# How to determine your Personal Value System Having a clear understanding of your [[Personal Value System]] is useful. Let's see how to bring clarity around that. First, understand what core values are: [[Core values examples]]. The, identify your values, using the following guide: [[How to identify your values]]. Answer the different questions to quickly identify your values. Be as objective as you can. Then, based on your answers to the questions, you should try to identify and list your current values. I personally limit my list to 10 items. It’s tough because it requires making hard choices. If you’re unsure what you values are, it can be useful to start with a list of your needs (e.g., security, safety, personal growth, autonomy, self-esteem, love, etc). Once you have your top 10, you should determine the importance of each value. This is important because not all values are equal. The result will be your [[Personal Value System]]. ## Template To determine the importance of each value, you can use the following template: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17T2C0_biPno29y1YzERnoUL40lK7ODr-Ly7fci3Xwh4/edit?usp=share_link First, make a copy of the template. Ideally, you should store it in your own filing system (as we’ll discuss in the Personal Organization part). Here’s how the template looks like: ![[Knowledge Worker Kit - 01.01.02 Values - How to define your Personal Value System - template.png]] Here’s how to use it: - List your 10 values in the first column and in the first row (replace the letters A to J) - Compare the value of each column with the value in each row put a “1” in the corresponding cell when the value of the column feels more important to you than the value in the row - For example, if you evaluate the column “A” with the row “B” and put a “1” in the cell, then it means that value A feels more important to you than value B - Once done, the “Results” row will give you the final score for the value of each column - Replace the letters next to “Top 10” with your results - This is your current top 10 - Associate a verb or sentence with each value in your top 10 - Instead of “family”, write something like “My family comes first. I want them to be happy. I want to be present for them” - Rename the sheet’s name by the current date to keep track of your values over time You should store this in your Personal Organization System (cfr [[Knowledge Worker Kit - 12 Personal Organization]]). If you don’t have one yet, then file it along with your personal files for now. Later on, you’ll get to organize it properly. ## Example I personally try to align my values with my own needs. This way, I build a Personal Value System that aligns with what I need to be whole and happy. Here is a copy of my current list of needs and values: ![[How to determine your Personal Value System - example.png]] Cfr [[My Personal Manifesto.canvas|Needs Values and Principles]] As you can see, each personal value in my top 10 relates to one or more of my main needs (ignoring base needs like food and water, of course). ## Reviewing your Personal Value System Personal values shift over time, but never fundamentally. Core values tend to be fairly stable over time, but our “secondary” ones do change as we learn and grow. So it’s worth revisiting your list from time to time. Add a yearly reminder to your calendar and take the opportunity to check in with yourself and review your Personal Value System. During your review, ask yourself the same questions, and determine how your values have evolved. Depending on the evolution, you should ponder whether you should also adapt your goals, non-goals, projects, and priorities. Some life experiences have a deep impact on us, and they change our perspective on life. Covid did that to most of us. People who had long commutes, or worked long hours, realized while working from home that they were missing out big time. Having a child or losing someone near and dear, having an accident, losing a job, etc. All of those events can impact our [[Personal Value System]] and change the direction we want to take in life. So, revisiting your values is not anecdotal; it can really help inform decisions and actions and help us remain aligned. When you review your values, don’t forget to update your Personal Value System. Keep a copy of the previous version and adapt the content. That way you’ll be able to see how your values have shifted over time. # Actions - Identify your personal values (limit to ~10) - Determine the importance of your values to define your Personal Value System - Add a yearly reminder to check in with yourself - Review your Personal Value System - Compare your previous and current values - Determine if those changes have an impact on the rest or not (goals, non-goals, projects and priorities) and adjust what needs to be ## Resources - Personal Value System Template: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17T2C0_biPno29y1YzERnoUL40lK7ODr-Ly7fci3Xwh4/edit?usp=share_link ## Related - [[Personal Value System]] - [[How to identify your values]] - [[Core values examples]]