Sticking to your personal values seems simple enough in theory, yet often we find ourselves at a crossroads, unsure of how to prioritize them. The HIGH5 strengths test not only helps you identify these core values but also aligns them with your inherent strengths. This alignment is crucial as it turns the theoretical understanding of your values into practical, actionable insights, making it easier to live by them every day.
However, the vast majority of individuals are putting their values aside each and every day. This prevents them from living a fulfilling life and achieving many of the value-driven goals they previously had in mind. Regardless of which career you have or which specific goals you have, values should always be prioritized. While this can clearly be challenging at times, everyone is also capable of living a value-oriented lifestyle.
In this article, we will discuss the most common personal values and the benefits of placing value on values.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
To truly live by your values, start by taking the HIGH5 strengths test to identify which of your strengths can best support your core values. This will help you make decisions that are not only good but also feel right to you.
What are personal values?
Personal values are the real priorities you have in life. They are anything that you find immensely important and the characteristics that drive you to pursue your dreams and shape the way you approach decisions.
For instance, one common value is honesty. People who value honesty believe that always telling the truth is extremely important. They speak their mind, even if it means giving negative criticism. If they sugarcoat something, they may feel like they have not upheld their value.
Everyone has their own unique, exhaustive list of values. While someone’s values list includes cooperation and friendliness, someone else may prioritize independence and competitiveness. There is no objective right or wrong value. Define your values by what motivates you and what makes you happy, even if it seems strange to others.
28 examples of personal values
Everyone has their own unique set of values, but sometimes it can be hard to narrow them down and identify values that are reasonable to you. If you are struggling to find your values, the following list of values may help inspire you:
- Accountability
- Adventure
- Compassion
- Achievement
- Beauty
- Commitment
- Ambition
- Balance
- Boldness
- Community
- Curiosity
- Altruism
- Challenge
- Discipline
- Equality
- Freedom
- Pleasure
- Wealth
- Friendship
- Kindness
- Determination
- Learning
- Openness
- Gratitude
- Confidence
- Persistence
- Creativity
- Independence
- Intelligence
- Honesty
- Loyalty
- Authenticity
- Dependability
- Justice
- Compassion
- Security
- Fitness
- Health
- Peace
- Leadership
- Personal development
- Patience
- Encouragement
- Flexibility
- Accuracy
- Capable
- Fairness
- Fortitude
- Selfless
- Respect
- Teamwork
- Thankful
- Trustworthy
- Valor
- Wisdom
- Winning
- Skill
- Dignity
- Drive
- Order
- Optimism
Accountability
Taking ownership of your actions means stepping up and facing the consequences, good or bad. It’s about owning your journey and making no excuses – only results.
Adventure
Life is too short for routine; seek out the thrill of the unknown. Embrace every opportunity to break new ground and inject excitement into your life.
Compassion
Real strength lies in understanding and caring for others. Empathy is the bridge that connects hearts and fuels genuine human connection.
Achievement
Success isn’t accidental; it’s the result of setting ambitious goals and relentlessly pursuing them. Celebrate every milestone as a testament to your hard work.
Beauty
Beauty elevates the soul, whether in art, nature, or human kindness. Strive to create and appreciate the aesthetic pleasures around you.
Commitment
Commitment is the backbone of success. Whether in business or personal endeavors, staying dedicated separates the achievers from the dreamers.
Ambition
Ambition fuels the journey to greatness. It’s that inner fire driving you to constantly seek more, do more, and be more.
Balance
A well-balanced life is essential for sustained success. It’s about juggling work, rest, and play to maintain overall well-being and productivity.
Boldness
Fortune favors the bold. Step out of your comfort zone, take calculated risks, and dare to make big moves.
Community
No one succeeds alone. Build a strong network and contribute to your community—your support system is your greatest asset.
Curiosity
Never stop asking questions. Curiosity drives innovation and opens doors to new possibilities and knowledge.
Altruism
True success includes lifting others as you climb. Practice selflessness and make a positive impact on those around you.
Challenge
Challenges are opportunities in disguise. Embrace them with open arms, as they build character and resilience.
Discipline
Discipline is the cornerstone of excellence. Stay focused, adhere to your principles, and maintain control over your impulses.
Equality
Champion fairness and equality in all endeavors. True progress comes from creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.
