100 Core Values List
Self-Discovery Exercise

"I don't know what my values are." "I can't put into words what I care about."

If that sounds familiar, this list of 100 values organized by category will help you discover what truly matters to you.

How to Use This Values List

1. Browse through all values: First, scan through all 100 values
2. Select what resonates: Intuitively choose 20 values that feel important to you
3. Narrow down: From 20, narrow down to 10, then to 5
4. Prioritize: Rank your final 5 values from 1 to 5
5. Define: Write out what each value means to you personally

Tip: When in doubt, ask yourself "If I could only choose one of these two, which would it be?"

100 Core Values List

Relationships & Connection (15)

Growth & Learning (12)

Freedom & Autonomy (10)

Achievement & Success (10)

Stability & Security (8)

Creativity & Expression (10)

Integrity & Ethics (10)

Contribution & Service (8)

Health & Wellbeing (8)

Joy & Enjoyment (9)

Values Narrowing Exercise

Step 1: Choose 20

From the list above, intuitively select 20 values that feel important to you. Don't overthink it—pick what resonates.

Step 2: Narrow to 10

From 20, narrow down to 10. Ask yourself "If I could only choose one of these two, which would it be?" Keep the more important ones.

Step 3: Narrow to 5

Cut it in half again. These 5 are your "core values."

Step 4: Prioritize

Rank your 5 values from 1 to 5. This becomes your guide when values conflict.

Step 5: Define

For each value, write out the following (for a more detailed exercise, see "How to Know Your Values"):

• What does this value mean to me?
• Why is this value important to me?
• What specific actions will I take to live this value?

If you'd like to organize your values visually, check out "How to Create a Values Map."

Deepen Your Values with Soul Compass

Simply selecting values from a list can lead to superficial understanding. To truly understand your values, you need to explore the "why" behind them through daily reflection.

Soul Compass is an app that deepens self-understanding through daily questions. By answering AI-generated personalized questions, you'll gain a deeper and clearer understanding of your values.

Related Articles