Hello, Reader,
I had absolutely no sense of self a couple of years ago. Part of my healing journey was to figure out who I was, and it seemed logical that I would start with my basic traits.
Except I couldn’t even figure those out. I didn’t know what my favorite color or food or song was. I didn’t have personal dreams for my future. I didn’t know what I cared about.
I came across this website, which is what I want to share with you today.
It’s a site with a free assessment designed to help you narrow down your core values as a person.
Benefits of Understanding Your Values
I’ve taken it a handful of times over the past few years and my results remain mostly consistent. I use it as sort of a guide, like my own personal compass, my north star. You may not always be able to pick the perfect thing to do, but I don’t think you’ll regret living true to yourself and your values.
I’ve also shared this with friends, and it’s been really interesting to see how people’s lives all align with their beliefs. Like, “duh”, writing that out sounds so obvious, but I have struggled before to remember that we all prioritize different things.
A little example to show what I mean:
Say two friends are meeting up at noon for lunch. One friend arrives five minutes early and the other is 15 minutes late.
How their personal values could be altering their perceptions of this:
Person One might have the core value of respect, and they view showing up early as a sign of respect for someone’s time. Person Two may have a core value of helping others, and there was an elderly person in the parking lot who needed help crossing the street and loading groceries into their car.
I think both people in this situation have good traits, but it would be easy for both people to feel upset here. Person One may feel disrespected. Person Two may feel like that’s uncalled for and that Person One should be more considerate of others.
Obviously that situation could be avoided through communication, boundaries, and familiarity, but that shows what I mean. It’s interesting to think about how we all see the same situation so differently.
The Test
Rambling over. Reader, I invite you to take this quiz with me. Learn some more about yourself, it’s fun.
If it’s your first time, I recommend hitting the “select all” option, and definitely read the descriptions because they provide some needed context.
I thought it could be interesting to take this again, since I’ve experienced some rather life-changing events this past year. I’m wondering if my priorities have changed.
Results
If anyone is curious, these are my results:
Growth: physical, intellectual and spiritual development
Growth is an integral part of every person’s life. The power of development lies in the ability to independently decide on its direction. It allows us to achieve personal desires and become what we want to be.
People interested in growth are very conscious about achieving their goals. They believe in their abilities and do not avoid the necessary effort.
It may happen that the existing environment does not provide opportunities for further growth. In such cases, there is a feeling that you are not using your full potential.
Pleasure: enjoyment, happiness, satisfaction
Everyone finds pleasure in something different. Indulging in pleasure allows you to break away from your daily routine. These are the moments when we can feel fulfilled. This is when we renew our energy for the next actions.
You can learn cheerfulness from people who value pleasure and joy, because they focus mainly on the positives. They have a lot of distance to themselves and their lives.
Danger arises when feelings of pleasure or happiness are sought in stimulants or addictions.
Discipline: obedience, self-control
It is the ability to subordinate one’s actions to the realization of a long-term plan. Disciplined people always have a goal in mind. They are also aware of how much they can achieve with their work and persistence if they really want something.
It is a value characteristic of people who are determined and goal-oriented. They are able to give up temporary pleasures in favor of a postponed reward.
Be careful that you don’t start demanding too much of yourself. It is possible that at some point we set ourselves too high expectations.
Trust: a belief in someone or something
We all have to rely on something. Sometimes it’s family and friends. Sometimes business partners or the government. Trust is a particularly important value because many aspects of our daily life are based on it.
Trust allows you to build strong relationships with other people. Often they will have values similar to ours.
Be careful with whom you trust. Not everyone has sincere intentions.
Inner harmony: balance, self-fulfilment
Internal harmony and balance allow you to find relief in the hustle and bustle of the surrounding world. Thanks to them, we can still enjoy small things. Self-awareness is an important element on the way to achieving inner balance.
Those who value inner harmony are generally people who are aware of their own values. They avoid extreme emotions and follow their own path.
Finding your inner balance requires being honest with yourself. Sometimes you have to answer difficult or uncomfortable questions.
Bonus
If you scroll down to the “Ask AI” section, you can click the first option for free (“tell me more about my personality”). That will tell you what values made it into your top ten.
Based on your core values of growth, pleasure, discipline, trust, inner harmony, wisdom, curiosity, creativity, excitement, and health, it is apparent that you possess a diverse and dynamic personality. Your value of growth suggests that you are constantly seeking to improve and evolve, both personally and professionally. You likely have a proactive attitude towards challenges and view them as opportunities for learning and development.
Your appreciation for pleasure indicates that you prioritize joy and happiness in your life, seeking out experiences that bring you fulfillment and satisfaction. Balancing this with the value of discipline suggests that you have a strong sense of self-control and can effectively manage your impulses to achieve your goals. This combination of pleasure and discipline allows you to find fulfillment in both indulging in enjoyable experiences and working towards long-term objectives.
Trust, inner harmony, wisdom, curiosity, creativity, excitement, and health are all values that contribute to a well-rounded and holistic approach to life. Your emphasis on trust indicates that you value strong relationships built on honesty and reliability. Your pursuit of inner harmony suggests that you prioritize emotional well-being and seek peace and balance in your internal world. Your value of wisdom implies that you are reflective and insightful, drawing on your experiences and knowledge to make informed decisions. Your curiosity and creativity likely manifest in your openness to new ideas and experiences, as well as your ability to think outside the box. Finally, your value of excitement suggests that you thrive on variety and stimulation, seeking out opportunities that bring a sense of adventure and energy to your life. Overall, your core values paint a picture of a multifaceted individual who is driven by growth, fulfillment, and a deep appreciation for both the intellectual and emotional aspects of life.
Thoughts
My results have changed a little, in a way that makes a lot of sense to me. I used to value financial security more than anything, but I have since decided that no job is worth the sacrifice of your inner peace. Life is all about balance, baby.
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I wish you well, Reader. I think I may have caught a seasonal cold, so I am going to go make some tea and see if I can whip up something easy for dinner.
Till the next.