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Our values and beliefs are the principles that define us. Steadily built on through childhood and early adulthood, most of us probably consider our values to be set by the experiences and environments we have been exposed to thus far and not subject to drastic change. However, while most of us probably think we have a very clear idea of what is important to us, if someone were to ask us our top five values, we may have a hard time picking these principles out. And it would be a mistake to think that since many values are abstract, there is no need to narrow them down, as we can successfully follow any number of them. Some, like honesty or trustworthiness, certainly require no time constraint. Others, such as valuing family, financial success, or community service, definitely do.

It takes time and introspection, as well as careful consideration of our life so far, to select our most important principles, which is why we have compiled the list below. Take a look at the values listed and select the ones you find the most important or definitive for you. We have tried to include as many common values as possible, but this list is by no means exhaustive and is designed merely to help get you thinking in this direction. Try to limit yourself to roughly five. These will be your priorities. With much more than five you run the risk of spreading your time and attention too thin: By standing for everything, you end up standing for nothing. Much less, and you may become too focused or narrow-minded. These values are not connected and most people will probably choose anywhere from across all categories. Keep in mind that not making a certain value a priority does not mean that it is not important to you: it just won´t be a point of focus.

Sample List of Values

While this list is comprised of words describing what we may be, some people define themselves easier in terms of what they are not or don’t want to be. Use whichever definitions work best with you. If you have completed this exercise and have chosen your top five values, give or take a few, you now have a list of the things in front of you that you consider nonnegotiable. These are the principles you claim as the core of your self and having them clearly stated makes it easier to define who you are and what you are willing and not willing to do. You can now apply these values to your goals without compromising yourself.

→ Related term at Wikipedia: Values
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