What Are Values?

Values and principles are distinct concepts. Values represent what is important to us personally, while principles are enduring guidelines for human behavior that have been shown to hold lasting significance. When our values do not align with our principles, they can hinder our ability to achieve the results we desire in life.

Defining Our Values

Think about the things that are most important to you; your values. The words listed below may help stimulate your thinking. Values are powerful motivators that influence our choices, habits, and lifestyles.

Identifying Our Influences

In our lives, there are people who have a profound effect on us. They help nurture us and help us grow as individuals. They may or may not know the effect they had on us. They may have been teachers who taught us in a way that made us want to achieve, as they saw something in us that we could not see in ourselves. Or, maybe they were friends or bosses who saw something special in us and gave us the chance to grow and excel.

Write down on a piece of paper the names of at least two people who have had a profound effect on you. (You can use your pre-assignment to help you think through this exercise.)

Person #1: _________________________________

Person #2: _________________________________

Identifying Their Qualities

What do you admire about these people? Pick from the list or choose your own term (or terms) that describe what you admire about the people you chose. Pick at least five and a maximum of 10.