Personal Values Explained: 7 Examples of Personal Values

Personal values are your central beliefs and the tenets that guide your actions. These principles influence your behavior and personality traits and guide you through success and challenging times. These individual values inform your decision-making, aspirations, and relationships with loved ones.

You can learn personal values from the people around you or develop them on your own through personal growth. Children often adopt most of their values from the family members in their lives, but they start to build their own value systems as they age.

Having a clear set of personal values is important because it helps identify the actions and initiatives that make you feel fulfilled, promoting your well-being and self-respect. When your actions align with your values, you’re more likely to feel satisfied with your decisions and relationships. Personal values are also important because they help you develop a sense of morality, ensuring your actions are consistent with your beliefs.

Just as personalities vary, individual values differ, and your list of personal values may change over time based on your life experiences. Understanding different values can help you thrive in your professional and personal life. Here are a few examples of personal values:

1. 1. Adventure: Exploring different parts of the world or trying new activities may give you a sense of excitement and satisfaction. For some people, adventure keeps their life interesting, providing them with the opportunity to experience as much as possible.
2. 2. Collaboration: Teamwork is another common personal value, one crucial in the workplace. If you value collaboration over independence, pursue jobs that emphasize teamwork. Finding outlets that allow you to partner with different people and work toward a common goal can help you feel motivated and inspired.
3. 3. Creativity: Mental stimulation can be an important personal value. Developing new ideas and fostering a sense of originality in your work can help you feel satisfied if you value creativity. Creativity is central for artists, writers, and designers.
4. 4. Family: Prioritizing quality time with family is a common social value. You may feel happiest when surrounded by the people you love. If family is a core value for you, set goals to make time each day to spend with your friends and family.
5. 5. Independence: For some people, working alone and being able to perform daily tasks on their terms gives them a sense of purpose. Dependability may hinder their self-reliance and diminish their sense of hard work.
6. 6. Kindness: Living for others is a moral value that plays a vital role in developing a personal value system. If you feel inspired by doing good for others, altruism may be a necessary value in your life.
7. 7. Leadership: While some individuals thrive in an independent setting, others shine when leading a group. Leadership is another essential principle to consider as you discover your own values. You may develop a strong sense of self and purpose from leading a team and initiating continuous improvements at your workplace. Organizational behavior psychologists consider individuals’ preferred group dynamic to help companies identify team leaders.

Reflecting on your values is a crucial step in personal development and helps you set goals for self-improvement. Follow these steps to develop your values:

1. 1. Research different types of values. Learning about different core values is a simple step in choosing your guiding principles. Review a list of core values, circling the terms that mean the most to you. During this stage, focus on familiarizing yourself with as many common values as possible. This starting point helps you select meaningful values later on.
2. 2. Reflect on what makes you happy. Brainstorm moments when you feel most at peace. Think about when and where you are happiest in your daily life. Also, reflect on the cultural and family values that defined your childhood.
3. 3. Consider your role models. Take a moment to think about the mentors and role models in your life. Consider the aspects of their personality and daily actions you admire most. Thinking about why you respect your role models helps you develop a set of values that reflects the behavior you want to emulate.
4. 4. Identify your goals. After contemplating the social aspects of your life, consider your main aspirations. Create a list of goals from a professional and personal standpoint. Use your list of goals as a blueprint for choosing values that help you achieve your aspirations.
5. 5. Finalize your list of values. Select six to eight values that best represent your personality and everyday life. Write these values down, and display them as a daily reminder to live your life according to these guiding principles. Choosing a list of values will help you feel purposeful in your decisions and actions.

Figuring out what you want to do next and how to get there? Learn how to embrace your passions with a MasterClass Annual Membership and find the grit to take control of your life with exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Robin Arzón, Elaine Welteroth, Hillary Rodham Clinton, RuPaul, and more.