One of my clients recently faced a pivotal moment. A health diagnosis had shaken her foundation, urging her to redefine her core values. She wanted to approach this chapter of her life with authenticity, making sure she was living true to herself and leaving behind a meaningful legacy. “I want to know,” she told me, “That I lived my life in a way that matters deeply to me, in alignment with my true self, and with values that resonate beyond my time here.”
Together, we went through the core values exercise, peeling back layers to reveal what truly mattered to her. When we finished, she looked at me with an “aha” revelation that felt almost electric. “I can’t believe how my values have drastically changed from pre-diagnosis to now, post-diagnosis.” She realized that the things she used to prioritize—her work, public perception, and the stress of constant responsibility—had lost their pull. Now, she was drawn to passions that nurtured her soul: creativity, family, adventure, and travel. These were the values she wanted to embody, the life she wanted to live.
Why Defining Core Values is Essential
Core values serve as our internal compass, guiding our decisions, actions, and ultimately, the way we experience life. They give us clarity about what truly matters, helping us navigate life’s complexities with integrity and purpose. Without a clear sense of our values, it’s easy to feel lost or unfulfilled, as we may find ourselves chasing goals that don’t align with who we truly are.
When you define your core values, you:
- Gain Clarity on What Matters Most: Core values provide direction in decision-making, helping you focus on what is meaningful to you.
- Live Authentically: When you know your values, you can act in ways that are true to yourself, reducing stress and internal conflict.
- Create a Life of Purpose: Values anchor your actions in purpose, making life feel richer and more satisfying.
- Build Stronger Relationships: By understanding what you value, you’re better equipped to build genuine connections with others who share or respect those values.
- Leave a Legacy: When you live according to your values, you inspire others, creating a lasting impact that resonates beyond your immediate circle.
The Cost of Not Defining Your Core Values
When we lack clarity on our core values, life can feel chaotic and unfulfilling. Decisions may feel inconsistent or ungrounded, and there’s often a lingering sense of disconnection.
If we prioritise things that don’t align with our values—like work or image—we might achieve success on the surface but still feel empty inside. Worse yet, if we face a major life transition or crisis, we may find ourselves unsure of who we are and what truly matters.
Practical Exercises to Exploring Your Core Values
- Identify Your “Joyous Moments”: Think back to times when you felt truly alive, fulfilled, or at peace. What was happening? Who were you with? What values were present in these moments? This exercise helps reveal the values that bring out your best self.
- Values Sort: Work with your coach in identifying your core values using the Life Coaching Core Value Tool. Organise these values by priority—highly important, somewhat important, and not important. This sorting helps narrow down the few values that resonate most deeply.
- Reflect on Past Decisions: Consider decisions you’re proud of and those you regret. What values were driving those choices? Understanding your motivations and what felt out of alignment can reveal which values truly matter to you.
- Visualize Your Legacy: Imagine looking back on your life from an older age or even writing your eulogy. What would you want people to remember about you? What legacy would you like to leave? This can clarify values around relationships, impact, and fulfilment.
Working with a Coach to Define Your Core Values
Working with a coach can make the process of identifying core values more insightful and impactful. A coach offers:
- Guided Reflection: Through thoughtful questions, a coach helps you dig deep into your experiences and beliefs.
- Accountability: Defining values is just the first step—living them takes ongoing commitment. A coach can help you stay aligned.
- Objective Feedback: A coach provides an outside perspective, helping you see blind spots and gain clarity on your values.
In our session, my client discovered that her health diagnosis had shifted her values dramatically. While work and image once held top priority, her focus had transformed to family, creativity, and adventure. She left the session with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity, ready to live a life authentic to herself.
Embracing Your Values as a Lifelong Journey
Our core values can evolve as we do, responding to the phases of life we go through. Embracing this evolution allows us to live fully and authentically, rooted in what truly matters to us.
As my client realised, redefining values can feel like unlocking a part of ourselves we never fully recognised before. When we’re living in alignment with these values, we step into each day with purpose and leave a legacy that resonates long after we’re gone.
Ready to find out your Top Core Values
If you’re ready to uncover the core values that will guide you to live a life aligned with your true self, I’d love to support you on this journey. Together, we can explore what matters most to you, whether you’re navigating a life transition, seeking greater fulfillment, or simply wanting to live more intentionally.
Through personalized coaching, we’ll work through reflective exercises to help you gain clarity, set intentions, and create actionable steps to live authentically. I’ll be there to guide, encourage, and hold you accountable, ensuring you’re embracing what truly lights you up.
Let’s take that first step together. Reach out to schedule a session and start discovering the values that will empower you to live a life of purpose and meaning.
