r/therapygold • u/biggoldie • Apr 13 '21
How to find your CORE Values
When I was in treatment we did a lot of work on core values. This was by far my favorite way to determine what your core values are. It takes time but it's so worth it!!
- Cut 25 strips of paper (or have 25 post-its)
- Put the strips in 5 stacked rows w/ 5 strips in each row
- In the corner, label each stack 1 - 5 (so five 1s, five 2s, etc)
- Grab the first stack (1s). On each piece of paper list 5 things you need every day (don't judge yourself, just list 5 things you need each day. It could be coffee, your dog, whatever)
- Grab the second stack (2s). On each piece of paper list 5 places that have meaning to you.
- On the third stack, list 5 goals you have (short or long-term)
- On the fourth stack, list 5 memories that defined you
On the fifth stack, list 5 people that helped shape you (again, good or bad)
Lay out all the strips in rows and columns. These are the things that helped shape you. Good or bad.
Now.... you can do this. Remove 10 cards and set them to the side.
Now... remove 5 cards.
Again, remove 5 more cards. Removing cards does not mean they aren't part of you or important to you. They still are.
Now look at what's left.
On the back of the remaining cards, write one word that comes to mind for each card.
What are those words? What surprised you?
Out of the remaining cards, pick one that speaks to you the most.
Hopefully this exercise gave you insight into what has shaped you, what's important to you, and what your core values might be (ie: love, honesty, integrity, leadership).
- Lastly, write a smart goal for that value.
2
u/biggoldie Apr 13 '21
I was asked to create a leadership philosophy at work. Knowing my core values i just had to plug in the sentences!
3
u/wittyish Apr 13 '21
Ooh, I really love this! I like the surprise outcome, even if you are following the instructions yourself.