Personal values list

Knowing what our personal values are helps us to understand what motivates and fulfils us, and therefore can guide our behaviours, decisions and actions to be aligned with who we really are. I like to think of them as our personal code of conduct.

It can also help us reach our goals. Research demonstrates that when we know what our values are and design our goals with them in mind, it sparks higher levels of motivation and effort to achieve them.

I’ve collected a list of values and added them below. It’s by no means exhaustive, but can be a great starting point when you’re ready to determine your own. The idea is to eventually get them down to 5-6, which, in my experience, can take quite some time! Start by combining those that are similar and choosing the word that resonates with you best. For example, achievement and accomplishment are similar but do have slightly different nuances, but which one feels more like you?

Then you can review them with the following questions:

  • What motivates you?
  • What fulfils you?
  • What must you have in your life?
  • What do you often say about yourself?
  • What about you drives others crazy?!

So, which values do you think apply to you?!

P.S. My values are empathy, integrity, fairness, generosity, kindness, authenticity, support and professionalism 😉

AccomplishmentEnergyOriginality
AchievementEnjoymentPassion
AdventureEqualityPatience
AmbitionEthicalPeace
AmbitionExcellencePerformance
AuthenticityFairnessPersistence
AuthorityFaithPlayfulness
AutonomyFamePleasure
AwarenessFamilyPoise
BalanceFearlessPopularity
BeautyFocusPower
BoldnessFreedomProfessionalism
BraveryFriendshipsPurpose
BrillianceFunQuality
CapableGenerosityRecognition
CarefulGivingReligion
ChallengeGratitudeReputation
CitizenshipGrowthRespect
CommitmentHappinessResponsibility
CommunicationHard workSecurity
CommunityHealthSelf-Respect
CompassionHonestyService
CompetencyHumilitySimplicity
ConfidenceHumorSincerity
ConnectionImaginationSpirituality
ConsciousnessIndependenceStability
ContributionInfluenceStatus
CooperationInner HarmonyStructure
CourageInnovationSuccess
CreationInsightfulSupport
CreativityIntegritySustainability
CredibilityIntuitiveTeamwork
CuriosityJoyThoughtfulness
DecisiveJusticeTolerance
DedicationKindnessTransparency
DependabilityKnowledgeTrustworthiness
DeterminationLeadershipUnderstanding
DevelopmentLearningUniqueness
DisciplineLoveVitality
DiscoveryLoyaltyWealth
DriveMeaningful WorkWisdom
EffectivenessOpennessWonder
EfficiencyOptimism
EmpathyOrder