personal statement values

Tips to Ace Your Personal Value Statement (With Templates!)

A personal value statement can give you a competitive edge! Write a statement to help you land the job and align your decisions with your goals.

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This is the perfect time to create your personal value statement!

What Is a Personal Value Statement?

A personal value statement is a short overview of what you value and how those values make you the best match for a job. A personal value statement helps clarify what matters and gives you a competitive edge over other applicants. 

What’s the Difference Between a Personal Statement and a Personal Value Statement?

A personal statement or a statement of purpose is what you include in your application for university. If you’re looking for a job, you’ll use a personal value statement for applying to jobs. You can also use it to ground your goals and get clear on your mission.

Examples of Personal Value Statements:

Here are some examples of personal value statements:

• Equal parts marketing strategist and tactician, a high-energy, roll-up-your-sleeves leader who knows how to get things done within an environment built on teamwork, integrity, and respect. A servant leader who takes great pride in watching members of the team grow into successful leadership positions. — Steve Einig, Marketing & Communication Strategist
• Throughout my career, I’ve worked to promote equity and integrity in an industry that has been slow to adjust. With determination and an untiring commitment to integrity, I’ve worked to build bridges and bring about change through high-stakes negotiations.  
• While some people might hate change, I thrive on it. I create strategies that are focused on creativity and innovation to make sure my clients are constantly growing and reaching the next level of success. 

When Should I Use a Personal Value Statement?

A personal value statement is versatile, and once you’ve written it, you’ll be able to adapt it and use it in several ways. You can also use it personally and professionally.

• Professionally: You can put your personal value statement at the top of your resume, as a part of your cover letter, in place of a cover letter, if they don’t request one, on your LinkedIn profile, and as preparation for job interviews. It can also help you identify if a job fits you (do their values align with yours?).
• Personally: Put it on a post-it note on your mirror to see every morning. Put it on a reminder on your phone. Post it on your online profiles or dating profiles so people know what you are all about.

5 Steps to Write Your Personal Value Statement

We get it if you feel uncomfortable writing down or discussing your best traits. But, writing your value statement will prepare you for the dreaded, “So tell me about yourself.” or “What are your best traits?”. 

To overcome the discomfort of approaching this, remember this— you’re not bragging about yourself. It may feel like it, and if the thought makes your mind go completely blank, don’t worry. We’re going to take you through this step-by-step. 

Step #1: Pinpoint What You Value

To start, you won’t think about what makes you fantastic. Set that aside for a minute and think about what you value. 

Don’t censor yourself. 

Write down a list of everything that comes to mind. 

Can’t think of anything? Ask yourself these questions. The answers will help you find some of your values. 

• What makes me feel safe?
• What makes me feel successful?
• What makes me feel valued?
• In friendships, what do I appreciate?
• At work, I respect coworkers who…
• In my family, I need…

44 Values to Get You Started

Step #2: Cut Your List Down

Now that you have a big, beautiful list of values, start thinking about yourself. What you value in life, and others is usually one of two things: the qualities you excel in or the qualities you wish you had. 

• Read through your list and highlight the five most important qualities.
• Next, go back and highlight three qualities that you possess.
• Make a new list with those three qualities. 

Step #3: Get Real

Now that you have a list of three to five values, think about what those values look like in real life. Because this is a personal value statement, think primarily about your work history. 

For example, if one of your values is “authenticity,” think about when this value guided your actions at work. Write one sentence to define what the value means to you within the work context. 

For example:

Authenticity: Meaning what I say and then doing it. Letting others know they can trust my words and that my actions will correspond to what I communicate.  

Independence: Having the capacity and freedom to direct my actions and take the responsibility to complete my tasks without needing unnecessary help.

As you can imagine, how you define values will be specific to you. You may see independence and authenticity in a very different light than our examples!

Step #4: Be Relevant

This is where you make your personal value statement an asset for your application process. 

Now that you’ve defined your core values, apply them to the job you want. Get as specific as possible, and correlate your values to the company’s or specific job’s values. 

Many companies have a spot on their website that details their mission, vision, and values. You can also learn a lot from the job listing or even the company tagline. Look for clues, and write down what values you feel they are looking for. Then compare that to your values.

If there’s a big disconnect, you may want to reconsider whether you wish to apply. If the values align, keep going! Take the definitions you wrote and start crafting a statement with this outline.

• Lead with a statement about your experience and connect that with how your values impact your work. Keep this between one to three sentences. 
• Start with your number one value and share how that connects to your experience and work. You can expand this to include more than one value, but avoid making a laundry list of your values. 
• Make a connection between your values and the values of the company.
• Think about the specific role you are applying for and what they say in the job description. Identify one or two values that make you a good fit for that particular role. 

Keep reading for specific examples! 

Special note: If you want to use a personal value statement on your dating profile, think about what values you would like to attract in a mate.

Step #5: Refine and Revise 

Once you’ve written your value statement, it’s important to make edits for grammar and clarity. Even if you’re a grammarian with fantastic writing skills, use an extra tool like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to help you with the editing process. Professional writers never publish a first draft, so don’t expect to send your value statement on your first draft! 

If you have time, set your value statement aside for a week, and don’t look at it. That will enable you to come to it with fresh eyes to catch sentences that don’t make sense, aren’t interesting, or don’t flow as well as they could. 

Pro Tip: Ask a mentor or friend to read your value statement. Someone who knows you well may have ideas of how to strengthen your statement. 

• Be specific. The person reading your statement is busy! Do them a favor by quickly communicating who you are and why they should hire you. 
• Be genuine. It might be tempting to pick values you think are important, but interviewers want to know who you are, not who you think you should be. When you’re genuine, that gets communicated, and people will respond positively.  
• Keep it short. A good length to aim for is a couple of paragraphs—between 50-250 words.

Don’t do this…

• Make a list of your accomplishments. You’ve already written your resume (hopefully!); there’s no need to rehash it here.  
• Include negative qualities. We all have that negative quality we’re secretly proud of—but don’t add it here. You may think you can put a positive spin on being stubborn, inflexible, or impatient, but it could harm your chances of getting the job. 
• Ramble. A personal value statement should be short and concise. You don’t need to include everything you value; instead, focus on your top 3-5.

We see all that potential waiting to take the world by storm! Get the tools you need to become a better communicator and accomplish your goals. 

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Have a question about the presentation or People School? Email Science of People support .

How to Tailor Your Statement to Different Jobs and Industries (With 4 Examples)

If you plan on applying for multiple positions or industries, write one statement and tailor it for each application. 

As you review your statement, you’ll notice values overlap with other industries or positions. When that’s the case, tweak some of your words to make them suitable for the specific job you’re applying to. 

We’ve made a list of top values by industry to give you a clear perspective on what different jobs may require of you. Plus, we’ve included sample value statements with outlines so you can write your own! 

Top Values for Marketing and Communication

• Collaboration
• Responsibility
• Flexibility

Top Values for Banking and Finance

• Confidentiality
• Accountability
• Independence

Top Values for the Medical Industry

• Reliability
• Friendliness

Top Values in Business

• Perseverance
• Adaptability

Once you know what values are important to your industry, use our examples below to get writing! 

How to Craft a Compelling LinkedIn Personal Value Statement 

After spending seven years in digital communication, I’ve learned the best relationship with clients comes when they trust the integrity of my work. Whether writing web copy or responding to emails, I strive for deep authenticity and integrity. 

Clients have appreciated my innovation and flexibility; these are all values I see in your company. I will be an asset to your team and can easily fit into your company culture. 

Write Your Own: 

• Next, connect your values and work experience with the company you are applying to.
• Finish with a statement about what you will bring to the company.

How to Make a Connection With Your Personal Value Statement

Dear (Insert name),

When I discovered you mentor women, I knew I wanted to work for you. I have spent the last six years mentoring women to succeed in finance, which, as you know, is an industry where women are still underrepresented. 

My passion for equity and inclusion is only rivaled by my devotion to confidentiality and integrity. As Corporate Finance Manager, I would balance completing tasks on my own with maximizing profits as a team. 

I would value the opportunity to discuss this position further and how I can positively impact the company’s financial health.

Kind Regards,

(Your name) 

• Open by connecting your values to the values of the person you are writing to. This will immediately catch their attention and make them more likely to keep reading. If you have a personal connection, make sure you lead with that! 
• Detail how your values are related to the role you are applying for.
• End with a request to discuss your value proposition, and include a teaser to show you have strategically considered your role in their company. 

How to Create Interest With a Story Based Personal Value Statement

Growing up, I dreamed of being a medical worker who saved the world with a stethoscope and bandaids. While my dreams have matured into a more balanced and realistic perspective, I continue to be motivated by a desire to help sick and hurting people. 

That desire has also expanded into a passion for justice and equity in medical care. The more I work with patients, the more I am driven to provide compassionate care. Patients describe me as friendly and kind, and I’ve been recognized for my devotion to ethics and empathy. 

• The medical field is one of those jobs where people want to know why you’re in the industry, but even if you aren’t in medicine, telling a story is a unique way to catch attention. Try opening with a short story that gives a sense of humanity to the value statement. Make sure the story connects to your current values. 
• Expand on your values and describe how your patients, clients, staff, or employers view your work. 

How to Challenge Industry Perceptions With Your Personal Value Statement

Business isn’t about numbers. It’s about people. I thrive on turning around failed projects and floundering companies others have given up on. 

Throughout my career, I’ve earned the trust of both individuals and companies through diligence and commitment to integrity. I’ve maintained these relationships over the eight years I’ve spent helping people succeed.  

• Open your statement with a hook that challenges perceptions about your industry. Just be careful not to do this in a way that could be seen as arrogant or rude. Avoid this by expanding the vision of what people usually think of rather than dismissing industry standards or norms. 
• Lead into how your values have contributed to your success. 
• Wrap it up with a compelling statement that makes you stand out. 

The Advantages of Having a Personal Value Statement

These are the top four advantages of having a personal value statement. 

• A personal value statement can give you a competitive edge. 
• It acts as an anchor for making decisions. 
• Helps you accomplish your goals.
• It’s easy to change it as your values change.

Let’s look at these more closely. 

Whether you’re applying for your first job or you’ve been in the workforce for years, you need something you can reference when facing big decisions. 

Regularly questioning yourself is a good habit to adopt. Ask yourself, 

• Am I living the life I would like to? If not, why? 
• Is my job in-line with my vision and values?
• If I do X, will that take me away from what I value or towards it? 
• If I say yes/no to this, will I go against what I value? 

Having a personal value statement makes answering these questions a lot easier. Plus, writing down your values is like putting down boundaries around what you will and will not do. That helps you accomplish your goals instead of being distracted by good but unnecessary things. 

Even if you never face a big, dramatic, ethical dilemma, you will have to make decisions that could take you away from what you value. Sometimes that happens when you make decisions that look good but aren’t good for you. 

Another great thing about having a personal value statement is you can change it! What you value today might change with time, and that’s fine. 

Give yourself the freedom to shift your values as the seasons and rhythms of your life change. 

Along with a personal value statement, having professional development goals will provide a roadmap to success. Check out our 25 Professional Development Goals to Help You Succeed . 

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35 Personal Values Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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Personal values are the values that you hold dearest to your heart. They’re central to your sense of yourself as an ethical being.

We will often also call them our core values .

We develop our personal values from our cultural and social context. Our families, cultures, and societies give us values that are passed down from generation to generation.

Religion is another important place where people source their inspiration and values. Many religions encourage us to embrace personal values like charity, goodwill, and justice.

Personal Values Examples

1. Family – Family values are moral and ethical principles of typical family life, including sacrificing for loved ones, putting your loved ones first, and keeping your loved ones at the center of your thoughts and actions.

2. Loyalty – Loyalty might be a core personal value to you if you highly prize friends that are reliable and trustworthy. You might put your friends or chosen family first, always being there for them when they need you.

3. Compassion – A compassionate person is someone who prioritizes caring for others and feeling sympathetic for people in need of help and protection.

Related Article: 25 Humility Examples

4. Fairness – If you value fairness, you might be highly sensitive to situations at school or in the workplace where a teacher or a peer has exhibited favoritism or allowed someone to get away with living by a different set of rules to everyone else.

5. Honesty – You may highly value telling people the truth. This one gets tricky when being honest can be hurtful to others. So, a person who really puts honesty first might be the sort of person who will tell the truth even if it hurts to do so.

6. Generosity – This may be a core value of yours if you cherish people who will give their time and resources to people in need. You may consider yourself to be a generous person if you find joy and meaning in giving to others.

Related Article: 17 Best Adversity Examples

7. Integrity – Integrity is the quality of having strong moral principles. So, a person with integrity will always act with honesty and adhere to their own moral code regardless of what others do.

8. Perseverance – People who value perseverance will work through adversity and be determined to get a result. This is a great treat for employees and entrepreneurs alike.

9. Trustworthiness – A trustworthy person is someone who others can rely on to keep their commitments, maintain integrity when people aren’t looking, and keep the secrets of others. This might be valuable for a manger-level employee who is trusted with money-making decisions.

10. Courageousness – If you value courage, it means that you highly respect people who are willing to take risks and stand up for what they believe in even when the going gets tough.

11. Self-Discipline – If you value self-discipline, you might be a person who wakes up early, exercises daily, and doesn’t get distracted by vices.

12. Humility – You might highly value humility if you find yourself disgusted by people who are arrogant or braggadocious, and instead find yourself gravitating to people who are always expressing their gratefulness for the blessings in their life.

13. Kindness – If you value kindness, you’ll likely always be respectful of people around you, be gentle with criticism, and always willing to welcome people with open arms.

Related Article: 8 Types of Values

14. Individual Responsibility – If you value individual responsibility, you respect people who get up and work hard for what they’ve got, don’t ask for hand-outs, and will always expect higher of themselves.

15. Gratitude – You value gratitude if you find yourself respecting people who say please and thank you. If you’re a religious person who values gratitude, you may always insist on praying before eating your dinner.

16. Empathy – If you value empathy, you may find yourself gravitating toward people who can put themselves in the shoes of others. You, personally, may find yourself feeling for the sick or downtrodden and wanting to do something to help them.

17. Patience – A person who has patience as a core personal value is going to prioritize giving their time to others. They will sit down and be calm while waiting for others. This is a great trait for a teacher.

Related Article: Values in Sociology – Explained.

18. Open-Mindedness – An open-minded person is someone who is always willing to hear new points of view and even change their own point of view if new arguments are highly convincing. It’s the opposite of stubbornness.

19. Thoughtfulness – You may highly value people who are thoughtful. If this is you, then you might find yourself rolling your eyes at people who are full of bluster and never stop to reflect on their own actions.

20. Optimism – Some people are perpetual optimists. They value optimism , perhaps because by being optimistic, you are more willing to have a go at achieving even unattainable goals. You may also be more willing to persevere through hard times.

21. Altruism – If you highly value altruism, then you value people who do good deeds for the intrinsic value of those good deeds, and not in order to feel good about themselves or get something out of it.

22. Tolerance and Diversity – If you value tolerance and diversity , then you’re likely very comfortable with multiculturalism and want to encourage people to live and respect the wide variety of cultures and traditions that exist in modern society.

23. Forgiveness – Forgiveness is a central value in Christianity. It emphasizes the importance of redemption and getting a second chance. If this is a personal value of yours, then you likely don’t hold grudges and want to move forward and see the best of people in the future.

See Also: Personal Credo Examples

24. Being True to Yourself – This value is all about making sure people are not hiding who they really are in order to satisfy others. Instead, it thinks that humans flourish when they are living their best life.

25. Community – If you value community, then you are someone who might do a lot of volunteering and find meaning and purpose in being a member of a community group.

26. Social Justice – If social justice is central to your personal value set, then you likely want to see the oppressed and downtrodden get better treatment. You might advocate for fairness in your workplace and want to dedicate your time and resources to stamping out discrimination.

27. Dependability – If you value being dependable, then you might make sure you always turn up 5 minutes ahead of time so you’re never late and you never miss a deadline. If you say you’re going to do something, you will do it.

28. Work Ethic – Work ethic is a personal value that’s great to mention in an interview or CV. It means that you always put your head down and work your heart out to do a good job. You’ll never be found slacking off!

29. Respect – The value of respect reminds us that we should always be polite and caring for others. Even when someone disrespects us, we hold ourselves to higher regard and always treat people with the respect that we want to be treated with.

30. Compromise – The value of compromise is a very wise value. It involves recognizing that you will never get your own way, but by getting people together to reach an agreement, you can achieve great outcomes for all.

31. Playfulness – Playfulness is a value if you think it’s inherently important for living a good life. You might think that taking time off for relaxation and play is incredibly important for you, and that you’ll make sure you never let work take over life.

32. Pragmatism – A pragmatist values setting goals that are achievable. You’re the opposite of a dreamer. Instead, you have aspirations, but the most important thing to you is that you set yourself to tasks that you know can succeed at.

33. Environmentalism – Environmentalism may be a core value to you if you think it’s extremely important to care for the environment and natural world. It’s even more of a personal value if you act on it by limiting your waste, driving less, and buying ethical products.

34. Independence – Independence is important to you if you refuse to be tied to a job or a partner. Many modern-day women, for example, want to maintain their independent identity even while having a partner who they love.

35. Individual Liberty – If you value individual liberty, then you respect other people’s rights to make decisions for their own lives. It tries to ensure people don’t impose themselves on others. However, this rubs up against communitarian values where you need to do things for the greater good.

See Also: 65 Personal Identity Examples

Determining your Core Personal Values

When coming up with what your personal values framework, have a think about what’s important to you and what inspires you. Some sources can include:

1. What are your Family’s Values?

Our parents are the first people who teach us the difference between right and wrong. They lay the foundations for our lives by exposing us to stories that can help us build a moral framework, as well as exposing us to important influences like our church group or close family friends. Similarly, our siblings and cousins are often the first friends we have, and we learn right from wrong through playing with them.

2. What are your Religion’s Values?

Throughout history, societies have turned to religion for our values. Religious texts allow people to contemplate right from wrong and learn from a higher power about how we humans are expected to behave here on earth. Agnostic people may turn instead to philosophy for wise people who can teach us important lessons about right and wrong, and how to live a good life.

3. What are your Culture’s Values?

Each culture has a set of values around which it is oriented. We have western culture, for example, which values individual liberty and democracy. Similarly, in the United States, individual accountability is an important value. In societies like Denmark, care for the community is more heavily emphasized. You may embrace these sociocultural values as personal values if you find they resonate with you.

4. What are your Mentors’ Values?

There may be mentors in your life, such as teachers or coaches, who you admire for their wisdom and the way they behave. Reflect on why you respect them. Chances are, it’s because of the values they live by: respect, integrity, hard-work, or compassion.

5. Who are the People you Admire?

While a mentor might be a person in your life who you know personally, there may be other people you admire who are celebrities or politicians. For example, you might admire a sports star, actor, or philanthropist who is changing the world. Reflect on what values they have that make them admirable. This might be their work ethic that got them to the top, their humility in interviews, or their generosity in giving to the poor and needy.

6. What does Your Ideal World Look Like?

Reflect on the world you want. Consider what it looks like. It might have many of the values you embrace weaved into it. Your ideal world might be peaceful, compassionate, and fair. Or, it might be one full of wealth and pure meritocracy where the hard workers and people who take individual responsibility truly are the wealthiest and most successful of all.

Personal Values for a CV

The best personal values to include in a CV or resume are ones that demonstrate that you will be an excellent employee. For example, employers often want employees who:

• Have work ethic – This will show that you’re going to work very hard and not waste your employer’s money.
• Have integrity – This will show that you can be trusted, even when no one is looking.
• Value cooperation – In today’s workplaces, you need to work in teams to get jobs done. A person who works well in teams is a valuable asset to a company.
• Are optimistic – Your employer wants a positive person who will spread motivation and positivity around the workplace and to customers.