Freedom
Cherish and protect your independence. Freedom empowers you to make choices that align with your values and goals.
Pleasure
Life isn’t all work; savor the pleasures. Enjoy the moments that bring joy and satisfaction, fueling your drive to succeed.
Wealth
Financial freedom is a key aspect of a fulfilling life. Pursue wealth not just for its own sake but for the opportunities it brings.
Friendship
Strong friendships are a source of strength and joy. Invest in these relationships as they provide unwavering support.
Kindness
Kindness costs nothing but means everything. Small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect of positivity.
Determination
Determination is the relentless pursuit of your goals despite obstacles. It’s about never giving up until you achieve what you set out to do.
Learning
Commit to lifelong learning. Knowledge is power, and continuous education is the key to staying ahead.
Openness
Keep an open mind. Being receptive to new ideas and experiences broadens your horizons and fuels growth.
Gratitude
Practice gratitude daily. Recognizing and appreciating your blessings enriches your life and keeps you grounded.
Confidence
Confidence is your best asset. Believe in your capabilities and let your self-assurance propel you forward.
Persistence
Persistence is the fuel that powers success. Keep pushing through challenges with unwavering resolve.
Creativity
Unleash your creativity. Innovation and original ideas set you apart and drive progress.
Independence
Strive for independence. Relying on your own skills and resources fosters growth and self-sufficiency.
Intelligence
Cultivate your intelligence. Sharpen your mind and use your understanding to navigate complex situations.
Honesty
Honesty is the foundation of trust. Be truthful and transparent in all your dealings.
Loyalty
Loyalty builds strong, lasting relationships. Show unwavering support to those who matter.
Authenticity
Be authentic. True success comes from being genuine and true to your core values.
Dependability
Be someone others can rely on. Dependability fosters trust and solidifies your reputation.
Justice
Stand up for justice. Ensure fairness and moral integrity in all your actions.
Security
Strive for security. A stable and safe environment allows you to pursue your goals with confidence.
Fitness
Prioritize fitness. Physical health boosts your energy and sharpens your mind, essential for peak performance.
Health
Health is wealth. Focus on maintaining both physical and mental well-being to thrive in all aspects of life.
Peace
Seek peace. A tranquil and harmonious life fosters clarity and happiness.
Leadership
Lead by example. Effective leadership inspires and guides others toward collective success.
Personal Development
Commit to personal development. Continuous growth and self-improvement are keys to long-term success.
Patience
Practice patience. Tolerating delays and challenges with calmness leads to better decision-making.
Encouragement
Encourage others. Your support and uplifting words can significantly impact their journey.
Flexibility
Stay flexible. Adapting to new situations and changes ensures you remain resilient and versatile.
Accuracy
Value accuracy. Precision and correctness in your actions build credibility and trust.
Capable
Show your capability. Demonstrating competence and skill earns respect and opens doors.
Fairness
Champion fairness. Treat everyone equally and justly to build a strong, principled foundation.
Fortitude
Exhibit fortitude. Courage in adversity defines your strength and character.
Selflessness
Be selfless. Putting others’ needs before your own creates a positive, supportive environment.
Respect
Show respect. Consideration and esteem for others foster mutual respect and cooperation.
Teamwork
Embrace teamwork. Collaboration and collective effort amplify success and achieve greater results.
Thankful
Be thankful. Expressing gratitude enhances your appreciation for life and its blessings.
Trustworthy
Be trustworthy. Reliability and honesty are the cornerstones of strong, lasting relationships.
Valor
Show valor. Courage and bravery in the face of challenges inspire others and drive you forward.
Wisdom
Pursue wisdom. Knowledge and good judgment are invaluable assets in navigating life’s complexities.
Winning
Aim to win. Striving for success and victory keeps you focused and motivated.
Skill
Hone your skills. Proficiency and expertise set you apart and drive excellence.
Dignity
Maintain dignity. Self-respect and honor uphold your integrity and inspire respect from others.
Drive
Show drive. Strong motivation and ambition propel you towards your goals with relentless energy.
Order
Value order. Organization and structure provide clarity and efficiency in all your endeavors.
Optimism
Stay optimistic. A positive and hopeful outlook fuels resilience and propels you through challenges.
