LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 11, 2020 | BY: KIMBERLY EVANS

If you know me well enough, you will know that I would rather do anything than sell my soul, posting about products that I don’t even like. This post contains affiliate links which I am so excited to recommend to you (and make just a little money from) and would hope that if you have the opportunity to recommend products you love, you would do the same.

Whether you know what your core values are or you’re thinking, why on earth would I need to know my core values, these details about our lives play an intricate part in the direction that our life moves.

Choosing your core values can happen in these 4 simple steps and from there you will feel a greater sense of direction as you use these values to make decisions in every area of your life and celebrate everything that life throws our way everyday.

1. Think about what is important to you.

   • Write down all the words that come to mind.

   • If you need some inspiration, I really liked this list from The Happiness Planner

   • Create a list of at least 30 words

2. Choose values that really connect with you.

   • From your list of 30, pick the 15 words that really stand out. You can read the list over and over and go through a process of elimination

   • Be honest with yourself about your priorities.

   • Circle the 15 words on your page.

3. Create a final list of values.

   • Take the 15 words that you just circled on your page and put a star beside the Top 5 that would be of greatest importance to you. (You’re not saying the other ones aren’t important, just that these 5 are rated higher.

   • Write these 5 words on a separate piece of paper

4. Let these values be your decision making boundaries.

   • When any decision comes up in a day from really small to very big, let these values be a part of your decision making process. Does saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to something change based on asking yourself how it aligns with your values?

   • Be amazed at how making these decisions starts reframing your perspective and allowing things that bring you joy to be more a part of your everyday as you Choose Your Own Adventure.

   • Check out these 3 Surprising Things That Will Make You Happier written by my Podcast Guest, Therapist + Coach Julia Kristina

   
   

I would love to hear what your Top 5 Values were. I landed on Accountability, Creativity, Enjoyment, Generosity and Making a Difference.

Cheers to Celebrating Simple Life!