ Growth ☐ Change ☐ Progress ☐ Achievement OTHER VALUES ☐ Nature ☐ Environment ☐ Health ☐ Fitness ☐ Knowledge ☐ Education ☐ Tradition ☐ Culture ☐ Diversity ☐ Technology Add any values not listed: ☐ _____________________________ ☐ _____________________________ ☐ _____________________________ PART 2: VALUES REFINEMENT ========================= From your selections above, write down your top 15 values: 1. _____________________________ 2. _____________________________ 3. _____________________________ 4. _____________________________ 5. _____________________________ 6. _____________________________ 7. _____________________________ 8. _____________________________ 9. _____________________________ 10. ____________________________ 11. ____________________________ 12. ____________________________ 13. ____________________________ 14. ____________________________ 15. ____________________________ PART 3: VALUES PRIORITIZATION ============================= Now narrow down to your TOP 10 values. This requires difficult choices - consider which values are absolutely essential to who you are: 1. _____________________________ 2. _____________________________ 3. _____________________________ 4. _____________________________ 5. _____________________________ 6. _____________________________ 7. _____________________________ 8. _____________________________ 9. _____________________________ 10. ____________________________ PART 4: CORE VALUES SELECTION ============================= Finally, identify your TOP 5 CORE VALUES. These are the values that define you at your deepest level: CORE VALUE #1: _____________________ Why this is essential to you: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ CORE VALUE #2: _____________________ Why this is essential to you: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ CORE VALUE #3: _____________________ Why this is essential to you: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ CORE VALUE #4: _____________________ Why this is essential to you: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ CORE VALUE #5: _____________________ Why this is essential to you: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ PART 5: VALUES DEFINITION ========================= For each core value, write your personal definition: VALUE 1: ___________________________ My definition: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ VALUE 2: ___________________________ My definition: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ VALUE 3: ___________________________ My definition: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ VALUE 4: ___________________________ My definition: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ VALUE 5: ___________________________ My definition: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ PART 6: VALUES IN ACTION ======================= For each core value, identify how it shows up in your life: VALUE 1: ___________________________ How I currently honor this value: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ How I could honor it more: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ VALUE 2: ___________________________ How I currently honor this value: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ How I could honor it more: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ VALUE 3: ___________________________ How I currently honor this value: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ How I could honor it more: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ VALUE 4: ___________________________ How I currently honor this value: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ How I could honor it more: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ VALUE 5: ___________________________ How I currently honor this value: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ How I could honor it more: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ PART 7: VALUES CONFLICTS ======================== Sometimes values can conflict with each other. Identify any potential conflicts: Potential Conflict 1: Value A: ___________________________ Value B: ___________________________ How they might conflict: ___________________________________ How to balance them: ___________________________________ Potential Conflict 2: Value A: ___________________________ Value B: ___________________________ How they might conflict: ___________________________________ How to balance them: ___________________________________ PART 8: VALUES ALIGNMENT ASSESSMENT =================================== Rate how well your current life aligns with each core value (1-10): VALUE 1: ___________________________ Rating: ___/10 What's working: ____________________ What needs to change: ______________ VALUE 2: ___________________________ Rating: ___/10 What's working: ____________________ What needs to change: ______________ VALUE 3: ___________________________ Rating: ___/10 What's working: ____________________ What needs to change: ______________ VALUE 4: ___________________________ Rating: ___/10 What's working: ____________________ What needs to change: ______________ VALUE 5: ___________________________ Rating: ___/10 What's working: ____________________ What needs to change: ______________ OVERALL VALUES ALIGNMENT: ___/10 PART 9: ACTION PLANNING ====================== Based on your assessment, what changes could you make to better align with your values? IMMEDIATE ACTIONS (Next 30 days): 1. _______________________________ 2. _______________________________ 3. _______________________________ SHORT-TERM CHANGES (Next 3-6 months): 1. _______________________________ 2. _______________________________ 3. _______________________________ LONG-TERM ALIGNMENT (Next 1-2 years): 1. _______________________________ 2. _______________________________ 3. _______________________________ PART 10: DECISION-MAKING FRAMEWORK ================================== Use your core values to guide future decisions: When facing a decision, ask yourself: • Which option best honors my core values? • Will this choice move me toward or away from my values? • How can I integrate my values into this situation? • What would I do if I were living my values fully? VALUES-BASED DECISION TEMPLATE: Decision to make: ___________________ Option 1: ___________________________ Values alignment score (1-10): _____ How it honors my values: ____________ Option 2: ___________________________ Values alignment score (1-10): _____ How it honors my values: ____________ Recommended choice: _________________ Reason: ____________________________ REFLECTION QUESTIONS =================== 1. What surprised you about your core values? ___________________________________ ___________________________________ 2. How do your values influence your goals? ___________________________________ ___________________________________ 3. When do you feel most authentic and aligned? ___________________________________ ___________________________________ 4. What happens when you act against your values? ___________________________________ ___________________________________ 5. How might understanding your values change your life? ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Remember: Values clarification is an ongoing process. Your values may evolve as you grow and change. Revisit this exercise periodically to ensure your life remains aligned with what matters most to you.