Go Deeper: Resume Skills Examples

Benefits of Clear Personal Value Sets

Having a clear value set has several important benefits . For example, it can help you to:

• Make decisions. If you know what you truly value, then you can use your values as a guide when making decisions – big and small! For example, it can help you make decisions about what career to go into (one that will help you exercise your values) or what to study at university.
• Work through difficulty. If you know who you are and what you value, then hard times are easier. You will have your values as a guiding star, reminding you to persevere and carry on through difficulty.
• Set goals. You’ll know what you value and what you want, meaning you will be able to identify exactly what you want out of a good life.
• Make social connections. By knowing who you are, you can gravitate to others who share your personal value set.

As you can see, there are many different personal values that can help shape our character and guide us through life as we interact with others, make decisions, and face challenges both large and small.

When telling others what your personal values are, make sure you state examples of personal values that are genuinely reflective of yourself, not just ones that you think sound good. People will know if you’ve not told the truth because you need to demonstrate and live by your personal values every day of your life.

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Green Flags in a Relationship
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Signs you're Burnt Out, Not Lazy
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Toxic Things Parents Say to their Children

1 thought on “35 Personal Values Examples”

Thank you for the articles that you have written and shared. I just finished reading two on humility and 35 Personal Values. You write in a way that engages the reader. That is something that I would like to do one day. I have some writing helps, I just don’t know how to get started. It is a worry that I end up writing and it won’t be good enough for publication. Your article on 35 Examples of Humility was very eye-opening and informative. These articles have been so helpful. Again, thank you for teaching more on both subjects.

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Crafting Your Personal Value Statement: Examples to Inspire Success

A personal value statement is a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal development. It is a concise declaration of the values that guide your actions, decisions, and behaviors.

What is a Personal Value Statement?

A personal value statement is a written statement that articulates your core values and beliefs. It serves as a compass, guiding you in making choices aligned with what truly matters to you. By identifying your values, you gain clarity about what is most important in your life and can align your actions accordingly.

Defining Personal Values

Personal values are the principles and standards that shape and define your character. They represent what you stand for and what you believe in. Personal values include integrity, honesty, respect, compassion, growth, and collaboration.

Exploring the Purpose and Benefits of a Personal Value Statement

A personal value statement helps you align your choices with your core values and create a life that is true to yourself. It provides a sense of direction, enhances decision-making, and fosters self-awareness. By living in alignment with your values, you experience greater fulfillment, satisfaction, and success.

Why Should You Create a Personal Value Statement?

Creating a personal value statement is essential for personal development and success. It allows you to define your guiding principles, set clear intentions, and make choices that align with your values. It ensures that your actions harmonize with your beliefs, leading to a more authentic and purposeful life.

Steps to Craft Your Personal Value Statement

• Reflect on Your Core Values: Identify your core values by considering what is truly important to you and what principles govern your life.
• Identify Your Goals and Aspirations: Determine your goals, dreams, and aspirations. Consider how your values can support and guide you in achieving these aspirations.
• Consider Your Strengths and Passions: Reflect on your strengths and passions. How can you align your values with your unique abilities and interests?
• Aligning Your Values with Your Life Choices: Evaluate your current choices and decisions. Assess whether they are in alignment with your values. Make adjustments as necessary to ensure consistency.

Examples of Personal Value Statements

• Prioritizing Growth and Learning: I commit to continuous personal and professional growth, embracing learning opportunities, and challenging myself to reach my full potential.
• Emphasizing Integrity and Ethics: I embody integrity and ethical behavior in all aspects of my life. I value honesty, transparency, and accountability treating others fairly and respectfully.
• Focusing on Collaboration and Teamwork: I believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork. I actively seek opportunities to work with others, valuing diversity and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Tips for Writing an Effective Personal Value Statement

• Be Clear and Concise: Use clear and straightforward language to keep your statement concise and easy to understand.
• Use Positive and Inspiring Language: Frame your values in a positive and uplifting manner, inspiring and motivating yourself and others.
• Make it Personal and Authentic: Write your statement in your voice, reflecting your unique personality and beliefs. Ensure it resonates with who you truly are.

How a Personal Value Statement Can Inspire Success

• Guiding Decision-Making and Prioritization: Your value statement helps you make decisions aligned with your core beliefs, ensuring your actions and choices harmonize with your values.
• Providing Motivation and a Sense of Purpose: By living according to your values, you cultivate a sense of purpose and motivation as you pursue what truly matters to you.
• Building Authentic Relationships and Connections: Your personal value statement attracts like-minded individuals and fosters authentic relationships based on shared values and principles.

Understanding the Importance of a Personal Value Statement

Recognizing the significance of a personal value or mission statement is crucial for personal and professional success. It offers clarity by identifying core beliefs and guiding principles, acting as a compass for decision-making and actions. Articulating our values enhances self-awareness, allowing us to align choices with our values and leading to fulfillment.

A personal value statement fosters authenticity and integrity, earning the trust and respect of others. Regularly reviewing it ensures it reflects our authentic selves, empowering purposeful living.

A personal value statement concisely expresses an individual’s core beliefs and principles, guiding their behavior and decisions, serving as a moral compass for living purposefully, and reflecting on what matters most. It provides clarity and direction, helping individuals prioritize actions aligned with their values for a life of intention and integrity. Personal value statements are unique and subject to evolution. Common values include integrity, compassion, honesty, growth, and respect.

Notably, a survey from Harvard Business Review shows that employees aligned with their company’s values are more engaged and satisfied.

Personal values are core principles that direct our behavior and choices, reflecting our beliefs and priorities in life. Defining personal values is crucial for personal growth and success. To do so, start by reflecting on your beliefs and identifying principles like honesty, compassion, or integrity that shape your character and decisions. Consider how these values align with your goals, whether they support your career or personal ambitions. Recognize that personal values reflect your strengths and passions, enhancing a more fulfilling life.

By defining personal goals and aligning personal values, you can navigate life choices more authentically and successfully, leading to greater satisfaction and purposeful living.

Exploring the purpose and benefits of a personal value statement empowers individuals to align their actions with their core values, guiding decision-making and goal-setting. Crafting a personal value statement helps clarify priorities, enabling individuals to identify and emphasize their values fostering choices aligned with what truly matters. This statement acts as a constant reminder of these priorities, maintaining focus and motivation, even in challenging times, and promoting self-awareness.

It also serves as a self-promotion tool, effectively conveying values and unique qualities to potential employers or clients, facilitating authentic connections with like-minded individuals, and contributing to higher satisfaction and well-being when actions align with core values.

Creating a personal value statement is crucial for clarity, motivation, and authentic relationships. It defines your core beliefs, aiding decision-making alignment with values. It fosters motivation and focus, even in challenges. It attracts like-minded individuals, enhancing relationships.

In career matters, it strengthens your research and value proposition and assesses job fit. Overall, it guides a purposeful life.

• The first step in crafting your personal value statement is to reflect on your core values. Consider what virtues and beliefs are most important to you.
• Next, identify your goals and aspirations. Determine what you want to achieve in your personal and professional life.
• Consider your strengths and passions. Think about what activities and skills you excel at and what brings you joy.
• Align your values with your life choices. Ensure that your actions and decisions align with your core values.

Reflect on Your Core Values

• Take time for self-reflection: Set aside moments of solitude to reflect on your core values and contemplate your beliefs, principles, and what you hold dear.
• Identify your fundamental values: Consider the qualities and ideals that define who you are and what you stand for. Reflect on your core values and consider if they include honesty, compassion, resilience, creativity, or any other values that resonate with you.
• Consider your actions: Reflect on your core values and think about times when you felt most fulfilled, satisfied, or proud. What values were you honoring in those moments? What actions were aligned with your core beliefs?
• Examine your priorities: Reflect on your core values and consider where you allocate your time, energy, and resources. Does it align with your core values? Are there any areas that need adjustment?
• Seek feedback: Talk to trusted friends, family members, or mentors who know you well. They can provide insights into your values that you may not have considered.

Identify Your Goals and Aspirations

• Reflect on what you want to achieve in your personal and professional life.
• Consider your passions and what brings you joy and fulfillment.
• Identify your strengths and skills that align with your goals.
• Set specific and measurable short-term and long-term goals.
• Visualize your ideal future and create a plan for how to achieve it.

Consider Your Strengths and Passions

When crafting your personal value statement, it’s crucial to integrate your strengths and passions. Reflect on what truly matters and drives you. Highlight your unique qualities and the areas where you excel, whether leadership or creativity.

Aligning your statement with these aspects will showcase your expertise and enthusiasm and enhance your success, especially in job-related and career development matters.

Aligning Your Values with Your Life Choices

Aligning your values with your choices is essential for a purposeful and fulfilling life. This requires reflection to identify your core values and prioritize what truly resonates with you. It ensures your decisions align with your beliefs, fostering authenticity and fulfillment while allowing you to stay true to yourself.

This process ensures your life and mission remain meaningful as your values evolve.

Crafting a compelling personal value statement is vital to achieve success. In this section, discover expert tips to help you write an effective value statement. Find out how to convey clarity and conciseness, use positive and inspiring language, and infuse your statement with personal authenticity.

These tips will empower you to stand out, communicate your worth, and inspire others through your unique values. Get ready to craft a value statement that leaves a lasting impact!

Be Clear and Concise

When crafting your personal value statement, prioritize clarity and conciseness. Use powerful language to convey your values and aspirations without unnecessary details. A clear and concise personal mission statement also ensures that your audience, whether employers or colleagues, can quickly grasp your fundamental principles and values. Avoid lengthy explanations while still conveying depth and substance through strong action verbs and quantitative descriptors.

Use Positive and Inspiring Language

When crafting your personal value statement, use positive and inspiring language to create a strong impression on potential employers, colleagues, or clients. Incorporate action verbs to showcase your proactive approach, use descriptive language to highlight your qualities, and evoke trust with words emphasizing your ability to connect with others. Express your vision statement and passion for your work concisely to ensure clarity.

For example, a marketing strategist successfully used uplifting language to secure job interviews and enhance their LinkedIn profile, ultimately landing a job where they could make a significant impact.

Make it Personal and Authentic

To create a personal and authentic value statement, reflect on your life experiences and how they’ve shaped your values. Be genuine and express your true beliefs, avoiding the temptation to cater mission statements to others’ expectations. Share personal anecdotes to illustrate your values and make your statement relatable. Write in your voice, using language that feels natural to you, ensuring authenticity.

Guiding Decision-making and Prioritization

• Identify your core values: Take the time to reflect on your values important to you in life and work.
• Evaluate your options: When faced with decisions, use your personal value statement as a guide to assess which choices align with your values.
• Rank your priorities: Prioritize your tasks and goals based on how well they align with your core values. This lets you focus your time and energy on what matters most.
• Stay true to your values: Use your personal value statement as a reminder and compass when faced with challenges or temptations that may go against your values.
• Review and adapt: Regularly review and update your personal value statement as your priorities and goals evolve.

Providing Motivation and a Sense of Purpose

A personal value statement is a guiding principle aligned with core beliefs, offering motivation and clarity in various life areas, including career decisions. It helps define goals, inspires in challenging times, and enhances job fit by aligning values with organizations. It’s valuable in resumes, cover letters, interviews, and networking to convey an understanding of personal values and attract like-minded connections. The statement should prioritize concise, positive, and inspiring language while staying authentic.

A personal value statement empowers individuals to make meaningful life choices, pursue goals, and find purpose.

Building Authentic Relationships and Connections

Building authentic relationships and connections is essential for personal and professional success. These connections are rooted in trust, respect, and effective communication, offering partnerships, mentorships, and collaboration opportunities. To cultivate genuine relationships, active listening, sincere engagement, and understanding others’ perspectives are key. Networking events and platforms like LinkedIn provide avenues to connect with like-minded individuals, where professionalism and value articulation are important.

Maintaining these connections through consistent effort, support, and selflessness fosters a strong network based on shared interests and values, benefiting both p

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Personal Values: Meaning, 25 Examples & How To Discover Yours

We all have values that guide us and shape our decisions. These values are deeply held beliefs about what is important in life and how we should conduct ourselves. 

Knowing your values is essential for living a meaningful life and ensuring your actions align with what you believe in.

Understanding your core values can help you make better choices, set goals, and prioritize tasks. It also helps cultivate self-awareness, an important part of personal growth.

In this article, we’ll discuss personal values and provide a list of core values to help you start discovering your own.

Understanding Personal Values: An Explanation

Understanding your values helps you define what is important and how you want to live your life.

Your personal values are the things that you believe are most essential in life, such as honesty, integrity, loyalty, respect, and trustworthiness. They influence your behavior and decision-making process by providing a framework for what is right and wrong.

Your values also dictate how you interact and work with others towards shared goals. If someone else’s core values conflict with yours, it could lead to tension or disagreement between you.

Your values are also closely aligned with your beliefs and feelings about yourself. What you value reflects your feelings about yourself and what is important to you. It’s an expression of who you are and can help shape the life that you want for yourself.

A Compilation of 25 Personal Core Value Instances

Here’s a list of the top 25 personal core values to help you determine your priorities. Personal values are:

Self-discipline

Flexibility, responsibility.

Compassionate individuals understand that everyone around them is experiencing their struggle in life and can show empathy during difficult moments and when someone else’s success needs celebration too!

This core value encourages all forms of caring, understanding, emotional support, kindness, cooperation, consideration, and more – all from a sincere place within ourselves towards others who may need it most at any given moment.

Integrity is an important core value because it guides our behavior and keeps us in check when faced with difficult choices or situations.

It’s the foundation of trust, loyalty, and ethical decision-making. Integrity means being honest, truthful, reliable, responsible, and accountable for our actions – all essential to cultivating meaningful relationships.

Respect serves as a reminder to be mindful of how we treat others – whether they’re friends, family members, colleagues, or strangers.

By practicing respect, we can learn to appreciate diversity and foster appreciation for different backgrounds and perspectives. This mindset helps us create strong relationships with those around us while also enjoying ourselves!

Kindness is an important core value because it’s the foundation of giving and receiving love. Showing kindness to others can be as simple as a random act of service or a genuine compliment. Still, it’s also about understanding that everyone is worthy of kindness, no matter their differences.

Being kind helps us nurture relationships and create strong connections with those we meet along life’s journey.  

Honesty is a cornerstone of a meaningful life. It fosters trust and strengthens relationships by allowing us to be our true selves with those around us. Being honest also helps us stay in touch with reality, as it sets the foundation for making choices aligned with our values and beliefs.

Gratitude is an essential core value because it teaches us to appreciate what we have and not take anything for granted. Practicing gratitude helps us focus on what’s important instead of what is lacking – which can bring peace, joy, and contentment into our lives.

Fostering a spirit of thankfulness also allows us to recognize how far we’ve come and encourages us to keep striving toward our goals.

Empathy is an important core value because it allows us to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and understand their feelings without passing judgment or expecting anything in return.

This level of understanding can promote compassion towards others and help bridge gaps between different cultures, religions, and backgrounds.

Practicing empathy will also help you become a better communicator by giving you insight into other peoples’ perspectives. 

Humility is an important core value because it helps us to stay grounded and remain humble in the face of success or achievement. It encourages us to recognize our limitations and not take ourselves too seriously, which can promote healthy relationships with others.

Self-discipline is an essential core value as it allows us to restrain ourselves from engaging in activities or behaviors that might harm our well-being or personal development.

Being disciplined requires us to set boundaries for ourselves and be mindful of how we spend our time and energy – which can lead to increased productivity and improved focus.

Patience is a core value, allowing us to remain calm in difficult or trying situations. Practicing patience will help us stay rational and level-headed in all aspects of life, allowing us to see different perspectives and consider alternate solutions to problems. Not only that but having patience can also reduce stress levels and improve our overall mental health.

Loyalty is an important core value that demonstrates commitment and trustworthiness towards someone or something.

It helps people stay true to their values even when times get tough, enabling them to maintain relationships with others despite differences in opinion or lifestyle choices. Cultivating loyalty encourages respect for oneself and others, making it a great quality.

Optimism is a core value that allows us to remain hopeful and positive despite difficult or challenging situations.

People who practice optimism can use it to look at life in a more positive light and cultivate an attitude of resilience when faced with adversity. It helps us focus on the good rather than just the bad and promotes growth rather than stagnation.

Having an adventurous spirit encourages us to be brave and take risks occasionally. Taking calculated risks sometimes allows us to experience different things outside our comfort zone while developing courage and resilience.

An adventurous attitude doesn’t mean engaging in reckless activities; rather, it involves embracing opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.

Being flexible is important as it enables us to recognize when the situation calls for a change in plans or strategies. People who can adapt quickly and effectively can use this skill to their advantage, allowing them to be better prepared for whatever comes their way.

Cultivating flexibility helps us remain open-minded when approaching new ideas, challenges, and situations.

Responsibility is a core value that encourages accountability and dependability. It is an important reminder that our actions have good and bad consequences.

Taking responsibility for one’s actions encourages people to think twice before acting, preventing unnecessary mistakes. It also teaches us how to learn from our mistakes so we can take steps toward improving ourselves.

Courage is the ability to face our fears and take risks to achieve a goal or accomplish something we believe in. It takes courage to try something new or step outside our comfort zone, but it also allows us to learn more about ourselves and gain confidence.

Being brave enough to take action in situations where others may hesitate can be incredibly empowering.

Openness involves being open-minded, tolerant, and accepting of different points of view. This attitude encourages healthy dialogue between people with varying opinions and lifestyles, allowing us to learn from each other while respecting individual differences.

Developing an open mindset helps promote understanding and empathy towards others, creating a more harmonious environment for everyone involved.

Generosity is the quality of being kind, generous and giving. It encourages us to help others without expecting anything in return. We can be helpful with our time, money, service, or material possessions.

Being generous helps those around us and boosts self-esteem, reminding us that we can make a difference in someone else’s life.

Creativity is thinking outside the box and generating new ideas. It requires imagination and an open mind to explore possibilities that may not have been considered.

While creativity often involves artistic expression, such as painting or music, it can manifest in problem-solving or innovative thinking toward new challenges.

Health involves physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, getting enough rest, and engaging in activities that promote psychological balance. Taking care of our health helps us stay energized and strong enough to face life’s challenges.

Love is an emotion that transcends all boundaries and encourages connection with others. It can be expressed through words or actions such as acts of kindness or spending time with those we love.

With love comes acceptance and understanding, even when we don’t always agree on things. Cultivating relationships based on love allows us to experience true happiness and joy.

Balance is essential for overall well-being as it promotes harmony. It involves balancing work and leisure, rest and activity, and time spent alone or with family and friends. Achieving this equilibrium makes us more productive while maintaining harmony in our relationships.

Security is the sense of safety we feel when we know that our basic needs are met, whether financial security, physical security, emotional security, or any other form of protection from harm.

Achieving this sense of safety helps us relax and enjoy life instead of worrying about what might happen.

Learning is acquiring new knowledge or skills through experience, practice, observation, or instruction. It can include anything from traditional education in a classroom setting to self-learning through research and exploration.

Learning helps us grow intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually while building our confidence and expanding our perspectives.

Growth is both physical and psychological. It can involve learning new skills, growing, or taking risks to achieve our desired goals.

Change can be challenging as it requires us to push beyond our comfort zone. Still, this experience helps develop resilience and personal empowerment, which are essential for a successful life.

The Significance of Personal Values and an Accompanying List Highlighting Their Advantages

Personal values are critically important and can profoundly affect our lives. Understanding your core values can help you make better decisions, set goals, and prioritize tasks.

These values help to create a sense of purpose and clarity in our lives, providing us with a framework for making ethical decisions.

Furthermore, personal values can be an effective tool for self-realization and growth. Assessing and identifying our core values can help us become more aware of our motivations and behavior patterns. It also allows us to live a life aligned with our beliefs.

