Find your top three values by elimination

Asked what you value, you would reel off ten words that all sound nice and mean little. This forces a choice: circle ten values from a list, then cut and cut again by elimination until three remain. The discomfort of dropping the rest is the point. You end with three values you can actually use to make decisions, not a vague wish list.

This is a values clarification exercise. Work through it in order without skipping ahead.

Step 1: From this list, circle the ten values that feel most like you:
Achievement, Adventure, Authenticity, Autonomy, Balance, Compassion, Creativity, Courage, Dependability, Excellence, Family, Freedom, Growth, Honesty, Humour, Impact, Justice, Kindness, Learning, Loyalty, Mastery, Meaning, Openness, Security, Service, Solitude, Tradition, Trust.

Step 2: From your ten, eliminate five. You must eliminate exactly five.

Step 3: From your five, rank them 1 to 5.

Step 4: For your top three, write one sentence each: 'This is a core value for me because in my life it shows up as...'

Step 5: Look at your top value. In the last week, did you live by it? What would have to change for you to live by it more?