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 😉
| Accomplishment | Energy | Originality |
| Achievement | Enjoyment | Passion |
| Adventure | Equality | Patience |
| Ambition | Ethical | Peace |
| Ambition | Excellence | Performance |
| Authenticity | Fairness | Persistence |
| Authority | Faith | Playfulness |
| Autonomy | Fame | Pleasure |
| Awareness | Family | Poise |
| Balance | Fearless | Popularity |
| Beauty | Focus | Power |
| Boldness | Freedom | Professionalism |
| Bravery | Friendships | Purpose |
| Brilliance | Fun | Quality |
| Capable | Generosity | Recognition |
| Careful | Giving | Religion |
| Challenge | Gratitude | Reputation |
| Citizenship | Growth | Respect |
| Commitment | Happiness | Responsibility |
| Communication | Hard work | Security |
| Community | Health | Self-Respect |
| Compassion | Honesty | Service |
| Competency | Humility | Simplicity |
| Confidence | Humor | Sincerity |
| Connection | Imagination | Spirituality |
| Consciousness | Independence | Stability |
| Contribution | Influence | Status |
| Cooperation | Inner Harmony | Structure |
| Courage | Innovation | Success |
| Creation | Insightful | Support |
| Creativity | Integrity | Sustainability |
| Credibility | Intuitive | Teamwork |
| Curiosity | Joy | Thoughtfulness |
| Decisive | Justice | Tolerance |
| Dedication | Kindness | Transparency |
| Dependability | Knowledge | Trustworthiness |
| Determination | Leadership | Understanding |
| Development | Learning | Uniqueness |
| Discipline | Love | Vitality |
| Discovery | Loyalty | Wealth |
| Drive | Meaningful Work | Wisdom |
| Effectiveness | Openness | Wonder |
| Efficiency | Optimism | |
| Empathy | Order |
Kelly is a certified coach with over 20 years of experience, holds the PCC credential from the International Coach Federation and has completed a MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology with distinction. She offers bespoke positive psychology based coaching packages to help ambitious professionals to develop their authentic leadership identity, create more fulfilling careers and implement personalised strategies for optimal wellbeing at work.