Here are some of the key advantages of having personal values:

• Self-Knowledge: Knowing your core values lets you know yourself better and make informed decisions about how you want to live.
• Clarity: Core values clarify our beliefs and feelings about ourselves and others. This helps set boundaries within relationships and manage conflicts when they arise.
• Motivation: Having clear personal values motivates us to live up to our highest standards, enabling us to reach greater heights.
• Guidance: Our core values act as guiding principles that keep us focused on what’s important in life, helping us stay on track to achieve our goals and aspirations.
• Resilience: Understanding your values helps build resilience against obstacles because it provides an internal compass that directs you back onto the right path whenever you feel lost or overwhelmed by challenges or setbacks in life.

Overall, having a set of personal values is essential for leading an authentic and fulfilling life. It’s important to take the time to reflect on what matters most to us and then make decisions that are in alignment with those values.

A clear sense of our values can help direct us toward meaningful action, giving us the strength and courage to overcome obstacles.

Advantages of Upholding Personal Values

Upholding personal values has many advantages for leading a meaningful life.

One advantage is that having a clear set of values allows us to make decisions aligned with our beliefs and feelings.

This helps us stay true to ourselves, enabling us to remain in control of our lives and have more confidence in our choices. It also allows us to maintain healthy relationships by setting boundaries and fostering respect.

Core values can also be a great source of motivation as they serve as guiding principles that keep us focused on achieving our goals.

By keeping track of what we value most, we can remain committed and stay on course toward reaching our desired outcomes. This helps to build resilience against any obstacles or setbacks we may face along the way.

Understanding our values can lead to greater self-knowledge and awareness. We become more aware of who we are, our personal strengths , and what type of life we want for ourselves – providing clarity about what’s important in life.

This helps us gain insight into how to direct our actions toward meaningful results, encouraging us to take action with purpose and intention.

Ultimately, upholding personal values is important to living an authentic and fulfilling life. By reflecting on what matters most, making decisions that align with those values, and staying motivated by our guiding principles, we open ourselves up to a world full of possibilities, allowing us to reach greater heights than ever.

A Guide to Discovering and Delineating Personal Values

Let’s now dive into how to discover and delineate your values.

Step 1: Recognize instances when you felt the utmost happiness

To begin discovering and delineating your values, it is important to reflect on moments in life that made us feel the happiest or even take the personal values test to discover what you value the most.

This could be when we received a job promotion, had an amazing vacation, or got accepted into college. These happy moments can indicate most in our lives, representing things that have brought joy and satisfaction.

For instance, if we felt particularly joyful about getting accepted into college, this may signify that education is important to us.

If we thought seriously about going on a dream vacation with friends or family, this could demonstrate that relationships are valuable for us. Being conscious of these events and reflecting on their significance can provide insight into how to prioritize our values.

In addition to recognizing moments where we felt the utmost happiness, it is equally important to evaluate other experiences in life, such as successes or failures.

Reflecting on how we coped with difficult situations and analyzing why certain decisions were made can also provide us with invaluable information about ourselves and the behaviors that guide us.

Step 2: Pinpoint moments of intense pride

Our values are often formed and shaped by moments of intense pride. For instance, achieving something we have worked hard for, such as taking an exam or winning a competition, can feel gratifying and give us a strong sense of accomplishment.

Similarly, if we help someone in need or receive recognition for a job well done, these experiences can evoke feelings of validation and gratification.

By reflecting on our proudest moments, we can better understand what brings us joy and satisfaction. Whether it’s working on projects to better the community or dedicating ourselves to a cause that we believe in – recognizing these experiences will help us define our values in life.

Taking the time to appreciate these moments allows us to recognize how far we have come and inspires us to take on future challenges enthusiastically.

Step 3: Identify periods of maximal fulfillment and satisfaction

Maximal pride and joy can be found at various times throughout our lives. For instance, when we make meaningful connections with others in our community, such as volunteering for an organization close to our hearts or engaging in conversations with those we look up to for advice.

Sometimes, moments of maximal fulfillment can also come from within ourselves. Taking the time to appreciate our accomplishments and reflect on how far we have come can bring a sense of gratification.

In addition, if there are hobbies or activities we have dedicated ourselves to over extended periods, these experiences can also bring immense pleasure and joy.

Step 4: Extract your values from your experiences of joy, pride, and contentment

Extracting our values from experiences of joy, pride, and contentment can help us better understand what is most important to us in life. We can reflect on moments of immense gratification and realize that these experiences have shaped our values and beliefs.

For example, if, more often than not, we find ourselves helping those in need or dedicating time towards volunteering for organizations that align with our personal beliefs, then it is likely that generosity, altruism, and compassion are some of our core values.

Similarly, let’s take the time to appreciate accomplishments made within ourselves, such as setting goals to improve self-esteem or completing a challenging project at work-ambition and dedication may be two of our top values.

Step 5: Rank your values according to their importance

Once we have pinpointed a set of values that have been derived from experiences of joy, pride, and contentment, it is important to rank them in order of importance. This allows us to prioritize our values and better understand which ones are essential to lead meaningful lives.

We find generosity, ambition, and dedication our top three values. In that case, we can determine which one holds the greatest significance for us by reflecting on how much they influence our daily decisions.

Suppose generosity is consistently at the forefront of our actions while ambition or dedication might sometimes take a back seat. In that case, generosity is likely our most important value.

By recognizing the personal values that define us, we can approach life with a greater sense of purpose and appreciation. This will enable us to make more mindful decisions that align with our values and ultimately live richer, more fulfilling lives.

Step 6: Reconfirm your value system

It is not uncommon for us to forget or neglect certain values over time, so it is important to assess which ones are still relevant in our lives routinely. Doing this can help us better understand when changes must be made and adjust accordingly.

We can start by revisiting our list of values and reflecting on how each has influenced us over the past few years. If a previously important value no longer resonates with us, it may be time to replace it with something else or reassign its rank in our hierarchy.

It is also beneficial to occasionally compare our value system to those around us. This can help us gain new perspectives and reconsider what values are most meaningful for us as individuals.

Ultimately, reconfirming our value system allows us to stay true to ourselves and ensure that we remain focused on leading an authentic life.

The Methodology of Ranking Your Values

Ranking our values is not a one-size-fits-all process. It requires us to reflect deeply on what matters most to us and how our values shape the decisions we make each day.

To do this, we can start by writing down a list of all the values that are important to us. This can include anything from generosity, ambition, dedication, loyalty, integrity, compassion, etc.

Once we have our list of values, we will begin ranking them in order of importance. We can do this by considering how much each value has influenced our daily decisions and actions over the past few years.

If two or more values seem equally significant, it may be helpful to take some time and reflect on which one holds more meaning for us in the long term.

It is also beneficial to consider how our values compare to those around us. Doing so will provide us with new perspectives and allow us to reassess what’s truly important for our individual needs and goals.

We must remain open-minded and honest about what matters most throughout this process. This will ensure that our values system reflects who we truly are and accurately represents the direction we want our lives to go.

By taking the time to rank our values, we are creating a strong foundation for a fulfilling and purposeful life.

We will better understand what’s truly important to us while allowing us to make more informed decisions in line with our beliefs. This ultimately leads to greater satisfaction and fulfillment as we move forward on our journey.

How to Modify and Adjust Your Value System as Required

One way to modify and adjust our value system is by understanding the importance of self-reflection. Self-reflection involves looking within ourselves and assessing how our beliefs and values guide our actions.

This process requires us to be honest with ourselves and identify areas where we need to make changes or adjustments. We can then realign our values with actions, ensuring we live according to the most important principles.

Another way to modify and adjust our value system is by incorporating feedback from others into the evaluation process. Asking for feedback from people we trust, such as friends, family members, mentors, or colleagues, can help us understand how our behavior may impact our relationships.

It can also allow us to see things from another perspective or receive constructive criticism, which can help us make positive changes in our lives.

Finally, it’s important to remember that as we grow and evolve, so should our values. We should continuously reassess what matters most in life and strive for growth in all aspects; emotional intelligence, physical health, spiritual connection, etc.

This will help ensure that we remain authentic in our beliefs while allowing us to make necessary adjustments.

Integrating Values into Everyday Life

Integrating values into everyday life can be challenging, but it is essential for living an authentic and meaningful life. Values are the foundation of our decision-making process and should be considered when making any decisions.

By consciously thinking about our values and how they apply to each situation, we can ensure that our findings reflect those values and remain true to ourselves.

When making decisions with integrity, it’s important to take our emotions out of the equation and focus on the facts instead. This will help us make more informed choices as opposed to ones driven by fear or impulsivity.

Additionally, it’s important to think broadly about the implications of our decisions without prioritizing short-term gains over long-term success. This will ensure that our actions are in line with both our immediate needs as well as with our core values and beliefs.

Living authentically is based on the premise that we honor who we are at every moment and stay true to ourselves even when faced with difficult situations or discomfort.

It requires self-awareness and a deep understanding of what matters most in life; being mindful of these qualities allows us to make decisions based on what truly resonates with us instead of caving into societal pressures or expectations from others.

In addition, living authentically involves setting boundaries to protect one’s energy, time, and resources so that we can devote them to activities that align with our individual needs and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is family considered a personal value.

Yes, family is considered a personal value. Family is an important aspect of many people’s lives and often serves as an anchor of stability that shapes our values and beliefs.

For some people, their family is the most important thing in their life, while for others, it may be less so. It is up to each individual to decide what role family plays in their lives and how this affects their values.

What values do you hold as a student?

The values that one holds as a student may vary greatly depending on individual circumstances and experiences. Generally speaking, students prioritize learning, growth, exploration, critical thinking, and self-improvement. These are all important aspects of academic success and personal development.

How can I articulate my values in writing?

Writing is an excellent way to express your values and beliefs. One of the best ways to do this is to reflect on your life experiences and what you have learned from them.

Think about how those lessons shaped your views on various topics such as morality, relationships, education, etc., and try to capture that in written form. This will help you better define and articulate your core beliefs.

Could you provide examples of beliefs?

Beliefs are deeply held opinions or convictions based on our worldviews. Ideas may include religious faith, political ideology, ethical principles, social justice advocacy, environmentalism, human rights, etc. Whatever your thoughts may be, it is important to recognize and respect the values of others.

Knowing what goes on your personal values list is important to understanding your core identity. It can help you make decisions, prioritize tasks based on what matters most, and remain true to yourself.

By reflecting on life experiences and engaging in meaningful dialogue, it is possible to define and articulate your values in writing.

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Core Values List: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values

By Status.net Editorial Team on May 3, 2023 — 12 minutes to read

153 Personal Values Examples: Discover Your Unique Core Values

Discovering your personal values is essential for living a life true to yourself: they guide your behavior and decision-making process. In this article, you will find 153 personal values examples that can help you identify and prioritize your own set of values. Reflecting on these examples can provide insights into what truly matters to you, allowing you to make choices with greater clarity and confidence. As you explore this list of values, remember that there is no hierarchy or universal set of “correct” values. Each person’s values are unique, shaped by individual experiences and perspectives.

Understanding Personal Values

Personal values are the core beliefs that guide your decision-making process, behaviors, and interactions with others. They help you differentiate right from wrong and set your priorities in life. By understanding your personal values, you can make clearer choices and discover what truly matters to you.

To identify your values, start by considering how you define success, happiness, and the kind of person you want to be. Reflect on your past experiences, both positive and negative: they often reveal values that shaped your decisions and actions.

Another helpful method is to consider the admirable qualities of people you look up to. Be honest with yourself about what resonates with you and what doesn’t. It’s essential to remember that your personal values are unique to you, and there’s no one-size-fits-all list.

Take your time as you explore these values and remember that they may change over time as you grow and evolve. Embrace the journey of self-discovery!

Values List

• Accountability – Taking responsibility for your actions and decisions.
• Adaptability – Being able to adjust to new situations and environments.
• Adventure – Seeking out new experiences and challenges.
• Altruism – Putting the needs of others before your own.
• Ambition – Having a strong desire to achieve success and reach your goals.
• Authenticity – Being true to yourself and your beliefs.
• Balance – Maintaining a sense of equilibrium in all aspects of your life.
• Beauty – Appreciating and seeking out beauty in all its forms.
• Belonging – Feeling a sense of belonging and connection to others.
• Boldness – Being willing to take risks and make bold decisions.
• Calmness – Maintaining a sense of composure and tranquility in stressful situations.
• Care – Showing concern and compassion for others.
• Challenge – Seeking out challenges and pushing yourself to grow and develop.
• Character – Having strong moral and ethical values.
• Clarity – Having a clear understanding of your goals and values.
• Collaboration – Working well with others and valuing teamwork.
• Commitment – Being dedicated and loyal to your goals and values.
• Compassion – Showing kindness and empathy towards others.
• Confidence – Believing in yourself and your abilities.
• Connection – Building strong relationships with others.
• Consistency – Maintaining a sense of reliability and predictability.
• Courage – Facing challenges and adversity with bravery and strength.
• Creativity – Expressing yourself through art, music, writing, or other forms of creativity.
• Curiosity – Having a desire to learn and explore new ideas and concepts.
• Decisiveness – Making clear and timely decisions.
• Dedication – Being committed to your goals and values.
• Dependability – Being reliable and trustworthy.
• Determination – Persisting in the face of obstacles and challenges.
• Discipline – Maintaining a sense of self-control and focus.
• Diversity – Valuing and respecting differences in people and cultures.
• Drive – Having a strong motivation to succeed.
• Empathy – Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
• Endurance – Being able to persevere through difficult situations.
• Energy – Having a high level of enthusiasm and vitality.
• Excellence – Striving for excellence in all aspects of your life.
• Exploration – Seeking out new experiences and ideas.
• Fairness – Treating others with fairness and justice.
• Faith – Having strong beliefs and a sense of spirituality.
• Family – Valuing and prioritizing your family relationships.
• Flexibility – Being adaptable and open to change.
• Focus – Maintaining a sense of concentration and attention to detail.
• Forgiveness – Being able to forgive others and yourself.
• Freedom – Valuing personal freedom and independence.
• Friendship – Building and maintaining strong friendships.
• Fun – Seeking out enjoyment and pleasure in life.
• Generosity – Giving freely and generously to others.
• Gratitude – Being thankful and appreciative for what you have.
• Growth – Continuously growing and developing as a person.
• Happiness – Pursuing happiness and joy in life.
• Harmony – Striving for balance and harmony in all aspects of your life.
• Health – Prioritizing and maintaining good physical and mental health.
• Honesty – Being truthful and transparent in all your actions and interactions.
• Honor – Having a strong sense of integrity and honor.
• Hope – Maintaining a sense of optimism and hope for the future.
• Humility – Being humble and modest in your actions and interactions.
• Humor – Appreciating and using humor to bring joy and laughter to others.
• Imagination – Using your imagination to create and innovate.
• Independence – Valuing and prioritizing personal independence and autonomy.
• Initiative – Taking action and being proactive in achieving your goals.
• Innovation – Seeking out new and creative solutions to problems.
• Integrity – Maintaining strong moral and ethical values.
• Intensity – Pursuing your goals and passions with intensity and fervor.
• Intimacy – Building and maintaining deep and meaningful relationships with others.
• Joy – Finding joy and happiness in life.
• Justice – Striving for fairness and justice for all.
• Kindness – Showing kindness and compassion towards others.
• Knowledge – Pursuing knowledge and education.
• Leadership – Being a strong and effective leader.
• Learning – Continuously learning and growing as a person.
• Legacy – Leaving a positive legacy for future generations.
• Liberty – Valuing personal freedom and liberty.
• Life – Valuing and cherishing life in all its forms.
• Love – Showing love and affection towards others.
• Loyalty – Being loyal and committed to your relationships and commitments.
• Mastery – Striving for mastery and excellence in your skills and abilities.
• Meaning – Finding meaning and purpose in life.
• Mindfulness – Being present and aware in the moment.
• Moderation – Practicing moderation and balance in all aspects of your life.
• Motivation – Maintaining a strong motivation to achieve your goals.
• Nature – Valuing and appreciating the natural world.
• Nurturing – Providing care and support to others.
• Openness – Being open to new ideas and perspectives.
• Open-mindedness – Being open to new ideas and perspectives.
• Optimism – Maintaining a positive outlook on life.
• Order – Valuing order and organization in your life.
• Originality – Being original and unique in your thoughts and actions.
• Passion – Pursuing your passions and interests with enthusiasm.
• Patience – Being patient and understanding in difficult situations.
• Peace – Valuing peace and tranquility in your life and relationships.
• Perseverance – Persisting through difficult challenges and obstacles.
• Persistence – Continuing to pursue your goals despite setbacks and failures.
• Playfulness – Embracing a sense of playfulness and fun in your life.
• Poise – Maintaining a sense of grace and composure in difficult situations.
• Positivity – Maintaining a positive attitude and outlook on life.
• Power – Using your power and influence for good.
• Precision – Pursuing accuracy and precision in your work and actions.
• Preparedness – Being prepared and ready for any situation.
• Privacy – Valuing and respecting personal privacy and boundaries.
• Productivity – Being productive and efficient in your work and tasks.
• Professionalism – Maintaining a sense of professionalism and integrity in your work.
• Progress – Striving for progress and growth in all aspects of your life.
• Prosperity – Seeking out prosperity and abundance in your life.
• Punctuality – Being punctual and on time for your commitments.
• Quality – Pursuing quality and excellence in your work and actions.
• Rationality – Making decisions based on reason and logic.
• Realism – Being realistic and practical in your expectations and actions.
• Recognition – Seeking recognition and acknowledgement for your accomplishments.
• Reflection – Reflecting on your actions and decisions to learn and grow.
• Reliability – Being reliable and trustworthy in your commitments.
• Resilience – Bouncing back from setbacks and challenges.
• Respect – Showing respect and consideration towards others.
• Responsibility – Taking responsibility for your actions and decisions.
• Results-oriented – Focusing on achieving results and outcomes.
• Risk-taking – Being willing to take calculated risks.
• Safety – Prioritizing safety and security in your life and relationships.
• Self-awareness – Being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
• Self-care – Prioritizing self-care and self-nurturing.
• Self-control – Maintaining self-control and discipline in your actions and decisions.
• Self-improvement – Continuously improving and developing yourself.
• Selflessness – Putting the needs of others before your own.
• Sensitivity – Being sensitive and empathetic towards others.
• Serenity – Maintaining a sense of calm and peace in your life.
• Service – Serving and helping others.
• Simplicity – Valuing simplicity and minimalism in your life.
• Sincerity – Being sincere and genuine in your actions and interactions.
• Skill-building – Continuously building and developing your skills and abilities.
• Spirituality – Having a sense of spirituality and connection to a higher power.
• Stability – Valuing stability and security in your life and relationships.
• Strength – Being strong and resilient in the face of challenges and adversity.
• Success – Pursuing success and achievement in your life.
• Support – Providing support and encouragement to others.
• Sustainability – Valuing and prioritizing sustainability and environmental responsibility.
• Teamwork – Working well with others and valuing teamwork.
• Tenacity – Having a strong determination and persistence in achieving your goals.
• Thoughtfulness – Being thoughtful and considerate towards others.
• Tolerance – Being tolerant and accepting of differences in people and cultures.
• Tradition – Valuing and respecting traditions and cultural heritage.
• Tranquility – Maintaining a sense of calm and tranquility in your life.
• Trust – Building and maintaining trust in your relationships.
• Trustworthiness – Being trustworthy and reliable in your commitments.
• Understanding – Seeking to understand others and their perspectives.
• Unity – Valuing and promoting unity and cooperation.
• Vision – Having a clear vision and purpose for your life.
• Vitality – Maintaining a sense of energy and vitality in your life.
• Warmth – Showing warmth and kindness towards others.
• Wealth – Pursuing wealth and financial success.
• Well-being – Prioritizing and maintaining good physical and mental health.
• Wisdom – Seeking and valuing wisdom and experience.
• Wonder – Embracing a sense of wonder and awe towards the world.
• Work-life balance – Maintaining a balance between work and personal life.
• Worldliness – Being knowledgeable and experienced in different cultures and languages.
• Worthiness – Believing in your own worth and value.
• Zeal – Pursuing your goals and passions with enthusiasm and excitement.

