By Maggie Pohl

Defining and prioritizing your personal values is a critical exercise in understanding what guides the way we live. I found this article’s framework for identifying values very approachable, particularly because it emphasizes both personal and professional values. This dual focus helps paint a more holistic picture of what drives us.

One aspect I appreciated was the visualization exercise. Instead of just picking values from a list, it encourages reflection on times when we felt happiest, most proud, and most fulfilled. This approach was refreshing because it focuses on positive emotions and life experiences, which can be more motivating than dwelling on negative moments. I’ve done similar exercises in past classes, but they were often simpler—choosing values from a predefined list. While that method is quicker, it doesn’t require the same depth of self-reflection.

That said, I do wonder how changing values over time might impact this process. Since the article acknowledges that our values evolve, I find the need to be mindful of how far back I look when recalling moments of pride or happiness. Fortunately, recent memories tend to stand out more for me, which might simplify the process.

Overall, I see the benefit of revisiting values regularly to stay aligned and balanced. This framework is a great starting point for reflecting on what truly matters, both at work and in life, and ensuring that our decisions align with those priorities.

Source: Hancock, J. (n.d.). What Are Your Values?. MindTools. https://www.mindtools.com/a5eygum/what-are-your-values