Benefits and Importance of Having Values
Personal values are your compass in a world of choices, guiding you to happiness and fulfillment. By taking the HIGH5 strengths test, you can enhance this guidance system with a deep understanding of your strengths, ensuring your values and career choices are perfectly aligned. This not only maximizes your happiness but also ensures every decision contributes to your ultimate life goals.
Values drive each and every one of our actions, so it is important to ensure your values are consistent and clearly thought out. While there is a huge list of benefits to having values, below is just 10 examples of their benefits:
Benefits of Personal Values
- Increases self-awareness.
- Positively influence career outcomes, likely leading to a more fulfilling and successful career.
- Boost the quality of one’s daily life.
- Helps individuals make sounder decisions.
- Assists people in goal-setting (especially when it comes to big, long-term goals).
- Boosts confidence.
- Can help you become more persistent and get you through a tough time.
- Eliminates clutter and unnecessary distractions from work or in relationships.
- Reduces stress levels and burnout rates.
- Encourages more assertive behavior.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Regularly review the results of your HIGH5 strengths test to see how your top strengths can support the personal values you hold dear. This ongoing alignment process will help you make choices that lead to a more successful and fulfilling career.
How do you define and identify your personal values? Step-by-step guide
Defining your values through self-exploration is deeply enriching, yet it can be daunting. The HIGH5 strengths test simplifies this process by highlighting your natural strengths, providing a clearer picture of what truly drives you and aligning it with your life’s trajectory. This not only clarifies your values but also empowers you to pursue them with confidence.
There are a number of crucial steps you should take before identifying your values, and there are simple ways to optimize your value application. Below is an outline of how to identify and apply your values:
Step 1: Identify the times when you were happiest
Happiness and satisfaction are two metrics that are crucially important to your life experience. One of the main purposes of having values to guide you is to identify what specifically makes you happy.
Try to look back on both your career and personal life to see what truly made you smile. This will add variety and balance to your answers. Ask yourself: what tasks was I performing? Who was I surrounded by? Where was I? Did anything else contribute to my happiness at that moment?
Step 2: Identify the times when you were most proud
Everyone has some moment that they feel extremely proud of. Whether it be overcoming a fear, challenging yourself, or something else, look back at the career and personal instances where you felt proud. Recall why you were proud, who contributed to your pride, who shared the pride with you (if anyone), and any other factors that made you swell with pride.
Step 3: Identify the times when you were most fulfilled and satisfied
Satisfaction and fulfillment must be achieved both professionally and personally to truly live the best life possible. That is why it is crucial to (again) consider both personal and career examples of moments where you felt fulfilled. Which specific need was fulfilled? Did this moment give you any long-lasting meaning/impact? Did any other factor make you feel satisfied?
Step 4: Determine your top values, based on your experiences of happiness, pride, and fulfillment
Look back on each of the prior instances you have recalled. Why are they memorable to you? Which value motivated you to achieve something, better yourself, or boost your happiness? There is a list of dozens of values that could have potentially contributed to your satisfaction, happiness, and pride, so reflect on those moments and analyze which of these values contributed most to these moments.
Step 5: Prioritize your top values
This step could be the most challenging, as it requires deep personal reflection and commitment. When making any decision, a value will be upheld. However, you need to ensure that those values are aligned with the ones you previously outlined.
Try writing down your top values. Then, imagine a scenario where you could only satisfy one of these values. Consider which one you would prioritize, and compare each of your values until you have your values ranked in order of importance.
Step 6: Reaffirm your values
Look back on the list you have just created and ensure it satisfies your goals, desires, and vision for your future. Ask yourself: do these values reflect me as a person? Would I be comfortable sharing them with those I care about? Am I proud of these values? If you answered yes to these questions, you have likely selected the right values for your own unique journey.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Utilize the insights from your HIGH5 strengths test to pinpoint values that resonate most with your natural abilities. This will help you focus on areas where you can excel and feel most fulfilled.
How do you prioritise your values?
Once you have a list of your top values, prioritizing certain values is essential. There will be times when you have to choose between fulfilling one value or another and making the right decision is crucial in such circumstances.
Also, prioritizing values helps you better understand yourself and your goals. You may have a relatively broad list of values that includes everything from adventure to cooperation to kindness, and so on.
However, value prioritization makes planning decisions simpler. For instance, if you clearly prioritize risk-taking, you can plan to start a new business as your top goal. On the other hand, if you value kindness, you can put an emphasis on volunteering in your free time.