Categories of Personal Values

When discovering your own values, it’s helpful to categorize them into different areas of your life. This will make it easier for you to determine what’s most important to you, and can help guide your decisions across various aspects. Below, you’ll find five main categories of personal values:

Relationship and Family Values

Your relationship and family values represent the beliefs and priorities you hold in your personal relationships, whether it’s with your spouse, children, family, or friends. Some examples are:

• Responsibility

Career and Success Values

Values in this category usually revolve around your work and professional aspirations. They can help guide you in the career choices you make and the manner in which you approach the road to success. Examples include:

• Professional growth
• Work-life balance
• Job satisfaction
• Professionalism
• Perseverance
• Adaptability
• Resourcefulness
• Inspiration

Personal Growth Values

These are the values related to your personal development, self-improvement, and well-being. They can influence how you choose to invest your time and effort into learning new skills or seeking out personal growth opportunities. Some examples are:

• Continued learning
• Personal development
• Self-awareness
• Spirituality
• Self-acceptance

Health and Well-Being Values

These values are connected to your overall physical, mental, and emotional health – how you prioritize self-care and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Examples include:

• Healthy eating
• Mental well-being
• Stress reduction
• Rest and relaxation

Social Values

Social values concern your beliefs and attitudes towards society as a whole, and relate to how you engage with different social groups and contribute to the common good. Examples of social values are:

• Community engagement
• Environmental sustainability
• Social responsibility
• Stewardship
• Sustainability

Finding Your Own Personal Values

To find your own values, follow these steps:

• Reflect on your experiences: Your life experiences shape your values. Think about significant moments, decisions, and relationships in your life. What lessons have you learned, and how have they impacted your values system?
• Identify common themes: As you dig deeper into your experiences, try to identify recurring themes. Look for patterns and connect the dots to determine which personal values underpin your thoughts and actions.
• Make a list of values: Begin by creating a list of values that resonate with you. Don’t feel limited to conventional values – this is your personal journey, and your list should be authentic to your experiences and beliefs.
• Prioritize your values: After identifying the values that resonate with you, prioritize them by importance. This ranking will help you understand which values are non-negotiable and essential to your well-being.
• Test your values: Put your values to the test by imagining different scenarios in which they might be challenged. Consider how you would handle each situation and assess whether your values truly align with your actions.

Keep in mind that your personal values may change and evolve over time, and it is useful to continually reevaluate and refine your values to ensure they remain relevant and accurate to who you are.

Aligning Your Goals with Your Values

Aligning your goals with your values ensures that you not only stay true to yourself, but also enjoy the journey while working towards these objectives.

• Make a list of your top values.
• Reflect on past experiences and identify moments where you felt fulfilled and satisfied. This will help you recognize the values that are most important to you.
• Once you have identified your values, start setting goals that align with them. Try to set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to increase the likelihood of success.
• Create a vision board or write down your goals to increase your focus and commitment.
• Design a step-by-step action plan to achieve your goals.
• Regularly review and track your progress, making adjustments when needed.

Uncovering your personal values is an ongoing process, and your values may evolve over time. Give yourself the flexibility to grow and adapt, and don’t be afraid to reevaluate your choices.

See also: How to Write a Personal Mission Statement (20 Examples)

37 Personal Purpose Statement Examples & Ideas for 2024

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So much of life has gone by an, yet, I still have so much more I want to accomplish. I want people to know what I stand for and that I made a difference.

Have you ever felt like this? Like you need a roadmap for your life?

Well, a personal purpose statement is that roadmap .

In this post, I'll offer 37 personal purpose statement examples and tips that will help you write your own.

But first, let's start with a simple definition.

Table of Contents

What is a Personal Purpose Statement? 

A personal purpose statement defines what you want to accomplish in life. It gives you direction to accomplish what's important to you … as it reflects what you stand for, your goals and core values.

It's also commonly referred to as a personal mission statement, and is usually only one to two sentences long.

Think of it as your motto — even your brand. Once written, you can make sure your decisions and actions are in line with carrying out this purpose.

Benefits of Personal Purpose Statement

As humans, we are a product of our environment. We often take on the  values and beliefs of our parents or whoever raised us,  our current life situation… and can even be influenced to a certain degree by society at large.

A personal purpose statement requires you to  focus on your values, beliefs, goals, and purpose in life . You'll have to think about what's really important to you… not someone else. It's a self-discovery process.  It helps you realize who you are.

Coming up with a personal purpose statement requires you to realize your skills, talents, likes and dislikes . You may surprise yourself and arrive at a whole new level of self-appreciation.

As you're thinking about where you want to get to, you'll also consider where you are currently. It makes you mindful of what you have now, how you got it, and the people who played a role in that journey. This can give you a sense of gratefulness .

Once written, you can refer to this statement as a guide to making life decisions. It will help you know how to spend your time, and possibly even what professional and personal networks to build.

With your power statement, you'll know exactly what you want out of life and what you would like to contribute to the world. You'll know what you want your legacy to be. 

It's that roadmap I mentioned earlier. If you know you're trying to get to Detroit from Atlanta, you're not going to go in the direction of Florida. So, it not only helps you decide what direction to go in, it helps you know what not to do as well.  It keeps you on track.

Once your statement is written, you can center all of your decisions on making it happen.

You can avoid wasting your time making decisions and carrying out behaviors that do not provide what you really want out of life and want to contribute to the world.

For example, your statement can help you decide which classes to take in school, which job to choose, what projects or promotions to pursue at work and even where to live.  

It helps you realize who you are and stick to it, no matter what someone else may be doing or trying to persuade you to do.

I think most would agree that saying no can be hard. Your statement gives you something to refer to when you're on the fence about a decision or action.

You won't have to try and figure out on the spur of the moment if you should say no. Just think about or read your mission statement. Will saying yes bring you closer to its manifestation?

One of the most important things your personal purpose statement can do is help you continue to soldier forward, even in the face of adversities and set-backs.

It can be your guide to happiness. Once you know your purpose, you know what fulfills and completes you. You can always refer to it when things get hard or seem futile.

It keeps you hungry for your purpose because it's a constant reminder. Check out these personal purpose statement examples from successful people.  

You're on your way to being amongst the great!

How to Create a Personal Purpose Statement

Start by brainstorming. This means you’ll need to consider all ideas and exclude nothing. Once you've documented all of your thoughts… you can go back and eliminate, modify, and polish for your final statement.

Here are some things to think about and ask yourself:

Write down what's most important to you , what you value, and what you're passionate about.

What are you for and what are you against?

Who are you? Who do you want to be? 

What are your talents and strengths?

How do you want to change the world or what do you want your impact to be on the world ? 

What would you like others to say about you when you're no longer here? What do you want your legacy to be?

What are your professional and personal goals?

What do you need to accomplish your purpose, goals, or to become the person you want to be? Do you need a specific degree or skill?

Who are the people you want to affect? Who are the most important individuals to you,  and how do they fit in with your life purpose, values, beliefs, desired legacy? 

This article gives you nine life purpose examples that can help you realize what's most important to you.

Watch the video below to learn about the two ways you can find purpose in your life and explore and provide practical strategies you can use, so you can find more meaning with your daily routine.

Make your statement affirmative. Write what you want, not what you don't want. Most statements are written in the present tense, but I've seen some written in future tense, too.

It might sound like a daunting task to reduce your whole purpose on this earth to one to two sentences, but think of it as a guide or overarching statement. It's your umbrella.

Don't worry or think about the details of how you're going to get it. Now is the time to think about what you really want to achieve. 

If these starter questions aren't enough, this  Developgoodhabits.com article  goes into more depth and will help you think more deeply. 

The following personal purpose statement examples will help you get started. 

37 Personal Purpose Statement Examples and Ideas

Some of these are one-size-fits-all. Change a word or two to fit your purpose, or exchange the field used in the example for yours. For instance, “To provide legal services … ,” could be, “To provide social services, educational services, or healthcare services.”

• To motivate and inspire others to live a life where they are mentally and physically healthy, and have peace and contentment.
• I am dedicated to working on behalf of children, to bring them the resources they need for a healthy and prosperous present and future life.
• To bring more convenient and functional technology to the world that will improve the quality of life. 
• To lead by example, personifying my values of kindness, forgiveness, compassion, empathy, and hard work.
• To bring joy to the world through music and lyrics that inspire.
• I want to instill in others the self-love and confidence that gives them the self-efficacy to excel and make their dreams come true.
• To live each day to the fullest and appreciate, as well as learn and grow from every experience.
• To play a significant role in creating a company culture where all workers feel appreciated, so that they feel like their time with the company is a worthwhile investment in themselves, their families, and their future.
• To use my cooking skills to bring families and individuals nutritious, tasty food options.
• To appreciate and enjoy my family every day, by making decisions that put their best interests first.
• To create communication devices that free individuals up to spend more quality, in-person time with loved ones. I want to make devices that foster more work-life balance.
• To embrace my God-given talent, work hard to cultivate and enhance it, and be the best at what I do.
• To put forth the effort, discipline, and all that it takes to excel and be the best athlete.
• To gain the knowledge necessary to educate others on how to become financially independent, and empower individuals with that knowledge.
• To teach children about nutrition, the short and long-term benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and how to start and maintain such a lifestyle.
• To provide healthcare and hope to the suffering and their loved ones.

• To provide legal services that reduce social injustices and other disparities that exist due to the status quo.
• To provide legal services that give the disenfranchised and marginalized a voice.
• To create materials, services, or products that help girls and women achieve and maintain a healthy self-esteem.
• To empower marginalized young men by giving them the resources they need to overcome racial, educational, political, and socioeconomic barriers and injustices.
• To participate in the creation and enactment of laws that reduces the number of women and children negatively impacted by domestic violence.
• To make the world a better place for individuals with special needs, by participating in initiatives that focus on inclusivity and strengths recognition.
• I want to treat others as I want to be treated, forgive freely, and embrace and appreciate commonalities and differences. I want to be remembered as someone who brought more peace, understanding, and love to the world.
• To lead by example and be the loving, caring, forgiving human being God intended. To love my neighbor as I love myself and as God loves.
• To be a parent who meets my children's needs. To teach and show them that success is about being the best person you can be, treating everyone as you wish to be treated, and doing what makes you happy.
• To make sure the world always has transportation that is safe, reliable, and accessible.
• To build infrastructures that improve communities and the quality of life.
• To design transportation systems that put products in consumers' hands faster and more economically.
• To work with and serve the elderly in a way that makes them feel valued, needed, and like an integral part of a thriving society.
• To serve in a role where I identify the most vulnerable, and work to bring them resources that will help them gain physiological security. 
• To touch the world with my art, and be an outlet for others to express or feel that someone else is expressing their true vulnerabilities and feelings. My art will do more than entertain, it will make people feel supported and understood.
• To achieve the education required to serve the purpose God intended for me. With that education, I will give back to society generously, and remarkably leave the world in some concrete way better than it was before my contribution.
• I want to be an educator who helps students see learning as a fun part of their life that they look forward to experiencing.    
• To be a father who raises sons to be caring, loving, respectful, responsible men, protective of their loved ones, and daughters to be caring, loving, respectful, responsible women who know their value and will not compromise it.
• To be the best wife, mother, and professional, successful at creating a secure, loving life for my family and myself.
• To look at challenges or failures as stepping stones placed in my path so that when I do realize my full potential — my purpose — that purpose will be that much greater, better, and appreciated. To be a positive presence to others, to help them view life in the same way.
• I want to approach life with a spirit of happiness, laughter, and forgiveness.

Final Thoughts on Personal Purpose Statement Examples

This article was designed to inspire you to go after all you seek in life. All you want to do, see and be.

These ideas and templates are designed to get your personal-mission-statement wheels turning… so don't worry if you don't see yourself represented in every example.

If you're feeling like you can't capture your purpose in one statement, that's okay, too. You're defining you and your path on this earth. Your reason for being is unique, and you can have more than one !

Or, it may be that all of the personal purpose statement examples in the world won’t help… because you’re still struggling to find your why. If you feel you are in that situation, read this article on five steps for people struggling with their why.

There are also actionable steps you can take to help you find your purpose. Things like practicing mindfulness , self-care and journaling can work wonders to help you get to the bottom of things.

Finally, if you want to increase your happiness and life satisfaction, then watch this free video that details the 7-minute habit for planning your day to focus on what's important .

The Ultimate List of Core Values And How To Find Yours

Your core values are the guiding principles of your life that help you determine your behavior, words, and actions.

It's essential to your personal evolution to take stock of your values on a regular basis, and then make the necessary changes to align your life with these most important core values (also called personal values).

Living in harmony with your core values creates a fertile environment for happiness, peace of mind, and success because you are living authentically without confusion, guilt, or shame.

What are core values?

How to find your list of core values, 1. accountability, 2. awareness, 5. boldness, 6. calmness, 7. cleanliness, 8. closeness, 9. commitment, 10. compassion, 11. confidence, 12. connection, 13. consciousness, 14. contentment, 15. cooperation, 16. courage, 17. creativity, 18. decisiveness, 19. determination, 20. dependability, 21. dignity, 22. diligence, 23. discipline, 24. discovery, 25. diversity, 27. education, 28. effectiveness, 29. empathy, 30. encouragement, 31. excellence, 32. experience, 33. expertise, 34. exploration, 35. fairness, 37. flexibility, 39. freedom, 40. frugality, 42. generosity, 43. gratitude, 45. happiness, 47. honesty, 48. hopefulness, 49. humility, 51. integrity, 52. intimacy, 53. intuition, 54. kindness, 55. leadership, 56. learning, 58. loyalty, 59. mindfulness, 60. moderation, 61. motivation, 62. openness, 63. optimism, 64. organization, 65. originality, 66. passion, 67. peacefulness, 68. persuasiveness, 69. professionalism, 70. reason (or logic), 71. resilience, 72. respect, 73. sacrifice, 74. security, 75. sensitivity, 76. sensuality, 77. serenity, 78. significance, 79. simplicity, 80. sincerity, 81. spirituality, 82. stability, 83. strength, 84. structure, 85. success, 86. support, 87. sympathy, 88. thoughtfulness, 90. timeliness, 92. understanding, 93. uniqueness, 94. usefulness, 100. worthiness, why you need to establish your personal values.

Your core values tell you what you consider important or deeply meaningful.

These personal values should reflect your life’s purpose and who you want to be.

Research confirms that your personal values, though subjective in nature, not only reveal what we feel about ourselves but also influence our attitudes, preferences, and behaviors.

Your values in life don’t arise spontaneously. You need to seek them out.

Take some time to ask yourself what qualities you particularly admire in your parents, grandparents, and others who have influenced you.

• What common values does your family celebrate as defining traits?
• What values do they communicate that make you swell with pride?
• Consider the music you listen to, the books you read, your spiritual and political beliefs, your mentors, your friends, and other company you keep.
• Do you feel a strong compulsion to ensure your children pick up the same values?
• What qualities do you want to be known for? What words elicit an immediate positive emotional response from you?

Maybe you already have at least a vague idea of what’s important to you.

But how great would it be to have a clearer understanding of those values and how they define you and your life’s purpose?

Creating your own list of personal values helps you focus more on cultivating those values in yourself and finding ways to pass them on.

Step #1: Ask yourself questions about good values.

To create this list of personal values, you can ask yourself the following questions and write down your answers:

• What do I look for in a friend or spouse? In a mentor or guide?
• How do I respond in a crisis or other difficult situation?
• What qualities would I expect to see in the best version of myself?
• How do I interact with people, and how do I treat them?
• What qualities in my parents, grandparents, ancestors do I admire?
• What choices have I made in the past that made me proud?
• What makes me angry or frustrated revealing repressed values I may have?
• What gives me a sense of fulfillment and meaning?

Step #2: Identify core value themes.

As you look through the list of core values, you will see that some words have similar meanings or fall into a specific “theme.”

Group these words together and give them an overarching value word that you choose from your list of personal values.

For example, the words calmness, simplicity, and peacefulness may fall under a “mindfulness” theme.

Remember, you don't have to choose common values that you think you should prioritize. Select those that resonate most with what you want for your life.

Step #3: Narrow it down.

When you go through the list of values below, probably many of them (around 20 or so is not unusual) will stand out as more important or more meaningful to you than the others.

Then when you go through that smaller list, some will stand out more than the rest. See you if can reduce your personal core values list to no more than ten core values.

You may even want to consider what are your top 3 personal values that define who you are.

Step #4: Prioritize them.

See if you can rank your list of personal core values so you clarify what is most important to you. 

This may take some time, but do your best to examine where the buck stops for you. 

Of course, your priorities will change and evolve over time, so consider this ongoing work you revisit yearly to ensure you are prioritizing the correct values.

Ready to get started? Begin by reviewing the list below. 

The Ultimate List of Personal Core Values

Below are 100 core values examples with explanations for each. But you'll find PDF download further down on the page with 400 human values to give you a broader list.

As you read through these examples of values, ask yourself, “What are my values?” Remember to select those that feel authentic to you — the personal ideals you hold dear.

You take responsibility for your actions and their consequences, and you respect others who do the same.

You take pride in your conscious awareness of what exists or is happening around you – as well as within you.

You want everything in your life to be in the right proportion to everything else; no one thing dominates your life.

You make time to enjoy everything you perceive with your senses that makes you feel an inexplicable surge of happiness.

Those who are bold aren’t necessarily fearless; they’re just good at giving the impression that they are.

Think of the stillness of a lake’s surface when nothing disturbs it.

Essentially, this is the absence of any filth or contaminant — and you work to maintain it.

This word implies intimacy or a strong personal bond, especially between people.

Commitment is the difference between a goal and a daydream; it involves decisive action.

When someone has hurt you, you value sympathy and forgiveness more than the chance to punish them.

You have unshakable faith in your own powers or rightness of purpose or a strong desire to feel that faith.

Without a deep, personal connection, you can’t feel attracted to someone.

Living intentionally means living consciously, but you may be seeking consciousness on a higher level.

Contentment is a mental or emotional state of satisfaction wrapped in peacefulness.

You value your ability to work toward a common goal as part of a team; meaningful collaboration is central to your mission.

Courage is the ability to do what needs to be done in spite of fear.

Creativity uses the imagination to create new things and find new solutions to problems.

You place a high value on your capacity for making decisions quickly and effectively.

Determination is a firmness of purpose in spite of challenges in the relentless pursuit of a goal.

Others can count on you to do everything possible to keep your commitments, and you want the same from them.

You feel strongly that people should be treated in a way that show’s respect for them as fully conscious equals.

Someone who is diligent is persistent and careful in his work or other efforts.

Think of this as a set of expectations for yourself or others and the means used to enforce them.

This is the act of finding out or learning something new through exploration or experimentation.

You’re committed to exposing yourself to and appreciating the diversity of cultures, experiences, and beliefs in the world.

Think of the moral or legal obligations that bind you or someone else — and your commitment to seeing those obligations are met.

Consider this the process of learning through study, exploration, instruction, experimentation, or recreation.

Something is effective if it succeeds in producing the desired result.

You feel what others feel, and you probably consider this empathic value as an essential part of your identity .

You cherish the ability to give hope to others and build up their confidence.

To excel is to be outstanding in something or to have an exceptional degree of some knowledge or ability.

This can be a felt encounter with something or the foundation of your superior knowledge and understanding of something.

You embrace the title of expert in your field because you excel in your knowledge or skill

If you enjoy traveling in or through new places to learn about them, you have the heart of an explorer.

With your strong sense of justice, you insist on equal pay for the same amount and quality of work.

Faith is complete trust in someone or something, and it stands apart from both fanaticism and complacency.

You place a high value on your ability to bend easily without breaking — physically, mentally, or emotionally.

You pride yourself on your ability to focus on something (or someone) to the exclusion of everything else.

