How to Create a Values Map
Clarify Your Life Priorities

Should you take that new job or stay where you are? Get married or remain single? Move to a new city or stay put?

Life presents countless choices. Have you ever found yourself asking "What do I really want?" at these crossroads?

A values map is a tool that visually organizes your values and supports life decisions. Once created, it serves as a compass whenever you're lost.

What Is a Values Map?

A values map is a visual representation of what you value most. It can take various forms—a mind map branching from a central point, categories organized by life area, or other creative layouts.

Benefits of Creating a Values Map

• Decision-making framework: Evaluate choices by asking "Does this align with my values?"
• Clear priorities: When torn between options, values help you rank them
• Deeper self-understanding: Articulating what matters deepens self-awareness
• Reduced stress: When actions align with values, internal conflict decreases
• Better communication: Clearly explain your priorities to others

"Without knowing your life's purpose, every day is just repetition." —Unknown

Creating Your Values Map: 5 Steps

Step 1: Brainstorm Your Values

First, list as many values as resonate with you. Use the list below as inspiration. For a comprehensive list, see our "100 Core Values List."

Also answer these questions to dig deeper (for detailed exercises, see "Know Your Values"):

• When did you feel most fulfilled? What were you doing?
• What makes you feel strong anger?
• What do you admire in people you respect?
• If you had unlimited money and time, what would you do?

Step 2: Narrow Down Your Values

From your brainstormed list, select the 10 most important values.

Tips for narrowing down:

• Group similar values (e.g., "friendship," "connection," "belonging" → "relationships")
• Ask "If I could only keep one of these two, which would it be?"
• Consider "How would my life change without this value?"

Step 3: Rank Your Values

Rank your 10 values from 1 to 10. This is difficult but crucial for knowing which to prioritize when values conflict.

Step 4: Create Your Values Map

Now create the actual map. Choose one of these formats:

Format 1: Circle Map

Place "Me" at the center with values arranged around it. Higher-priority values go closer to the center. Connect related values with lines.

Format 2: Pyramid Map

Place your most important value at the top, with lower-priority values below. The foundation supports what's above.

Format 3: Category Map

Organize values by life areas (work, relationships, health, money, growth). Clarify which values matter most in each area.

Step 5: Articulate Each Value

For each value, write more specifically:

• Definition: What does this value mean to me?
• Why: Why is this value important?
• Action: What specific actions express this value?

Example: "Growth"

• Definition: Constantly learning new things and becoming better than yesterday
• Why: A stagnant life feels like death to me. Challenge makes me feel alive
• Action: Read one book monthly, learn one new skill yearly, schedule regular reflection time

Using Your Values Map

For Decision-Making

When facing major decisions, consult your values map:

1. List your options
2. Evaluate which values each option fulfills or compromises
3. Choose the option that best satisfies your highest-priority values

Regular Review

Values can change. Review your map every 6-12 months and update as needed.

Review questions:

• Is this value still important to me?
• Are there new values I should add?
• Have my priorities shifted?

Daily Behavior Check

Weekly, check if your actions align with your values:

• Did I act according to my top 3 values this week?
• Were there moments I acted against my values?
• Which value do I want to focus on next week?

Important Notes

Focus on "Want to" Not "Should"

Write values you genuinely care about, not what society or others say you "should" value.

Don't Seek Perfection

You don't need a perfect map from the start. Create it, use it, and refine as you go.

Don't Compare

There's no "right" values map. Don't think you're wrong because yours differs from others'.

Deepen Your Values with Soul Compass

A values map isn't a one-time exercise. Through daily reflection, deepen your understanding of your values and update them over time.

Soul Compass is an app that deepens self-understanding through daily journaling. By answering AI-generated personalized questions, your values become clearer and more deeply understood.

After creating your values map, make daily reflection with Soul Compass a habit.

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