Of course, you should try living according to all your values. However, it’s unrealistic to think all your values can be fulfilled with every decision. You need to understand what is most important to you and focus on those particular value-based tasks, as they will have the greatest payoff.
How do you adapt and change your values when needed?
It is possible that your values may need to change throughout your life. While some of your core values will probably remain with you, others may change as you get Jew goals, insights, opportunities, and experience.
Even if your values do stay the same, their order of priority may change. When you are young, you are more likely to prioritize risk-taking or creativity. As you get older and start a family, you may begin to value security and fiscal stability more.
After divorce, you may begin to value exploration more. As you can see, values are dependent on your current situation and can change from time to time. Check-in to see if your values change. Create a new set of values, prioritize them, and see if anything changes from the prior brainstorming session.
Do this at least once a year and after every major life event (divorce, new job, getting fired, extreme illness, etc). Reread your values more often, though. If you feel a value no longer represents your goals and vision, consider revising your list.
How do you use your values with integrity in everyday life?
Personal values guide decision-making and behavior, ensuring alignment with what truly matters to you.
Here’s how to use your personal values effectively:
- Identify your core values: Reflect on what is most important to you in life. Use moments of happiness, pride, and fulfillment to pinpoint these values.
- Prioritize your values: Rank your values in order of importance. This helps in making decisions when values conflict.
- Align actions with values: Ensure your daily activities and decisions reflect your core values. Use them as a compass to guide your behavior and choices.
- Set value-based goals: Define clear goals that align with your values. This enhances motivation and satisfaction.
- Review and adapt: Regularly reassess your values to ensure they still resonate with your goals and circumstances. Adapt as needed to stay aligned with your evolving life.
- Integrate values in decision-making: Before making significant decisions, consider if they uphold your values. Choose options that best reflect your core principles.
Merely listing out your values is a solid beginning, yet realignment requires deeper action. Integrating the HIGH5 strengths test into your routine offers a practical approach to ensure your actions consistently reflect your values. By understanding your unique strengths, you can tailor your daily activities and decisions to embody these values more authentically and effectively.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
After identifying your strengths with the HIGH5 test, create a daily checklist that aligns these strengths with your core values. This methodical approach helps maintain integrity in your actions and decisions, ensuring you live a value-driven life each day.
How to use personal values in your professional life?
Applying personal values in your professional life can lead to greater job satisfaction and success. Consider these steps:
- Align career with values: Choose a career or role that reflects your core values. This ensures your work feels meaningful and fulfilling.
- Make value-based decisions: Use your values as a guide when making professional decisions. This helps maintain integrity and consistency in your actions.
- Set professional goals: Establish career objectives that align with your values. This enhances motivation and direction in your professional growth.
- Foster a value-centric work environment: Promote a workplace culture that supports and reflects your values. Encourage colleagues to do the same.
- Communicate your values: Be open about your values with colleagues and supervisors. This fosters understanding and collaboration.
- Evaluate job fit: Regularly assess if your current job aligns with your values. If there’s a misalignment, consider seeking roles or adjustments that better match your principles.
By integrating your personal values into your professional life, you can achieve greater alignment, satisfaction, and effectiveness in your career.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Use the insights from your HIGH5 strengths assessment to develop strategies that respect both your personal values and the values of those around you. For example, if your strengths include innovation and your family prioritizes security, you might find safe yet creative ways to explore new opportunities without jeopardizing family stability.
Personal Values FAQ
What are the top 5 core personal values?
There are a few common values that are prioritized by people across the globe. These include values such as kindness, honesty, loyalty, responsibility, and courage.
What are examples of beliefs?
Every person has a list of beliefs, even if they are subconscious. Beliefs share your outlook on the world around you as well as on yourself. They can be connected to values.
Some examples of beliefs include: I am confident, hard work is important, I am skilled, others will help me if I need support, people are generally good-natured, free will guides human action, failure is an opportunity to grow, and so on.
What are 10 personal values?
Ten examples of personal values include authenticity, hard work, dedication or commitment, empathy, creativity, rationality, integrity, honesty, independence, and tolerance.
What are the 5 main values?
Five of the most common and widely known values include integrity, accountability, diligence, perseverance, and discipline. These values can be applied virtually anywhere. They are used in the workplace, in relationships, at schools, and within sports teams.