Freedom is the ability to do what you must without interference from external or internal forces.

You take pride in the way you handle your finances and in your avoidance of waste and unnecessary expenditure.

You look for ways to delight or amuse others to enhance their enjoyment of life — and your own; making time for fun is a priority.

You enjoy giving of yourself and of your time and other resources to others, and you want to pass along this value to your children.

It’s vitally important to you to show thankfulness and express your appreciation for the good things in your life.

You invest a considerable amount of your time and energy in your own personal development and in that of others.

Experiencing and sharing joy, satisfaction, and contentment are high priorities for you.

You prioritize a wholesome diet and an effective fitness regimen. You might start running or some other easy-to-begin workout to solidify health habits.  You also recognize the value of self-care to your well-being.

You place a high value on truthfulness in others, and you’ve made sacrifices to develop or preserve this quality in yourself.

You pride yourself on your optimism or sanguine perspective on the future.

Humble people base their self-worth on what they know to be true about themselves, and this makes them immune to the opinions of others.

You prioritize laughter for yourself and seek to bring more of it to others.

Integrity is when your actions and words are in congruence with your beliefs.

Intimacy can refer to close relationships or to activities that bring two people closer together.

Gut-level directions and insights are your 24-7 copilot (or maybe even your pilot).

You treat people exactly as you would want to be treated, and your kindness attracts others .

The motto, “Throw me to the wolves, and I’ll return leading the pack” resonates strongly with you.

You find opportunities for learning everywhere you go, and you can’t imagine your education ending before you do.

To show and to experience love in its fullness is inseparable from your will to live and your sense of self.

You expect the people close to you to be unwavering in their faithfulness, just as you are to them; loyalty is love put to the test.

Living in the present moment and enjoying all the good things in it — with intention and gratitude — is vital to you.

You enjoy all good things in modest or measured amounts — all the better to savor them and leave more for others.

You breathe in motivation throughout the day and keep the fire in you stoked and ready; you also love to motivate others.

You leave your eyes, your mind, and your heart open to new people, new knowledge, and new experiences.

You believe your tendency to focus on blessings and expect more of them is more in alignment with the truth than pessimism.

You value order — keeping everything in its place and making it easier to keep your spaces clean, clutter-free, and calming.

You love the novelty and buzz of new ideas, adventures, and artistic expressions; you breathe originality into each new creation.

You feel fully alive and electric about your life, your purpose, your relationships, and the work you do.

Life is too short to spend it in turmoil; let there be calm, forgiveness, and harmony within you and in your relationships.

You value the power of communicating effectively and persuading others to do things or to share your perspective.

Professionalism is kindness in a business suit; you treat your customers, coworkers, and other contacts as equals.

Dismantling poorly-constructed arguments and countering them with effective reasoning is your Legoland.

Your life motto could be “Use it,” because no pain or mistake is ever wasted — and you never give up.

Whether it’s authority, accomplishments, or service, you feel compelled to honor it with a certain degree of deference.

You know that real love involves sacrifice — giving up something good for something better or to serve someone else.

You want to feel free or safe from danger or the threat of violence to you or to those you care about.

Your greater susceptibility to pain comes with a greater receptivity to beauty and inspiration.

You’ll try anything once and some things on a daily basis, if possible — just to enjoy the sense experience.

You value your peace of mind so much, you prioritize words and actions that help you preserve it.

It’s not enough for you to get stuff done; that stuff has to have deep personal meaning or it has to contribute to a meaningful goal.

You like to keep things simple and to expel things from your life that make you feel cluttered inside or tied down by a million threads.

You’re drawn to genuine people, even if they’re not always nice; you admire their authenticity and work to emulate it.

You believe not only in the existence of spirits but also their power and your ability to connect with others through your own.

You need to feel that each step will meet solid, level ground; you hate uncertainty and imbalance and look for ways to correct both.

You cultivate bodily strength as well as inner fortitude, and you recognize and admire it in others.

The best stories (and buildings, etc.) have a solid, reliable structure, and you appreciate this when you see it.

Essentially this word means you’ve obtained the results you wanted — ideally without doing something you’ll regret.

You want to feel supported by others, and to be the kind of person others can count on for support when they need it.

Rather than rush to judgment, you put yourself in the other person’s shoes and try to see the situation from their perspective.

You put thought into the gifts you give and the actions you take for others, and you appreciate it when others do the same.

You spend as little as you can on everything from food to clothing to that new (to you) used car — regardless of your income.

You value other people’s time and expect them to return the favor by being punctual and finishing things in a timely manner.

You want people to know they can count on you to keep their secrets and have their backs, and you want to be able to expect the same.

When you truly know someone or something, you comprehend them with your heart as well as your mind.

You delight in your own uniqueness, and you enjoy helping others appreciate how they are unique and why it matters.

You value utility in the things you hold onto. You also strive to make yourself useful when the situation calls for it.

You appreciate virtue when you see it in others, and you work at cultivating it in yourself.

You see things most others miss, and you pursue things most others consider impossible.

Warm and messy trumps cold and immaculate every time; it’s all about the people.

You want to never have to wonder, “Do I have enough in the bank?” Wealth means living your life without being limited by money.

True and profound insights into people and things are a defining characteristic for you — or one you greatly admire in others.

You feel renewed when someone or something reminds you of your worth.

More Related Articles:

29 Of the Most Important Values To Live By

100 Goals To Achieve Before You Die

25 Good Character Traits List Essential For Happiness

Ultimately, knowing your core values is essential to knowing yourself and the power you possess.

Knowing those values is a prerequisite to creating a life in alignment with them.

In order to live intentionally, you need to be aware of the values behind your own words and actions and the values you want to see in yourself and to pass along to your children.

The more your life aligns with your core values, the better able you are to discover your purpose, to grow in that direction, and to contribute in the way only you can.

Need more specific motivators? Consider the following:

• Your Relationships: If you know your values, it becomes easier to identify those who share those values and those who do not.
• Your Peace of Mind: If something in your life is contrary to your values, you experience cognitive dissonance; this conflicted state prevents growth and even pushes you in the opposite direction.
• Your Legacy or Influence: If you know your personal values, you can decide which ones you want to pass along to your children — and how you’ll do that.
• Your Time: If you know your core values, you can stop wasting time jumping from one thing to another; you’ll have a better understanding of what fulfills you and why.
• Your Attention (and all that goes with it): Knowing your values and the ones you want to live by makes it easier to cut things out of your life that draw your attention away from what you truly consider important.

Ready to make your personal core values list?

Have the examples of values listed above helped you identify the ones that define you?

Are you ready to make your own list and to whittle it down to your top ten?

For now, don’t try to copy every word that makes you think, “Well, that’s a good value to have.” There are no bad values in the list, but some will feel more familiar and motivating to you than others will. Go with your gut.

And when you’ve made your list, why not challenge others you know to make their own lists and compare notes.

See which values you hold in common and invite them to elaborate on the values that differ from yours, so you can better understand them.

And may your curiosity and passion for growth influence everything else you do today.

3 thoughts on “The Ultimate List of Core Values And How To Find Yours”

This is a great list. You might also be interested in the Schwartz values. Social psychologist, Shalom H. Schwartz pioneered the Theory of Basic Human Values. His values framework distilled human values down into 10 values categories and 57 individual values.

Comments are closed.

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The meaning of personal values and how they impact your life

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What's the meaning of personal values?

Personal values versus core beliefs, why are personal values important, how can personal values improve self-awareness, how do personal values affect your professional life, 8 benefits of personal values, 10 examples of personal values, how to find your personal values: 6 tips, the importance of adapting your values, moving forward.

Whether you’re deciding to make a career change or trying to make space for more self-care , defining your personal values can act as a guide. But what’s the meaning of personal values, and how can you identify yours? 

You might not have a list of values sitting in your desk drawer. But the choices you’ve made throughout your life likely point to a pattern of priorities. 

Let’s say you value reaching certain professional milestones over excelling at your fitness goals . A new job offer comes your way. The recruiter explains that the schedule is demanding, and the job responsibilities have a steep learning curve.

But it’ll push you to grow your career in transformative ways. If you place a high value on your work goals , you’ll probably say “Yes,” even if it means stepping back from the 5K run you were training for. 

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to your personal values. Your true values can’t and shouldn’t be suppressed. They make life fulfilling and give you a better sense of self-awareness.

And without a clear understanding of them, you might struggle with self-discovery — the process of finding your true self. As a result, you may find it hard to make decisions, advance your career , or live a meaningful life .

Personal values are a set of guiding principles and beliefs that help you differentiate between “good” and “bad.” These are concepts like integrity versus dishonesty or hard work versus cutting corners. Everyone prioritizes their core values differently, and yours shape how you uniquely move through the world. 

Personal values influence your behaviors, relationships, and everyday life. They guide you through important decision-making, influence personal development, and carve your ideal career path. 

Everyone has a unique set of values. What matters to you might not align with your friends and coworkers. But you’re more likely to share personal core values with the people closest to you.

Research shows that you might even be more attracted to people who share your values . Partners, colleagues, and family members that share yours are big green flags for long-lasting relationships. 

And everyone expresses these values differently. Say you and your coworker both value community . Maybe you practice altruism and organize a company-wide food drive while your coworker plans leadership training for the whole team. These are both valid expressions of the same value. 

You may not be fully aware of your values, and identifying them can help you develop your career, cultivate interpersonal relationships, and spend your free time more purposefully. Understanding what’s important to you can help you align your actions with your inner self.

And this awareness helps you trim the toxic relationships, jobs, or situations that drain your energy so you can live your happiest life . It might even help you feel more fulfilled, since engaging in activities aligned with your values can ease depression and anxiety and improve your mental well-being .

Plus, having a career that reflects the types of values that are important to you can make you more passionate and purposeful in your work. This will ultimately help you succeed in your profession because you’ll have a deeper motivation to do well.

Both personal values and core beliefs guide your decisions and behavior, but you choose personal values and they’re typically positive, while you develop core bel iefs during childhood and they can be harmful or untrue.

You might value honesty and hard work, and you might carry the core belief that you shouldn’t express your emotions because your parents didn’t.

The value is something you think is important and want to express through your behavior, and the core belief is something you believe to be true about the world or yourself, regardless of the evidence. 

There are three types of core beliefs :

• Beliefs about the self
• Beliefs about other people
• Beliefs about the world

Adjusting these is often more difficult than re-evaluating your values, but you can do so by defining your core beliefs, noting where they stem from, and re-framing your understanding of the issue.

Your values form a significant part of your personal identity. They shape you into your authentic self and give you a sense of purpose and meaning, driving your personality, goal setting, and how you lead your life.

Your values also give you a better understanding of who you are. They help you work toward your dreams instead of against them. When you make decisions aligned with your personal values, you feel like your truest self. 

Personal values play an important role in your relationships, too. When you know how to articulate your values, you can set clear boundaries , establish healthy bonds, and develop relationships that honor your self-respect. 

And connecting with your values can help you connect with friends and coworkers who share them. A social network that shares your values can make your relationships more meaningful, supportive, and full of authenticity.

Lastly, prioritizing your values can help you communicate what you need in the workplace, with loved ones, and with friends. Sharing these important feelings can improve your overall well-being, since repressing your emotions can have harmful health effects . And psychologists believe that connecting to important personal values can act as strong motivation to recover your mental wellness . 

Self-awareness is your understanding of who you are and how you differ or align with other people. And self-knowledge — or how clearly you understand your values, attitudes, and behaviors — is integral to developing self-awareness. 

Deepening your self-awareness requires though tful self-reflection. It’s hard work that can make you confront behaviors, decisions, or actions that don’t align with the person you’d like to be. But it’s an important first step to self-improvement. 

Although it’s hard work, the self-awareness you gain through connecting with your personal values will encourage you to stay true to yourself, which will help you make better decisions , invest in your personal development, and strengthen positive relationships. Plus, the hard internal work can make you more confident, creative, and in control of your emotions .

Your personal values aren’t limited to your personal life. Let’s say one of your values is loyalty. This could impact your dependability at work and make you a reliable, trustworthy employee.

Being a loyal employee will help you move forward on your career path. Your coworkers may turn to you for leadership advice, and your manager might recommend you for promotions . 

Or, you could value honesty more than anything else. This could lead you to be a team player that values constructive criticism , collaboration , and integrity . That’s a trait your coworkers will recognize and appreciate, as it contributes positively to the team. 

Think about it this way: how could valuing confidence, determination, and perseverance affect your professional life? Your personal values influence who you are, so naturally, they shape the kind of employee or leader you are.

Personal values touch every aspect of your life. Besides improving your self-awareness and relationships, here are eight ways prioritizing your values can benefit your daily life:

• Boosts your confidence
• Provides you with a vision that informs long-term goals
• Creates a greater sense of purpose in your career goals and ambitions
• Helps you manage stress by focusing on what’s important in life
• Guides your decision-making with a sense of ethics, self-respect, and integrity 
• Informs a leadership style guided by treating others how you’d like to be treated
• Motivates you to be resilient during moments of conflict or great challenges
• Makes you feel more satisfied with the choices that are in alignment with your moral values

You might not know what values are important to you yet. That’s okay. It can take time to understand the meaning of personal values and what yours are. 

You might create an exhaustive list of values or just a few ideas, and you could rank them according to their importance. However you choose to define your personal values , the most important thing is to live by them. 

Here are 10 personal values examples you can use to create your list: 

• Professional achievements
• Independence
• Determination

You can choose your values intentionally, or they may also unconsciously develop as a result of your upbringing or culture. But even if you know how personal values are formed , it’ll likely still take some work to identify the values that guide your life. 

Here are six tips to help you find your values:

• Get to know yourself better by going on a journey of self-discovery
• Identify your short and long-term goals and the big priorities that connect them
• Limit influences (friends, family, coworkers, obligations) that try to dictate your personal values
• Reflect on times when you were the most at ease, and your well-being was at its best
• Think back to life experiences that felt like something was missing in your life, like teamwork , independence, or honesty
• Brainstorm a personal vision statement for your future and identify any core values

Life isn’t static — and neither are your values. At any time, life might throw a new challenge your way. A job, a growing family, or the end of a toxic relationship are all opportunities to self-reflect . And as you adapt to the changes , your values grow and shift with them.

Your values might move around in priority, too. Maybe you used to think a work-life balance was an optional job benefit. After having a child, it may become a non-negotiable priority. It’s important to adapt your values and set goals that reflect your current situation.

Otherwise, a demanding job that doesn’t give you room for your family values may leave you feeling burned out , resentful, or unmotivated. 

Making a habit of checking in and re-evaluating your personal values is a great way to make sure you strive for personal growth , respect your needs, and aren’t controlled by limiting beliefs . 

Values come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of importance. Finding your values takes sustained effort. They aren’t always as straightforward as you think. But they’re always with you, guiding your decisions and influencing your actions.

Now that you know the meaning of personal values, you can take the first step to identify yours and lead yourself to a more fulfilling life.

Committing to uncovering what you value in life will always pay off. You’ll have a greater sense of purpose, a better understanding of yourself, and be able to make decisions that help you achieve what you want in life.

Understand Yourself Better:

Big 5 Personality Test

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

Shift your core beliefs to unlock your full potential

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How to write a powerful personal values statement

Oct 3, 2020  | Updated May 2, 2024 by Jennifer Bridges  @JenBridgesRD

• 1. List your values
• 2. Group them into themes
• 3. Get rid of least important ones
• 4. Say why each is important
• Best practices
• Example statement
• How to use it

Talk to an expert

This post has been modified to reflect new information since its original publication.

If you haven’t identified the things that matter most to you, then you might end up working for a company that isn’t a good fit. For example, if you prioritize introspection and alone time, but you pass up a back-office role to take a customer-facing position because it offers more prestige, then you’ll quickly become frustrated. One way to avoid this problem is to write a personal values statement—a bulleted list that describes the things you care about. 

The more precisely you define your values, the more likely you will be to find a career that aligns with those values. A well-thought-out personal values statement is also a great way to show potential employers your personal brand and the high moral standards you live your life by.

Follow these steps to create a personal values statement that can serve as a guiding light for your personal, as well as your professional, life.

1. Write down the things you value

The first step is to brainstorm what traits, qualities, and characteristics you admire. Write down everything that comes to mind, and don’t worry about how long your list gets; you’ll condense it down to a manageable size in the next step.

Here are some common values you might consider. However, this list is far from complete. Don’t feel obligated to restrict your choices to those listed here:

• Achievement
• Dependability
• Determination
• Independence
• Intelligence
• Responsibility

If you are having trouble thinking of values to list, you can ask yourself these questions:

• What traits do you admire in others? —What values make a person special? Bravery? Compassion? Intelligence?
• Which values made your past successes possible? —Did you close that deal because of your persistence or patience? 
• What types of behavior inspire you? —This behavior usually represents a value you admire.
• What kinds of behavior make you mad? —This is usually the opposite of a value you appreciate.
• What are you most proud of? —Think of the value associated with your proudest accomplishment. For example, did you complete the marathon due to your fortitude or optimism?
• What’s the one thing you would change about yourself? —Is there a particular value you struggle with?
• Describe the happiest time of your life —What were you doing? What value is involved?

Once you’ve listed between 20 and 40 items, it’s time to start editing your list.

2. Group your values into themes

After you’ve created your list, you need to reduce it to a more manageable size. Luckily, many of the values you’ve listed will naturally fall under larger categories. 

For example: 

• Intelligence , learning , and discernment can all fit under wisdom .
• Responsibility , honesty , and honor can all fit under accountability .
• Respect , loyalty , and kindness can all fit under friendship .

Keep sorting items in your list until everything fits into an appropriate overarching theme. These themes are your personal values.

3. Eliminate the least important values 

Now that you’ve condensed your personal values list, you need to reduce it further by choosing the top five or 10 values to use in your personal values statement. An easy way to do this is to rank each one from most important to least important.

Try comparing two values at a time and ask yourself, “If I had to live without one of these values, which would it be?” Then, go through the rest of your list, two at a time, deciding which one is less important.

4. Write a sentence describing why each value is important to you

When you’ve finalized your list of values, you need to give each one a context. To do so, you should write a sentence or two explaining what each one means to you. 

How do you interpret this value? How do you live it in your life?

For example, if your value is empathy, you could say something like this:

“ Empathy—Being open to learning about others’ experiences and the motivations behind their actions. Letting people know you are there for them. ”

Personal value statement best practices

Everyone’s personal values statement is unique to them, but there are a few common guidelines to keep in mind when creating yours.

• Be authentic —Don’t try to be someone you’re not. There’s no point in writing a personal values statement if the values you list don’t come from your heart. 
• Get a second opinion —Show your statement to your family, friends, coworkers, and even your boss. These people know you best and will have the best insights and suggestions to improve your statement.
• Keep it current —Revisit your statement every year or so to see if it needs updating. Everyone changes over time. It makes sense that your values might change too. For example, getting married and having a baby might lead you to value financial security more than you did when you were single. 
• Ignore mundane values —Don’t leave a value off your list because you worry others might find it boring. Your list won’t be authentic if you self-censor your values.
• Rush the process —Writing an effective personal values statement takes a lot of time and introspection. Trying to whip it out during your lunch break is a sure way to fail.
• Include a negative —Don’t include any value that others might interpret as a negative, even if you think you can put a positive spin on it.

“ … your personal core values are there to guide behavior and choice. Get them right and you’ll be swift and focused in your decision-making, with clear direction. Get them wrong or leave them ambiguous, and you’ll constantly wonder how you got into this mess. ”—Kevin Daum

Personal value statement example

Here’s an example of a personal values statement by Ronald Huereca .

Creative/Innovative : Being creative/innovative is thinking outside the box on a lot of issues. It’s challenging authority and figuring out why things are done a certain way. It’s being proactive about fixing problems and finding solutions.

Intelligence : Intelligence is willing to learn and continue learning new things each and every day. It’s not afraid to ask questions and figure out the “in the mud” details.

