Exploring Personal Core Values

One of the items on my grand to-do list revolves around exploring my own personal core values.

Why? Because I have never given dedicated, intentional thought to identifying my core values. Of course I've given thought to what I value and what I consider to be important in life, but I had yet to actually articulate those thoughts into a specific list of core values.

I didn't want to just come up with a list of values in a few minutes. Using that strategy would have functioned more like brainstorming session than real and intentional contemplation. Instead, while I did begin with a brainstorming session of sorts, I asked myself a few questions:

1) What qualities/characteristics do I admire in others?

2) What qualities/characteristics do I present when I'm being my best and most authentic self? (This shouldn't reflect the characteristics that I'd like the possess, but instead be a real, honest assessment of myself as an individual.)

3) What qualities/characteristics do I find frustratingly lacking in other people? (I didn't consider this because I think that all people should have these same core values. But if I get frustrated when someone doesn't have that trait, it's likely because it's something that I value highly.) 
 
After considering these questions, I had a fairly long list of values (about fifteen). Using online resources (thanks, Google), I browsed lists of core values to see if anything else caught my eye. No new values were added to the list, but some were changed to synonyms that I found more preferable to the words used in my original draft.

Once I was satisfied with the verbiage, it was time to narrow down the list of values to those that I truly considered to be core values. I examined each value individually, considering the both definition of the word and whether or not I would consider that particular value to be part of my best and most authentic self. There are some values (for example, ambition) that I admire in other people but don't quite describe me personally. Those were eliminated from the list.

In the end, here is the list of core values that I've identified:

Integrity
Accountability
Openness
Perseverance
Gratitude
Mindfulness
Adaptability
Learning
Wellness

And, according to the Barrett Values Center, here are some things my that my core values say about me as a person.

Your values show:

• You believe in looking for new opportunities to develop and grow, and give support and guidance to others in this regard.
• You make a conscious effort to hear others' contributions and demonstrate transparency through your actions and words.
• You seek harmony and balance in all aspects of your life.
• You take ownership of your actions and like others to do the same.
• Demonstrating determination and resolution to follow through ensure that you are able to fulfill your aims.
• You enjoy having the chance to improve your skills and experience in the work place and gain meaning from developing your abilities in this regard.
• You enjoy working with others and like to cooperate and share experiences.

The type of values you selected indicates that your individual capabilities and the connections you build with others are both important to you.

I found this exercise to be valuable because it caused me to examine my authentic self. It does take intentional thinking to be honest with yourself about your values, and more so about what things aren't included in your core values. For example, I didn't want to admit that I'm not all that ambitious. But when I'm honest with myself, it's the truth. I enjoy my work and take pride in my accomplishments, and there are times in which I display ambition, but it is not at the core of my best and most authentic self.

What values do you display when you are at your best and most authentic self?