How Well Do You Prioritize? Discover Your Core Values
The rocks, pebbles and sand analogy. Have you heard this one before? A professor fills a jar with large rocks and then asks the class, “Is the jar full?” and they all agree that yes the jar is full. Then he adds small pebbles and asks the question again. The students respond, yes the jar is full. Finally he adds sand to the mix and asks the question one more time. The students respond the same. What does this mean?
The jar represents everything in our lives. The big rocks represent the most important things in our lives. This means that if the sand and pebbles were not there the jar would still be full and our lives would still be full and meaningful.
The metaphor is simple. If we try and add sand or pebbles first we won’t be able to fit in the big rocks of our lives. What is most important to you? Do you know? Qualities and values that matter most to us and how we interact with them are called our core values. Some of the big core values in my life are faith, family, peace.
Why it’s helpful to know your core values:
1. They help create your worldview.
2. They help you make decisions.
3. They guide you to people and open doors.
4. They keep you balanced.
5. They keep you in line with your true desires.
6. They give you something to inspire others by.
In order to prioritize the "big rocks," we must know what they are. So What are your core values? Try the activity below to find out!
From the list below, choose and write down every core value that resonates with you. Do not overthink your selections. As you read through the list, simply write down the words that feel like a core value to you personally. If you think of a value you possess that is not on the list, be sure to write it down as well. Once you have done this, begin to narrow your options down by circling words that are most important and crossing off words that are not as important. Try to find 3-5 words that resonate with you the most. These words are your personal core values.
Core Values List
Authenticity
Achievement
Adventure
Authority
Autonomy
Balance
Beauty
Boldness
Compassion
Challenge
Citizenship
Community
Competency
Contribution
Creativity
Curiosity
Determination
Fairness
Faith
Fame
Friendships
Fun
Growth
Happiness
Honesty
Humor
Influence
Inner Harmony
Justice
Kindness
Knowledge
Leadership
Learning
Love
Loyalty
Meaningful Work
Openness
Optimism
Peace
Pleasure
Poise
Popularity
Recognition
Religion
Reputation
Respect
Responsibility
Security
Self-Respect
Service
Spirituality
Stability
Success
Status
Trustworthiness
Wealth
Wisdom