Loyalty : Loyalty is staying on the ship no matter how violent the storm. When one is loyal, the person never leaves and never questions the integrity of his higher up.

Open Minded/Independent : Being open minded/independent is important in order to be objective to be a better decision maker. It’s realizing why one is making decisions and being able to see a broader picture.

Self Disciplined : Being self-disciplined is running in the 100-degree heat when nobody else is out there with you. It’s quitting the filthy habit that consumes you. It’s getting up for work when there is no one to hold you accountable. It’s being true to the God you will never see in this lifetime.

Self Aware : Being able to analyze one’s decisions and beliefs. It’s knowing why you made the decision and why you believe what you believe.

How to use your personal values

Now that you’ve created a powerful personal values statement, it’s time to put it to work. 

Promote your personal brand

It’s a good idea to add your personal values statement to the “About Me” section of your personal website or your LinkedIn profile . If you have a career portfolio , you can add it there too. This way, you can show potential employers and those looking to network with you what principles guide you.

Make career decisions

However, a personal values statement is most useful when you use it as a benchmark for making important career decisions. All you need to do is ask yourself “What would a person who values X do?”

Imagine you are offered a big promotion, but the new position requires relocating to another city. If you have school-age children and your family is your highest priority, then it will be easy to stay true to your values and turn down the promotion to avoid disrupting your kids’ lives.

“ When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier. ”—Roy E. Disney

Being sure of your values can also simplify the process of looking for a job. For example, if you value interaction, connection, and friendship, then you won’t search for any position that includes a lot of alone time. Conversely, if conversation, wealth, and adventure are what motivate you, then you will look for something like a sales job that involves a lot of travel.

To get a good idea of a potential employer’s values, you can ask probing questions like the following during interviews:

• “What’s it like to work here?” 
• “What’s the best/worst thing about working here?” 
• “How does the company recognize employees for their success?”
• “If you could change one thing about the company, what would it be?”
• “What kind of people tend to be most successful here?”
• “Does the company have any programs to give back to the community?”

Once you figure out what the company cares about most, you can decide if these values align with your own.

Write other professional documents

A personal values statement can also serve as the basis for creating a variety of other professional documents, including the following:

• Career goals statement
• Personal mission statement  
• Personal vision statement

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Be True. Be Strong. Be Focused.

Defining Your List of Values and Beliefs (With 102 Examples)

February 23, 2024

Do you want to live a life of integrity in which your actions align with your personal list of values and beliefs? Great, you’re in the right place to begin living true .

Many of us struggle with finding direction, making big decisions, and even knowing how to act in day-to-day situations. When you take the time to consider your core values, these things become crystal clear.

Core values point the needle of your compass, illuminating the pathway toward living a meaningful life — one that’s filled with passion and purpose .

Instead of allowing outside influences like media, pop culture, or social environment to shape your life, you can be true to yourself.

In this article, I will help you uncover your true identity by clarifying your values.

By the end, you’ll have discovered a unique list of values and beliefs to help orient your life. And even better, you’ll have a clear idea of what actions you can take to experience life in true alignment.

Do you want to overcome self-doubt and take action in your life? Try our mini-course Believing in Yourself ! Learn four proven tactics to embrace your true self and live strong.

Originally published on January 29th, 2020, this post was updated and republished on February 23rd, 2024.

102 Examples of Values and Beliefs

Take some time to explore this list of values and beliefs, and consider which ones resonate with you:

Core Values List

• Intelligence
• Advancement
• Forgiveness
• Work Smarter and Harder
• Involvement
• Personal Development
• This Too Shall Pass Attitude
• Communication
• Commonality
• Contributing
• Spiritualism
• Cooperation
• Love of Career
• Friendship/Relationship
• Encouragement
• Pride in Your Work
• Contentment
• Professionalism
• Relationship
• Facilitation
• Effectiveness
• Appreciation
• Willingness
• Trusting Your Gut
• Giving People a Chance
• Self-Respect
• Reciprocity
• Entrepreneurial

Now that you’ve got plenty of ideas, you can begin to narrow it down to a few that could become the basis of your core value system.

Here are some questions to help you see where these values show up in your life:

• How do you define this value?
• What actions and activities reflect this value?
• What else could you do to further align yourself with this value? 
• Could you do more to include this value in your daily life?

Being True to Yourself

“A lot of the conflict you have in your life exists simply because you’re not living in alignment; you’re not being true to yourself.” ― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You

Start With a Solid Base

Every house needs a sturdy foundation. You can build a beautiful home, but it will sink into the ground without a solid base. 

The same is true with your values. Just like the foundation of a home, core values provide the groundwork for your actions, decisions, and behaviors. 

Without a base, your “home” falls apart, and you lose a sense of purpose and direction. You may appear to be successful, but still, feel lost. Until you define what success means to you , you’ll be chasing empty accomplishments.

If you don’t understand your values, you may violate them without realizing it. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame, without knowing why.

Researchers confirm that when people have a clear set of core values:

• It’s easier to make big life decisions around pursuing passions, long-term career goals , and relationships.
• They are less likely to engage in destructive thought patterns, especially in difficult life situations.
• They tolerate physical pain more easily.
• They have greater self-discipline and focus when studying or working.
• Social connections are stronger.

Let’s begin by looking inward to discover what matters to you. It’s a process, and you might need support as you dig deep to find out what makes you tick.

The list of values and beliefs you are about to dive into is adapted from Be True: Discover Your Core Value System . It’s a course in which I walk you through proven exercises to find your truth and begin living it.

When you’re ready to start discovering how to figure out who you are , check out the course. In the meantime, here are some simple ideas to get you started.

Exercises to Define Your Personal Core Values

When it comes to core values, there’s no “one size fits all” approach. Everyone is different.

That’s why I don’t recommend jumping ahead to the list and choosing words that sound good. Instead, I invite you to pick up a pen and paper and spend some time on personal reflection — writing about what moves you.

Below are some questions to help you start this exploration. The answers you write down are clues you can use to identify your core value system.

1. Who Do You Admire?

To better understand what you value, it can help to turn to real-life examples of people who exhibit admirable qualities.

Who Are Your Role Models?

Think of some positive role models who inspire you to live a meaningful life. This could include people you know personally, famous figures, characters in a book, etc. 

As you think about these people, write down:

• What it is about them that inspires you.
• The admirable qualities they possess.
• Behaviors and actions you would like to emulate.

2. What Inspires You to Take Action?

Often our core values reveal themselves through our actions. Can you think of a situation when you took a stand for someone or something?

Try writing down some of the reasons you felt so strongly about taking action . For example:

• The feelings that motivated you to speak up or act
• What you were willing to risk in that situation
• The results of taking action – what you gained or lost

3. When Do You Feel Most Like Yourself?

When you’re in situations that allow you to be authentic, that’s a clue that you are in alignment with your values. And when you have to betray yourself to fit in or find success, you feel ashamed and alone.

In situations that feel wrong in some way, what’s going on? Write down:

• Who you’re with.
• What feelings are triggered.
• What these experiences cost you emotionally or physically.

In situations where you feel real and authentic, what’s going on? Write down:

• What activities are involved.
• Positive emotions or outcomes of these experiences.

Putting Core Values Into Action

Personal integrity.

When what you value the most is congruent with what you do, you are standing in your integrity.

Let’s bridge the gap between what you value and how to put that into action with some concrete examples:

Core Value Example: Freedom

If you choose freedom, you value “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.”

Here are some examples of actions you could take to align more fully with freedom as a core value and belief in your life:

• Express yourself freely and openly
• Build a life where you can create your schedule, travel, try new things, etc.
• Nurture relationships with friends and family who give you the freedom to be yourself
• Become your own boss
• Include enough free time in your schedule

Core Value Example: Wellness

If you identified wellness as a core value, the active pursuit of health would become a priority in your life.

Here are some day-to-day examples of how your short-term actions would line up with this personal value example:

• Fuel your body with nutritious foods
• Stay active through regular exercise
• Take care of your mental health by taking breaks, getting enough rest, spending time with loved ones, and asking for help when needed
• Avoiding self-destructive habits

Can you see how your short-term actions can put you more in line with your long-term core values? You can also use your core value system to assess opportunities and make decisions as they arise.

Core Value Example: Compassion

If compassion speaks to you as a core value, then you want to ameliorate the suffering or help heal the pain of others.

Here are some of the things you could do to ensure that your actions line up with compassion as a core value:

• Be aware of the needs of others around you
• Listen carefully and without judgment, especially when hearing about other people’s problems
• Speak with kindness
• Accept people for who they are
• Forgive people when they make a mistake

Core Value Example: Creativity

If you expressed creativity as something important to you, then you value being able to express yourself freely and deeply.

To incorporate creativity into your day-to-day life, you could:

• Ensure that your immediate surroundings are beautiful and inspiring
• Set aside time every day to draw, paint, write, compose music, or whatever action speaks to your creative soul
• Journal your thoughts to discover new and emerging ideas within yourself
• Join a group where people get together to express themselves creatively – this could be a theater group or an ecstatic dance collective

Core Value Example: Courage

If you identify courage as being something true to who you are, you find it compelling to stand up in the face of adversity, do what’s right, and take on tasks that are difficult, dangerous, or uncertain.

You can manifest courage in your daily life through the following actions:

• Stand up for others when they are being bullied or belittled
• Rise to the occasion in situations that scare you
• Take responsibility and accountability for your actions
• Say no firmly to people or actions that don’t align with your soul or values 

Final Thoughts on Being True

By intentionally living in line with your values, you will feel an increase in happiness, peace of mind, creativity, and flow. 

As with anything in life, identifying core values goes beyond checking boxes on a list. Being true to your core values involves a lifelong journey of discovery, experimentation, trial, and error. 

I suggest revisiting your core values from time to time. You can use this core values quiz to assess the degree to which you are following your inner compass. If it feels like you have drifted off course, or you’re completely lost, I’d like to help you get back on track.

You’ve just uncovered a formula for discovering your truth , and you don’t have to do it alone! Isn’t it about time to start living according to your core values?

About Lyn Christian

Hi there, I'm Lyn . My purpose is to support you to earn a living and live your life by doing what inspires you. To accomplish this, I work as a coach, consultant, TEDx speaker, author and founder of SoulSalt Inc.

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What Are Your Personal Values?

• Jennifer Nash

Three exercises to help you get to know yourself better.

Learning about what matters to you is key to the decisions you make in your life. Author Jennifer Nash shares how she re-discovered her values during a workshop.

• As a successful career professional and a new entrepreneur, Jennifer thought she was content with her life until she realized all that she had sacrificed to get there — friendships, finances, and family.
• Through the workshop, she learned that being vulnerable and open to change helped her deal with uncertainty better.
• She shares three activities that helped her learn more about herself — a life-wheel concept, a journey map, and reframing your thinking.

Early this year, I attended a three-week long workshop to help me improve my productivity and wellbeing. Walking into my first session, everything seemed normal. I met 19 other people from across the globe, we introduced ourselves, and then, we were asked to complete a self-reflection exercise. We were each handed a sheet of paper with a circle printed at its center. The circle was divided into eight equal segments: Career. Romance. Health. Family. Relationships. Spirituality. Fun. Finances.

• Jennifer Nash , PhD is an executive coach to senior leaders at Fortune 50 organizations, including Google, Exxon Mobil, JP Morgan, Boeing, and Verizon. A former executive at Deloitte Consulting, she is the CEO of Jennifer Nash Coaching & Consulting, helping successful leaders and organizations elevate performance. You can download her Success Toolkit here.

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Six Steps To Identify And Align Your Personal Core Values

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Managing Partner,  Harris Whitesell Consulting

Core values are your moral compass: what you deeply believe is morally right. What we must remember is that your core values are always believed or perceived to be moral or influenced by morality. However, these fundamental beliefs and guiding principles often trigger and fuel the thoughts, emotions and behaviors that help people realize moments of happiness and positive experiences and, ultimately, progress toward achieving goals, realizing success and self-transcendence.

We know that core values are developed through life experiences, familial patterns, social conditioning and consumption of content, events and opinions. Our beliefs that affirm our core values are often those unquestioned convictions that we accept as truth based on our own current cognition. Aligning and living our core values is where humanity places our feet on the ground running at full speed ahead.

Our values are carried both consciously and unconsciously and are embedded into every priority decision we engage and participate in. To better represent ourselves, align our core values and maximize our strengths and motivators, here is a process for keeping your core values aligned, being more intentional and making your relationships, work and life more meaningful.

To uncover what you truly value in life, you must commit to getting real with yourself and not view yourself through a filtered and conditioned lens. We must commit and choose to be deeply cognitive about this process and get vulnerable with the truth. So make sure you give yourself privacy and time or have a trusted advisor or coach working with you to help you define your core values.

Step 1: Write down all the significant moments that taught you something important in your life. Write down the good and bad, the challenging and rewarding, the happy and most difficult.

Step 2: Group and narrow them down. You may have quite a few, and some of them may be reflective of a single word. Spend time to think through your draft list.

Step 3: Place an asterisk (*) next to the ones that represent who you really are and those that support who you want to grow into . Those left unmarked are going to be accessories to your core values list.

Step 4: Select ten or fewer. These are the core values you are and will be demonstrating daily. The values you are intentional with. The values that are deeply meaningful. The values that align with your legacy, relationships, work and cognition.

Step 5: Every 30 days, spend 15 minutes evaluating your core values. Ask the following questions:

• Which values come naturally to me?

• Which values feel misaligned or inauthentic?

• Which values are difficult and hard? Why?

• Are there any values I need to remove, add and/or adjust?

Step 6: Every 12 months, perform a values report. This exercise is not only to evaluate your core values, it is to write a values statement that will serve as a rallying cry for the next year’s motivation and momentum building.

Ask yourself these and any other questions you feel are pertinent to your core values:

• What values drive my behaviors?

• What values drive positive relationships?

• What values drive well-being and good health?

• What values drive financial vitality, etc.?

• Have I done my best to build positive and lasting relationships? Take care of my health and well-being? Be responsible with my finances? etc.

Once you have answered your questions, update your core values list. Write a values statement. Post your core value and values statement in a place that is visible every day: in the bathroom, on your nightstand, at your desk, in your car — wherever you find an opportunity to allow the visual to be a motivator and charge the energy needed to keep the things you think, say and do aligned to your values.

When your personal values align with your workplace values, you are maximizing your ability to be engaged, productive and highly effective, thus realizing more moments of joy and happiness, resulting in more contentment and aligning to your life’s legacy.

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How to Focus on Your Values in Your Personal Statement

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by CEG Essay Specialist Kaila Barber in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered: 

Identifying your own values, demonstrate your values with examples.

• Reflecting on Your Experiences

It’s important to keep in mind what your reader is hoping to learn from your personal statement. The statement is an opportunity to reflect on your experiences and demonstrate how you think about and relate to the world around you. Specifically, what are some of your values? What’s meaningful to you? What do you find important? 

Personal values can be things like communication, patience, nature, health, personal development, courage, self-love, authenticity, healthy boundaries, or even humor. Before you start drafting your personal statement, take a moment to reflect on the things that you find important and why. 

We’re all very different people coming from different backgrounds, and we have different experiences that impact our individual values. While some of your values will overlap with those of other people, your personal reflection on the values that resonate most with you will separate your statement from someone else’s. 

The best way to include your values, skills, and traits in your essay is to pair them with specific examples and anecdotes. Each anecdote should align with at least one of the values that you find most important and should be accompanied by your personal reflection on the value and its related experience. 

Here’s an example. A student does not have a parent or guardian around to shoulder the expenses of caring for them and their younger sibling. In their outline, the student says that they value autonomy, financial stability, and family. Throughout the essay, they demonstrate these values by talking about getting a part-time job to help support the family and caring for their sibling at home. They also excel academically and even petition to have an AP Physics II course offered at their school. 

The student has shown autonomy by taking the initiative to petition for the new course and by getting a job. They have also demonstrated that both financial stability and family are important to them by pitching in to support their parent and sibling.

Your examples should show your reader your values by being specific and personal to your background and experiences.

Reflecting on Your Experiences 

Reflecting on your values is an equally important part of the personal statement. Your reflections or insight should focus on not only your experiences but also who you are and who you want to become. The insight you include in your essay shows that you’ve really found meaning from your personal experiences.

Insight can take a few forms. A common way to show insight is by writing about a growth experience. Show how you went from point A in your life to point B, and share the lessons you’ve learned along the way. For example, people often reflect on how navigating a strenuous activity or challenge changed the way that they thought about themselves and what they could handle. Reflecting on that change in confidence is one way to demonstrate insight.

One of the clearest ways to explore insight is to self-reflect and write about how something has either connected you to, influenced, or reframed how you think of your own values. Maybe you once pushed yourself too hard, and that experience showed you the value of rest and mindfulness. Or perhaps a change in circumstances shifted or redefined your values to an extent. 

For example, a person might say that while they craved stability as a child because of their home life, they now see the value of risk-taking and adventure in enriching their own knowledge and experiences. In this example, both security and risk are important to the speaker, but their experiences ultimately shifted weight from one value to another.

Regardless of how you approach your personal statement, insight is the overarching meaning that you take away from the relevant experiences and values you’ve shared.

Are you looking for more guidance as you draft your personal statement? Check out this post on how to come up with a strong topic that wows your admissions reader!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Core Values List

Below is a list of core values commonly used by leadership institutes and programs. This list is not exhaustive, but it will give you an idea of some common core values (also called personal values). My recommendation is to select less than five core values to focus on—if everything is a core value, then nothing is really a priority.

• Authenticity
• Achievement
• Citizenship
• Contribution
• Determination
• Friendships
• Inner Harmony
• Meaningful Work
• Recognition
• Responsibility
• Self-Respect
• Spirituality
• Trustworthiness

Note: many of the personal values listed above came from a list I received while working with The LeaderShape Institute.

Integrity Reports

I use my core values to create my annual Integrity Reports . Writing these reports is a yearly ritual that forces me to think about how I am living out my core values in real life.

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How to Discover Your Core Values List (and Use Them to Make Better Decisions)

June 14, 2017 By Taylor Pearson

TL;DR Making a core values list takes 15 minutes and will help you make better decisions.

Note: If you’d like to skip straight to the full list of personal values, click here .

Have you ever been faced with a difficult decision and not known which direction to take?

Have you ever spent days or weeks or months going back and forth on a decision? You start with “Yes I will do it,” then “no I won’t,” then back to “yes I will.”

Assuming you’re human, the answer to either of those questions is “yes.”

So how do you decide what to say yes to? And what to say no to?

You need to have a list of personal values to refer to.

Want a step-by-step guide to finding your personal values for the first time?

A Personal Values Definition

What are personal values? Personal values (sometimes called core values) are broad concepts that can be applied over and over again across a range of circumstances, as opposed to narrow answers to specific questions.

Your core values are what you consider most important in your life, literally what you “value.”

Whether you are conscious of them or not, you have values for every part of your life — parenting values, investing values, work values, and health values. There are also more overarching life values.

An example of a value would be:

Self-development : to keep growing, advancing, or improving in knowledge, skills, character, or life experience

This value could help you answer questions like “Should I take a slightly higher paying job where I won’t learn as much, or a lower paying one where I will develop my skills a lot faster?”

All successful people have values that allow them to achieve their goals. If you don’t have values, you are just reacting to events that happen in your life without thinking about how to best react to them in a way that lines up with what’s important to you.

Having a Core Values List Helps You Make Better Decisions

Most people have a bad taste in their mouth about core values because we typically hear about them in the context of companies that often blatantly disregard them.

Enron had a list of four core values including “integrity” and “communication,” which they talked about publicly, while behind the scenes they were actually lying and hiding information from their own employees and shareholders.

You’ve probably worked for a company that had a list of core values posted somewhere, but they didn’t seem to make any impact on the way the company was actually run.

But the truth is that creating a list of personal values is both useful and practical, because you can apply them directly to your own life. I make decisions based on my list every single week.

One of my core values is courage.

I discovered this was a core value for me, because I noticed a tendency in myself to pick projects that were not risky enough and have them fail as a result.

I would have the choice between two opportunities, and I would say “this one will almost certainly work, while the other one is a bit riskier, so I’ll do the easy one.”

Then I would start working on the project, and because it didn’t really stretch me, I would get bored or feel like I wasn’t reaching for what I was capable of. That would end with me quitting or doing subpar work.

In cases where I picked the seemingly riskier choice, I became very engaged in the project and while I was working on it, my capabilities grew to be able to actually do it well.

Picking the more courageous choice meant I was more likely to succeed and enjoy the process more.

By adopting courage as a core principle, I was able to identify that repeated failure pattern in myself and fix it. Given the choice between two opportunities, I now pick the one that is more courageous. I also make these decisions more quickly and efficiently than I did before.

If you aren’t conscious of this, you are likely to make the same mistakes over and over again.

Example: My Core Values List

So how do you put together a list of personal values? I’ll give some examples of personal values from my own life to help you get started in figuring out your own.

Some of them may be helpful to you, but others certainly won’t. I think the core values that are most valuable to each of us come from our own personal experience, not from being taught and accepting someone else’s.

My hope is that by reading through my list, you will get a sense for how a list of core values could be helpful in making better decisions.

• Agency: to choose how I live and behave and help others do likewise; to be self-supportive and choose my own way of doing things.
• Self-Development: to keep growing, advancing, or improving in knowledge, skills, character, or life experience.
• Courage: to be courageous or brave; to persist in the face of fear, threat, or difficulty; to take risks for others.
• Impact: to exert myself into the universe in a way I believe is important. I work for what I want, not what others want from me.
• Soul in the Game: I believe it is an ethical concern that I put my money and time where my mouth is, that I have no divorce between what I preach and my lifestyle. I believe the highest form of ethics is to take on risk for others.
• Reciprocity: to create more value than I capture.

How I Use My Personal List of Values

My personal values are very practical for me and I use them in two main ways.

First, I read over them every week as part of my weekly review . During my review, I reflect on the past week and make plans for the next week. In between reflecting and planning, I read through my core values document.

Second, I read them whenever I am struggling to make a big decision like moving cities or changing careers. Typically, reading through my core values list makes it obvious to me what the right answer is.

Over time, I find that I am getting better at internalizing the values and they express themselves subconsciously with smaller decisions, as well.

What if more than one choice lines up with your core values?

Sometimes a decision can go either way and both still match up with your core values. I was deciding between two books I wanted to write, and the truth is that both of them matched up with my core values.

In that sense, the decision didn’t matter. I could choose to write either book and I would still be in alignment with what matters most to me.

The decision then became more of a strategic question: Which of these books will sell more copies? Which will be most beneficial to my career? Which will I most enjoy writing?

However, the strategy question only comes after the values one.

Two Ways to Discover Your Personal Values

Most of us have values that we have adopted from other pre-packaged sources, like a religion, culture, or legal system. There’s nothing wrong with adopting values from somewhere else and often the values from these sources have incorporated a huge amount of wisdom.

However, by adopting a value system without much thought, it’s easy to hold personal values that lead to a conflict between what you say you believe and the actions you take. I’m sure you’ve met someone who says they believe in the tenets of a particular religious or spiritual tradition, but then they behave counter to its teachings.

So how do you discover your own core values?

1. Having and reflecting on life experiences

The best way to find your values is often through making mistakes and violating them. Good judgment comes from experience and you usually get that experience by making bad judgments.

One of the values I recently added to my list was:

Impact : to exert myself into the universe in a way that I believe is important. I work for what I want, not what others want from me.

This may sound egotistical and you may disagree with it. That’s totally fine.

Over a period of two years, I noticed that when I worked on projects that other people told me I should work on, I wasn’t really excited to be working on them. This meant I did poor quality work, and the project ended up not being very good for my own career or for my customers.

However, when I worked on projects that I believed were really important, even when other people thought they weren’t the best idea, I worked incredibly hard and talked about them passionately, which inspired others to help me. These projects ended up being more successful and helping more people.

So for me, the counterintuitive truth was that by working for what I want and not for what others want, I did more to help other people, which is also one of my values.

2. Hearing someone else clearly express a deeply held belief of mine

The other way I discover my personal values is by hearing someone express a deeply held belief of mine that I did not have the words to articulate.

One of my values is that “I have soul in the game.”

This is a term inspired by a phrase used in The Black Swan that immediately resonated with me. The book explains that having “skin in the game” means you are responsible for the consequences of your actions. Entrepreneurs have skin in the game because if they make a decision and the company tanks, they bear the weight of those consequences.

Having soul in the game is going a step further: taking on risk for others. Think of a whistleblower who speaks out at the risk of destroying their own career.

I’d never had a clear way to put it into words until I read the book, but this resonated with me so much that I added it to my list of personal values.

How to Make Your First Core Values List in Less Than 15 Minutes

1. look through this list of examples of personal values and pick five that resonate with you..

The first time you put together a list of core values, it’s easiest to start from an existing list.

Over time, you can reflect and add or modify these based on your personal experiences, or if you read or hear something that you find resonates with you. Remember that there are no objectively “right” or “wrong” answers.

Look through this list of personal values and make a note of each one that resonates with you by writing it down. Write down at least 10.

If you’d like to download this list to print off or save, you can click here.

• Acceptance: to be open to and accepting of myself, others, life, etc.
• Adventure: to be adventurous; to actively seek, create, or explore novel or stimulating experiences
• Assertiveness: to respectfully stand up for my rights and request what I want
• Authenticity: to be authentic, genuine, and real; to be true to myself
• Beauty: to appreciate, create, nurture, or cultivate beauty in myself, others, the environment, etc.
• Caring: to be caring toward myself, others, the environment, etc.
• Challenge: to keep challenging myself to grow, learn, and improve
• Compassion: to act with kindness toward those who are suffering
• Conformity: to be respectful and obedient of rules and obligations
• Connection: to engage fully in whatever I am doing, and be fully present with others
• Contribution: to contribute, help, assist, or make a positive difference to myself or others
• Cooperation: to be cooperative and collaborative with others
• Courage: to be courageous or brave; to persist in the face of fear, threat, or difficulty
• Creativity: to be creative or innovative
• Curiosity: to be curious, open-minded, and interested; to explore and discover
• Encouragement: to encourage and reward behavior that I value in myself or others
• Equality: to treat others as equal to myself, and vice versa
• Excitement: to seek, create, and engage in activities that are exciting, stimulating, or thrilling
• Fairness: to be fair to myself or others
• Fitness: to maintain or improve my fitness; to look after my physical and mental health and well-being
• Flexibility: to adjust and adapt readily to changing circumstances
• Forgiveness: to be forgiving toward myself or others
• Freedom: to live freely; to choose how I live and behave, or help others do likewise
• Friendliness: to be friendly, companionable, or agreeable toward others
• Fun: to be fun-loving; to seek, create, and engage in fun-filled activities
• Generosity: to be generous, sharing, and giving, to myself or others
• Gratitude: to be grateful for and appreciative of the positive aspects of myself, others, and life
• Honesty: to be honest, truthful, and sincere with myself and others
• Humility: to be humble or modest; to let my achievements speak for themselves
• Humor: to see and appreciate the humorous side of life
• Independence: to be self-supportive, and choose my own way of doing things
• Industry: to be industrious, hard-working, and dedicated
• Intimacy: to open up, reveal, and share myself — emotionally or physically — in my close personal relationships
• Justice: to uphold justice and fairness
• Kindness: to be kind, compassionate, considerate, nurturing, or caring toward myself or others
• Love: to act lovingly or affectionately toward myself or others
• Mindfulness: to be conscious of, open to, and curious about my here-and-now experience
• Open-mindedness: to think things through, see things from others’ points of view, and weigh evidence fairly
• Order: to be orderly and organized
• Patience: to wait calmly for what I want
• Persistence: to continue resolutely, despite problems or difficulties
• Pleasure: to create and give pleasure to myself or others
• Power: to strongly influence or wield authority over others, e.g., taking charge, leading, organizing
• Reciprocity: to build relationships in which there is a fair balance of giving and taking
• Respect: to be respectful toward myself or others; to be polite, be considerate, and show positive regard
• Responsibility: to be responsible and accountable for my actions
• Romance: to be romantic; to display and express love or strong affection
• Safety: to secure, protect, or ensure safety of myself or others
• Self-awareness: to be aware of my own thoughts, feelings, and actions
• Self-care: to look after my health and well-being, and get my needs met
• Self-control: to act in accordance with my own ideals
• Self-development: to keep growing, advancing, or improving in knowledge, skills, character, or life experience.
• Sensuality: to create, explore, and enjoy experiences that stimulate the five senses
• Sexuality: to explore or express my sexuality
• Skillfulness: to continually practice and improve my skills, and apply myself fully when using them
• Spirituality: to connect with things bigger than myself
• Supportiveness: to be supportive, helpful, encouraging, and available to myself or others
• Trust: to be trustworthy; to be loyal, faithful, sincere, and reliable
• Insert your own value here. 1

Next, go through the ones you wrote down and list them from most important to least important.

2. Save the Top 5 values on your list someplace where you can look at them and update them.

I keep my values in an Evernote note where I can easily look at them and modify them.

Your values are always changing and you’re also getting a better idea of what you value. I used to value novelty a lot — new experiences and new people. For a period of my life, that really was a core value and I prioritized my life around it. In the last few years, though, I’ve come to value spending time getting to know the people already in my life more than meeting new people and seeing new places, so I took it off my list.

The terms on the list above are just a starting point and not an exhaustive list. You also want to try and pick terms that emotionally resonate with you. The phrase “soul in the game” probably doesn’t mean anything to you, but it means a lot to me. Whenever I hear something that really resonates with me, I will add it to my list.

3. Look at them regularly.

Now that you have a list of values, you want to put it to work. Pick a time when you can regularly review them. If you have a time in your week, month, or year where you regularly do any sort of planning, reviewing your core values is a good activity to tack on. Regularly looking over them keeps them fresh in your mind and lets you make decisions that align with your values.

I look at mine every Saturday morning, which is when I do my weekly review and planning .

If you’d like to download a worksheet with the full list, enter your email below.

Takeaways on Making a Core Values List

There was a study done in the 1990s by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the author of “ Flow ,” where different professionals were studied to see which ones were happy and productive and which were unhappy and unproductive. The most important factor was alignment with personal values.

The happiest, most productive profession was geneticists because all parties involved respected the best science. Even though pharmaceutical companies were injecting a lot of money into the field, geneticists believed doing the very best science on a day-to-day basis led to more benefits for the general public, the pharmaceutical companies, their universities, and themselves — the work they were doing was in alignment with their core values.

The least happy, and least productive profession was journalism. Most journalists had entered the field with high ideals about truth, making a difference, and the free press. But the decline of the family-run newspaper and rise of corporate media empires made journalism a profit center where all that mattered was sales, which meant good journalism was bad for business and was replaced by scare stories, exaggeration, and scandal. Their values did not align with their day-to-day work.

A follow-up study done by McGregor and Little in 1998 2 found that meaningfulness of individuals’ personal projects depended on how consistent they were with core aspects of self and identity — in other words, their core values.

The happiest and most productive people were taking daily actions in line with their core values.

This gives them a constant sense of motivation, because they see how the work they are doing today leads to a long-term vision that they find meaningful.

Your personal values are specific to you and a result of your own life experiences. You can discover and refine your values through life experience or encountering ideas that resonate with you.

Having a written list of your personal values will help you make better decisions.

Want a step-by-step guide to finding your personal values list for the first time?

Acknowledgment: Ray Dalio .

Last Updated on July 30, 2019 by Taylor Pearson

• This list was originally sourced from https://thehappinesstrap.com/
• Mcgregor, Ian, and Brian R. Little. “ Personal projects, happiness, and meaning: On doing well and being yourself .” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 74.2 (1998): 494-512. Web. 10 June 2017.
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Unique & Effective Examples of Personal Value Statements

Table of Contents

In a world where external pressures can cloud our sense of self-worth, writing down a personal value can guide you in fulfilling your goals.

Personal value is the sense of worth and importance we attach to ourselves. It is an important aspect of our identity that significantly impacts our mental and emotional well-being as individuals.

Developing a solid personal value is essential for a fulfilling and meaningful life. The examples of personal value statements below will give you a concrete framework to build your own. 

Writing a personal value statement is a powerful exercise in self-discovery and self-reflection. It helps you identify your beliefs, goals, and priorities to understand better how they shape your identity and relationships with others.

This article will guide you toward writing a great personal value statement .

What Is A Personal Value Statement?

A personal value statement reflects the values that are important to you as an individual. It is a way of identifying and articulating the principles and beliefs that guide your actions and decisions. 

Personal value statements guide you toward making choices that align with your goals and values and help you manage your everyday life. It’s also a great way to communicate your goals and values to others. 

Your value statement may highlight traits you possess, like honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, responsibility, compassion, and courage. 

Importance of Personal Value Statement

Personal value statements are essential because they reflect the values that are most important to you as an individual. 

Here are some of the importance of personal value statements:

• They help set meaningful goals to help you increase your motivation and focus.
• A personal value statement may guide you in making decisions consistent with your beliefs and principles. When faced with several options, your personal value statement can help you choose the most aligned with your values.
• Your personal value statements can also influence how you interact with others. When communicating your values to others and acting by them, you can build trust and respect and strengthen your relationships.
• It helps in self-reflection and self-improvement. With your value statement, you can regularly review your values and consider how they are reflected in your actions. And also identify areas where you may be incompatible with your values.

How to Write a Personal Value Statement

1. Identify your values

The first step in writing a perfect personal value statement is to take some time to reflect on what is most important to you. Consider your beliefs, principles, and priorities. Then, write down a list of your values.

2. Select the most important values

After identifying and writing down a list of values, select the most important ones. These are the values that guide your decisions and shape your actions.

3. Craft your value statement

Next, use your chosen values to craft a personal value statement. Ensure that it is specific and unique to you. You can structure your value statement by listing it in bullet points or incorporating it into a longer narrative.

4. Use positive language

Let your value statement convey your motivation and strength through your tone and language. You can use solid and descriptive language to convey the depth and importance of your values. Remember to express yourself in clear terms.

5. Review and proofread

Always review your value statement to reflect your values and beliefs accurately. Also, check for any writing or spelling errors.

Tips for Writing a Personal Value Statement

• Keep your value statement concise and to the point. Avoid including too much detail or writing off-point.
• Use action words to describe how you live out your chosen values in your daily life. 
• Make it personal. Be authentic and unique in your value statement.
• Use positive language. Avoid using negative language or making negative statements about yourself.
• Always edit your value statement to ensure that it is clear, unique and accurately reflects your values. 

Examples of Personal Value Statements

• I value hard work, intelligence, and determination. This is because they are the qualities that allow people to succeed, and I will do all it takes to succeed.
• I believe that family is the most important thing in life. They are the ones who will always be there for you, no matter what. I am also a very devoted friend and would do anything for those I care about. Integrity is fundamental to me; I value honesty and fairness above all else.
• My values are independence, self-confidence, and authenticity. I strive for independence by being proactive and taking care of myself physically and emotionally. I have a strong sense of self-confidence which comes from knowing who I am at my core and accepting and embracing my flaws. Lastly, I believe in being genuine with others and ourselves. This means staying true to our beliefs and feelings while communicating openly with those around us.

More Examples of Personal Value Statements

• The most important values to me are honesty, integrity, and accountability. I believe that these values are essential for a positive workplace culture and productive team environment. I’m always honest with others, even when the truth is difficult to hear. I maintain high integrity standards in everything I do and hold myself and others accountable for our actions. These values are important to me because they create trust and respect among coworkers, which leads to better communication and productivity.
• I believe in hard work and dedication. I pride myself on being a reliable, motivated individual who always seeks ways to improve. My goal is to be an asset to any team or organization that I am associated with and contribute positively in whatever way possible.
• I am passionate about working with people to help them reach their goals. I strongly believe in every person’s potential and enjoy assisting others in finding ways to achieve their dreams. My goal is always to provide support and encouragement while being constructive and honest.

A personal value statement is personal and unique to everyone. It guides one to have a direction in life, a job, or a career. 

So, be as authentic as possible when writing yours. Be true to yourself, and highlight only the values that are most important to you. Always use your value statement to reevaluate yourself constantly. And make sure your values are reflected in everything you do. This will make you happier, healthier, and more successful. s

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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5 Steps to Write Your Personal Core Values Statement

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One of the things I can't stand is being phony. Being phony ties in with lying since you're not being truthful to yourself or others. It's one of the reasons I believe that honesty is so important, and it's also a core value of mine.

Having a decent set of values can keep you out of a lot of trouble in life and makes it easier to live with one's self. In a world that is inundated with bad behavior in the media and at work , it can be difficult to figure out what your values are – especially when such bad behavior is often rewarded.

It seems that everything we see or read about is in some way, a negation of values. This is one of the reasons why maintaining a decent set of values is so important. It can be a touchstone to help you make decisions, both large and small.

Plus, if you decide to have a family, you will influence the values of your children.

There are many ways to develop your own set of values. If you had good parents, think about what you learned from their behavior since childhood .

You may also find inspiration from public or historical figures who stood firm in their beliefs even when it didn't benefit them. Someone like Harriet Tubman, clearly had a set of personal core values that she lived by which were higher than her own self-interest.

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What are Personal Core Values?

Your personal core values are the things that you believe are important in your life . They guide how you behave and make decisions.

As mentioned earlier, I am an honest person, so I am usually true to my feelings. I am mindful of having to be careful about expressing honesty in different situations. I would rather remain silent than tell a lie to appease people. However, if I am honest and it does hurt someone's feelings, then I will apologize.

Despite having core values, life can sometimes test us and how we live up to our values. For example, let's say someone left a wallet full of cash by accident and no one is around. What would you do?

Someone who values honesty and integrity would return the wallet to its rightful owner. If you want to set your core value system in stone, it may be time to learn how to write personal core values!

Why Is Having a Personal Core Values Statement Important?

A personal core values statement is important because it helps you stay true to yourself . It can be easy to get caught up in what other people want or expect from you. However, if you have a personal core values statement, you can always refer back to it and remind yourself of what's important to you.

Your personal core values statement can also be a helpful tool in decision-making. Whenever you're faced with an internal conflict that may contrast your beliefs , you can consult your statement as a guide to make the best decision.

For example, let's say someone offers you a job that would require you to sell products to people. The products don't do what they claim and will end up hurting the people who buy them. Even though this job pays well, you may have to turn it down because it doesn't align with your personal core values.

How to Write Your Personal Core Values Statement

Step 1. know yourself.

The first step to writing your personal core values statement is to know yourself. That might sound like a no-brainer, but it's important to think about the things that are important to you. What do you value most in life? What qualities do you want to be known for?

One way to get to know yourself better is to take a free core values quiz . This quiz will help you identify your top core values and how they might show up in your life.

Another way to get to know yourself better is to reflect on your past experiences. What were some of the most meaningful moments in your life? What did you learn from them?

You can also think about people who inspire you. What qualities do they have that you admire? I certainly admire many things about my parents, such as work ethic, family values, and perseverance. When it comes to public figures, the late Maya Angelou possessed qualities such as courage and reflection that I find inspiring. 

Step 2. Choose Your Top Core Values

Once you've taken the time to get to know yourself better, it's time to choose your top core values. This can be a difficult task because there are so many values to choose from! To narrow things down, consider how each value feels to you. Which values resonate most with you? There is no set number to pick, so just focus on what sincerely resonates with you.

If you're having trouble choosing your top core values, our core values list can help. This list includes over 100 values, including education, congruence, and service. Who knows – you may relate to values that you didn't even know existed! 

Step 3. Write Your Statement

Now that you know what your top core values are, it's time to write your statement. If you need some help getting started, our core values worksheet can walk you through the process of writing your personal core values statement step-by-step.

Begin by introducing yourself and why you're writing the statement. For example, you might say “My name is Jane Doe and I am writing my personal core values statement.” Next, list your top core values. You can either list them in order of importance or just write them as they come to you. Finally, conclude your statement by reiterating why these values are important to you.

Here is an example of what a short core values statement might look like:

“My name is Jane Doe and I am writing my personal core values statement. The values that are most important to me are honesty, kindness, and respect. I believe that these values are important because they help me to be a good person. They guide me in my interactions with others and help me to make decisions that are best for me. I am committed to living my life according to these values.”

Step 4. Review and Revise

Once you've written your personal core values statement, it's important to review it and make sure that it feels right to you. Does it accurately reflect who you are and what you believe? If not, don't be afraid to revise it until it feels like a true reflection of yourself.

Your personal core values statement is a living document, which means that you can change it as you grow and change. As you go through life, your values may shift and you may need to revise your statement to reflect those changes.

Step 5. Share Your Statement

The final step is to share your personal core values statement with the people who are important to you. This could be your family, friends, or even your co-workers. Sharing your values with others can help them to understand you better and can also help to hold you accountable  to live according to your values. You may also get some useful feedback from others that can help you to refine your statement.

You may even want to get together with friends or family and do a group activity where everyone creates their own personal core values statements. This can be a fun and meaningful way to connect with the people you care about!

Who Should Write a Personal Core Values Statement?

A personal core values statement is a helpful exercise for anyone who wants to get to know themselves better . It can also be helpful for people who are trying to make difficult decisions or who want to create a more meaningful life.

If any of these things resonate with you, then writing a personal core values statement may be a good idea for you. 

You may have recently experienced a trauma or a life-changing event . If so, writing a personal core values statement can help you to make sense of what has happened and can give you a sense of direction for the future.

Young people about to make the transition from teen to adult face many pressures and decisions. Your personal core values statement can help you to navigate these waters by providing a moral compass that you can refer back to when needed.

Tips for Writing Your Personal Core Values Statement

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you write your personal core values statement:

• Be honest with yourself.
• Don't worry about what other people will think.
• Write down your values in order of importance.
• Keep it short and to the point.
• Make sure it feels like a true reflection of yourself.

Remember, your personal core value statement is about you. Sure, you can think about how others inspire or influence how you live your life. But, at the end of the day, it's up to you to decide what values you want to guide your life.

So, be honest with yourself and don't worry about what other people will think. Just focus on creating a statement that feels true to you.

Final Thoughts on a Personal Core Values Statement

Writing a personal core values statement is a great way to get to know yourself better and to make sure that you're living according to your values. If you've never written one before, now is the perfect time to get started.

Use the tips in this article to guide you through the process of writing your own personal core values statement. Also remember that it’s adaptable… meaning, as you change, your personal value system may evolve along with it.

Just make sure to revisit your statement from time to time and revise it as needed. Doing so will help you to stay true to yourself and will ensure that your values are always guiding you in the right direction. Read more about values in the article 65 Core Values Quotes That Define Your Personality .

Finally, if you need help with building habits, then check out this nine-step blueprint that walks you through the entire process of creating lifelong habits .)

Personal Statement Examples That Show Your Colors

A personal statement is a window into your character, offering a glimpse of your personality, your values, and your vision. By writing one, you can tell your unique story in your own voice, and make a lasting impression that will linger in the minds of those who read it.

In this article, we're providing examples of personal statements that will inspire you and give you a sense of what makes a strong application. With these templates as a guide, you'll feel more confident in your ability to get into top graduate schools. And if you ever need paper help , our service has got your back.

What is a Personal Statement

A personal statement is a narrative that provides insight into who you are as an individual, what drives you, and how your experiences have shaped your goals. Whether you're applying to a university, seeking a scholarship, or vying for a residency spot, your personal statement serves as a key element of your application that can set you apart from other candidates.

At its core, it is your opportunity to communicate your story in a way that resonates with the reader. It lets you go beyond grades and test scores to reveal the motivations, challenges, and passions that define you.

Personal statements often follow prompts or guidelines provided by the institution or organization to which you're applying. However, the most impactful statements are those that creatively respond to these prompts while still maintaining a strong, coherent narrative that ties your past experiences to your future goals.

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The List of Personal Statement Examples

Below is a collection of unique personal statements, each designed to stand out with memorable themes and specific narratives that break away from the ordinary. These examples prepared by our personal statement writing services highlight how to turn your experiences, challenges, and passions into compelling stories that capture the essence of your journey and the vision for your future.

Personal Mission Statement Examples

Title: Building Bridges with Words

My mission is to build bridges—not of steel or stone, but of words, ideas, and connections that bring people together in meaningful ways. I believe that every conversation, every piece of writing, and every interaction is an opportunity to create understanding where there was once division, to spark curiosity where there was once indifference.

From a young age, I've been captivated by the power of language. I saw how a well-crafted sentence could change a mind, how a simple word of encouragement could lift someone's spirit. But I also witnessed how words could be used to hurt, to divide, and to isolate. This duality fueled my desire to harness language for good, to use it as a tool for connection rather than a weapon for division.

In my work, I strive to be a connector—a person who can bring diverse perspectives together, who can translate complex ideas into accessible concepts, and who can find common ground even in the most polarized conversations. I see every challenge as an opportunity to build another bridge, to link people across cultural, ideological, or experiential divides.

My mission extends beyond my professional life. In my personal interactions, I aim to listen deeply, to speak thoughtfully, and to approach every conversation with empathy and openness. I believe that by understanding others, we can better understand ourselves and the world around us.

I am committed to lifelong learning, recognizing that each day brings new opportunities to grow, to learn, and to build more bridges. My mission is not just to achieve personal success but to create a legacy of connection, where the words I choose and the actions I take bring people closer together, fostering a world where understanding, compassion, and unity are the foundation of every bridge we build.

Law School Personal Statement Examples

Title: A Passion for Justice: My Journey to Law School

Growing up in a small town where the law was often seen as distant and impersonal, I witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of legal injustices. My grandmother, a hardworking immigrant, faced years of discrimination and exploitation in her workplace. Despite her tireless efforts, she was unable to find justice through the legal system. It was this experience that ignited my passion for law and my determination to become a force for positive change.

During my undergraduate studies, I delved deep into legal theory and history, exploring the ways in which the law has been used to uphold and challenge social hierarchies. I was particularly drawn to the intersection of law and social justice, recognizing the power of the legal system to address systemic inequalities.

One summer, I had the opportunity to intern at a public interest law firm specializing in immigration law. There, I worked closely with clients who faced deportation and separation from their families. I learned the immense stress and uncertainty that these individuals endured, and I witnessed the transformative impact that legal representation could have on their lives.

Through my experiences, I have developed a strong commitment to using the law as a tool for social justice. I believe that lawyers have a unique responsibility to advocate for the marginalized and to challenge unjust systems. I am eager to pursue a legal career that will allow me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

I am confident that my academic background, combined with my personal experiences, has prepared me to excel in law school. I am eager to contribute to a diverse and intellectually stimulating learning environment, and I am committed to using my legal education to create a more just and equitable society.

Medical School Personal Statement Examples

If you're seeking exceptional med school personal statement examples, the following template can serve as a valuable starting point.

Title: A Needle's Purpose

The sting of the hypodermic needle, a sensation I've come to know intimately. Not as a patient, but as a volunteer at the local clinic. It's a sensation that simultaneously elicits a pang of fear and a surge of purpose. I recall a particular afternoon when a young boy, no older than ten, was brought in with a severe asthma attack. His wheezing was labored, his eyes wide with terror. As the attending physician administered a nebulizer treatment, I watched, my heart pounding in my chest. When the boy's breathing finally steadied, a sense of relief washed over me. In that moment, I knew that medicine was my calling.

Beyond the clinical setting, I've also had the opportunity to explore the intersection of healthcare and public policy. As a research assistant on a project studying the impact of healthcare reform in my region, I gained a deeper understanding of the systemic challenges facing our healthcare system. This experience has fueled my desire to become a physician who is not only skilled in patient care but also committed to advocating for equitable access to healthcare for all.

My experiences have taught me that medicine is more than just treating diseases; it's about caring for individuals and communities. I am drawn to the challenge of applying my scientific knowledge and clinical skills to improve the lives of others. I am eager to contribute to the medical field and to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of my patients.

If this template hits the right note, our medical school personal statement editing services are ready to fine-tune it for you!

Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

Title: From Failure to Fuel

"Failure is not the opposite of success; it's the catalyst that has driven my most significant achievements."

As a psychology undergraduate, I faced a daunting challenge: a research project that yielded unexpected, disappointing results. Initially, I viewed this outcome as a failure, a blemish on my academic record. However, through reflection and guidance from my mentor, I realized that the very unpredictability of research is its greatest strength. This experience sparked an intense curiosity in me, leading to a deeper understanding of the complexities of human behavior and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.

Rather than shying away from this challenge, I embraced it, using the opportunity to develop a more nuanced approach to research. I delved into advanced statistical methods and honed my ability to think critically about data that didn't conform to expectations. This experience taught me that research is not about finding easy answers but about asking better questions, even when the answers are elusive.

This perspective has shaped my academic journey and fuels my desire to pursue graduate studies. I see my perceived weakness—initially feeling overwhelmed by unexpected results—as a critical strength. It has made me more adaptable, resourceful, and committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

I am eager to bring this mindset to your graduate program, where I can contribute to and learn from a community of scholars who share my passion for psychology. My journey has been defined not by easy successes but by the challenges I've embraced and the growth they've spurred. I am ready to take the next step, confident that my ability to turn setbacks into opportunities will serve me well in the rigorous, rewarding environment of graduate study.

If one of these templates catches your eye, feel free to buy a personal statement that's made-to-measure just for you!

Personal Vision Statement Examples

Title: In the Space Between Notes

My life's symphony is composed in the spaces between the notes. In music, the rests are as crucial as the melody, defining the rhythm, the pace, and the emotional impact of the piece. I see my life's journey much the same way—not just in the actions I take, but in the pauses, the reflections, and the moments of stillness that allow me to hear the music more clearly.

In the past, I used to focus solely on the crescendo—the big achievements, the high points. I believed that life was a series of grand performances where only the loudest, most spectacular notes mattered. But as I grew, I began to understand that the true beauty of a symphony lies in its balance, in the harmony between sound and silence.

I envision my future as one where I create not just a career, but a life that resonates with this balance. My goal is to become a leader in my field, not by rushing from one achievement to the next, but by being thoughtful in my actions, intentional in my decisions, and open to the unexpected melodies that life offers. I want to lead with empathy, understanding that the quiet moments often speak the loudest, that listening is as powerful as speaking.

In my personal life, I aspire to cultivate deep, meaningful relationships, to be present in the moments that matter most, and to find joy in the simple, unplanned interludes. I seek to live with purpose, but also with grace, allowing myself the freedom to pause, to reflect, and to adapt as the music of my life changes.

Ultimately, my vision is to compose a life that is rich with meaning, where every note and every rest contributes to a harmonious whole. I aim to create a legacy that isn't just remembered for its achievements, but for the way it moved others, for the way it lingered in the spaces between.

Personal Statement Examples for College

The below narrative is one of our unique college personal statement examples you can use as inspiration.

Title: The Art of Folding Paper

I learned more about life from a sheet of paper than from any textbook. My fascination with origami started as a simple hobby, a way to pass the time on rainy afternoons. But as I folded my first crane, I realized I was doing more than just creating art; I was practicing patience, precision, and perseverance.

Origami is deceptively complex. A single wrong fold can distort the entire figure, but with each mistake, I discovered something new. I learned that a wrong fold doesn't mean the end—it's an opportunity to start again, to reshape the paper, and, often, to create something entirely unexpected and beautiful.

In high school, I brought my love for origami into the classroom, using it to explain complex concepts in physics and geometry to my classmates. A paper crane became a lesson in symmetry, a folded frog, an exploration of potential and kinetic energy. I even started an origami club, where we explored the intersection of art and science, creativity and logic. What began as a solitary pursuit transformed into a way to connect with others, to share ideas, and to look at problems from different angles.

Outside of school, origami helped me navigate the challenges of adolescence. When my parents divorced, folding paper became my refuge, a way to process emotions that words couldn't capture. Each fold was a step toward understanding, each completed figure a small triumph of order over chaos. It taught me that even in the most complicated situations, there's a way to create something meaningful if you're willing to keep folding, keep trying.

Now, as I look ahead to college, I see it as a blank sheet of paper—full of possibilities, ready to be shaped by the choices I make and the experiences I seek. I'm eager to bring my passion for both the arts and sciences to your campus, to fold my love for learning into every aspect of my education. Just as I've done with origami, I plan to explore the unexpected intersections, to create something unique and intricate from every opportunity.

In the end, a piece of paper, like life, can be anything you want it to be. It's all in how you fold it.

Residency Personal Statement Examples

Title: The Night I Decided to Stay

Residency wasn't always in the plan. In fact, the night I decided to stay in medicine, I had my resignation letter drafted. I was a third-year medical student, standing alone in a dimly lit hospital hallway, utterly drained from another 30-hour shift. The endless rotations had blurred into a monotonous routine of rounds, notes, and more rounds, and I began to question whether this was truly the life I wanted.

That night, I was assigned to the emergency department, where I met Mrs. Greene, a 67-year-old woman with a history of heart disease. She had collapsed at home and was brought in by ambulance, unconscious and unresponsive. Her family was frantic, desperate for answers I didn't have. As I followed my attending into the room, I felt a wave of anxiety. This wasn't a textbook case; it was a real person whose life hung in the balance.

The resuscitation was intense. I was there, chest compressions, adrenaline injections, the relentless rhythm of the defibrillator. As the team worked, I could see the fear in her daughter's eyes, and it struck me that this was about more than just a medical emergency. This was about a family in crisis, a life teetering on the edge.

After what felt like an eternity, Mrs. Greene's pulse returned. The attending physician calmly directed the team, and we stabilized her enough to move her to the ICU. As we wheeled her away, her daughter grabbed my hand and whispered, "Thank you." It was a simple phrase, but it cut through my exhaustion, through the doubts and the fatigue.

I didn't leave the hospital that night. Instead, I sat down with my resignation letter, re-read it, and then ripped it up. I realized that medicine wasn't just about the science or the protocols—it was about moments like this, moments when you're not just treating a condition, but caring for a person, when your presence and perseverance can mean the difference between despair and hope.

Residency will be grueling, I know that. But I also know that it's where I'm meant to be. The night I decided to stay was the night I realized that medicine isn't just a career; it's a calling. And I'm ready to answer it.

Common App Personal Statement Examples

Title: The Day I Became an Engineer

I became an engineer on a blistering summer afternoon, though I didn't know it at the time. I was eight years old, crouched over the engine of my father's old Ford truck, hands smeared with grease, staring intently at a mess of wires and bolts. The truck had died in the middle of nowhere, miles from home, and with no mechanic in sight, my father turned to me and said, "Let's figure this out."

There was no manual, no diagram, just a young girl and her father armed with determination and a rusty toolbox. The heat was relentless, but I was captivated. Together, we deciphered the puzzle of the engine, tracing wires, testing connections, and slowly piecing together how the machine worked. After hours of trial and error, a spark of understanding ignited within me. When the engine finally roared to life, I felt a surge of pride that was as much about solving the problem as it was about discovering my own potential.

That moment in the desert wasn't just about fixing a truck; it was the first time I understood the power of curiosity and persistence. The feeling of triumph in the face of uncertainty stayed with me, and it became a defining aspect of who I am. It's what led me to join the robotics team in high school, where I spent countless nights debugging code and reassembling circuits, chasing that same spark of understanding.

But engineering, I've come to realize, isn't just about building machines. It's about constructing solutions, piece by piece, for problems that seem unsolvable. Whether I'm designing a new prototype or figuring out how to balance equations in physics, I approach each challenge with the same mindset I had as that eight-year-old in the desert: Let's figure this out.

I'm applying to college not just to learn, but to continue building—ideas, innovations, and a future where no problem is too complex to tackle. I've been an engineer at heart since that sweltering afternoon, and I'm ready to take the next step, not with all the answers, but with the confidence that I can figure them out.

Personal Statement for University Examples

Title: Designing the In-Between

"I've always been fascinated by the spaces between—those fleeting moments when science meets art, where precision meets creativity."

Growing up, I was equally enthralled by the elegance of mathematical equations and the expressive power of a blank canvas. While most saw these as distinct, even opposing interests, I found a profound connection between them. Mathematics, with its rigid structure and logic, offered me a way to understand the world's complexities. Art, on the other hand, gave me the freedom to express the nuances that numbers alone couldn't capture.

In high school, this dual passion led me to an unlikely pairing: architecture. It was in drafting rooms and design studios that I discovered my true calling. Here, the geometric precision of calculus met the boundless creativity of artistic vision, and I found a space where I could truly thrive. Designing structures that were not only functional but also aesthetically compelling was more than a challenge; it was a thrilling pursuit that combined everything I loved.

My projects, often inspired by natural forms and abstract patterns, have taught me to see beyond the obvious, to push boundaries and explore unconventional solutions. In one project, I designed a library that mimicked the flow of water, using mathematical principles to create a space that was both serene and dynamic. This project was a turning point for me, solidifying my belief that the most innovative designs emerge when you allow different disciplines to inform each other.

I believe that the future of design lies in the spaces between—where art and science, creativity and precision, meet. I am ready to contribute my unique perspective and learn from a community that values innovation as much as I do. This program is not just a step in my academic journey; it's the place where I can turn my vision into reality.

Personal Statement for Scholarship Examples

Title: Language as a Bridge

As a child, I watched my parents meticulously fill in forms in a language they barely understood. They had immigrated to this country with dreams of a better life but lacked the resources to fully grasp the complexities of their new world. This experience ignited in me a passion for language—not just as a means of communication, but as a bridge to opportunity.

I began tutoring English as a second language in high school, working with students from diverse backgrounds who, like my parents, struggled with the nuances of a new language. Each session was more than just a lesson; it was an opportunity to empower someone else with the tools they needed to navigate and thrive in society. Through this work, I realized that language is power, and education is the key to unlocking it.

This passion for language led me to pursue a degree in linguistics, where I explored the intricacies of phonetics, syntax, and semantics. I became fascinated by the ways in which language shapes our perceptions and interactions. But I didn't stop at theory—I sought to apply my knowledge practically, volunteering in legal clinics to assist non-English-speaking immigrants with their cases. I translated, I advocated, and most importantly, I listened.

The scholarship I am applying for will enable me to continue this work, allowing me to pursue a graduate degree focused on language acquisition and policy. With this education, I plan to develop programs that not only teach language but also empower individuals to use their voices for change.

My journey has taught me that a blank page is not to be feared—it is a chance to create something meaningful. I am determined to turn every challenge into an opportunity for growth, not just for myself, but for those I am committed to helping. This scholarship would be the next step in my mission to ensure that language is a gateway, not a barrier, to a better life.

The Bottom Line

Remember, your personal statement should be unique to you. Don't try to imitate someone else's style or story. Be honest, be yourself, and let your passion shine through. With careful planning and thoughtful writing, you can create a statement that will help you stand out from the crowd. Meanwhile, check out our separate guide on how to write education on resume —you’ll need it to back up that stellar statement!

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Annie Lambert

specializes in creating authoritative content on marketing, business, and finance, with a versatile ability to handle any essay type and dissertations. With a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a passion for social issues, her writing not only educates but also inspires action. On EssayPro blog, Annie delivers detailed guides and thought-provoking discussions on pressing economic and social topics. When not writing, she’s a guest speaker at various business seminars.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

Personal statements - Career Services . (2024b, August 8). Career Services. - https://www.uwb.edu/career-services/resources/cover-letters/personal-statements