Values
As students experience college, they may notice that they discover new values or that their previously held values are reinforced.
Understanding what your values are can be very helpful in increasing satisfaction in your life and assist with making difficult decisions. When we live in a manner that is inconsistent with our values, we may experience more dissatisfaction.
HOW TO EXPLORE YOUR VALUES
We have an extensive list of possible values at the end of this section. There are a few ways you can sort through the list:
- Write down the values that stand out to you (you may write down half the values the first time, then write a list from that list
- Copy and paste the values you like onto a document
- Download the PDF that lists all of these values, then sort through it
- After you have narrowed it to ten, rank them 1-10
Here are some exercises you can do once you have your top ten values:
- Go through the list and reflect on why you chose each one
- Which 2-3 do you think are most present in your life right now?
- Which 2-3 do you wish were more present in your life right now?
- What can you do to make them more present?
- Go through the list and reflect on where your values came from
- Reflect on different activities you engage in (e.g. exercise, a group you are involved in, alcohol/drug use, food intake, etc.) and whether or not the activity enhances or detracts each value
- You may also find it helpful to come up with questions on your own
List of values
(adapted from W.R. Miller, J. C’de Baca, D.B. Matthews, P.L. Wilbourne University of New Mexico, 2001)
ACCEPTANCE
to be accepted as I am
ACCURACY
to be accurate in my opinions and beliefs
ACHIEVEMENT
to have important accomplishments
ADVENTURE
to have new and exciting experiences
ATTRACTIVENESS
to be physically attractive
AUTHORITY
to be in charge of and responsible for others
AUTONOMY
to be self-determined and independent
BEAUTY
to appreciate beauty around me
CARING
to take care of others
CHALLENGE
to take on difficult tasks and problems
CHANGE
to have a life full of change and variety
COMFORT
to have a pleasant and comfortable life
COMMITMENT
to make enduring, meaningful commitments
COMPASSION
to feel and act on concern for others
CONTRIBUTION
to make a lasting contribution in the world
COOPERATION
to work collaboratively with others
COURTESY
to be considerate and polite toward others
CREATIVITY
to have new and original ideas
DEPENDABILITY
to be reliable and trustworthy
DUTY
to carry out my duties and obligations
ECOLOGY
to live in harmony with the environment
EXCITEMENT
to have a life full of thrills and stimulation
FAITHFULNESS
to be loyal and true in relationships
FAME
to be known and recognized
FAMILY
to have a happy, loving family
FITNESS
to be physically fit and strong
FLEXIBILITY
to adjust to new circumstances easily
FORGIVENESS
to be forgiving of others
FRIENDSHIP
to have close, supportive friends
FUN
to play and have fun
GENEROSITY
to give what I have to others
GENUINENESS
to act in a manner that is true to who I am
GOD’S WILL
to seek and obey the will of God
GROWTH
to keep changing and growing
HEALTH
to be physically well and healthy
HELPFULNESS
to be helpful to others
HONESTY
to be honest and truthful
HOPE
to maintain a positive and optimistic outlook
HUMILITY
to be modest and unassuming
HUMOR
to see the humorous side of myself and the world
INDEPENDENCE
to be free from dependence on others
INDUSTRY
to work hard and well at my life tasks
INNER PEACE
to experience personal peace
INTIMACY
to share my innermost experiences with others
JUSTICE
to promote fair and equal treatment for all
KNOWLEDGE
to learn and contribute valuable knowledge
LEISURE
to take time to relax and enjoy
LOVED
to be loved by those close to me
LOVING
to give love to others
MASTERY
to be competent in my everyday activities
MINDFULNESS
to live conscious and mindful of the present moment
MODERATION
to avoid excesses and find a middle ground
MONOGAMY
to have one close, loving relationship
NON-CONFORMITY
to question and challenge authority and norms
NURTURANCE
to take care of and nurture others
OPENNESS
to be open to new experiences, ideas, and options
ORDER
to have a life that is well-ordered and organized
PASSION
to have deep feelings about ideas, activities, or people
PLEASURE
to feel good
POPULARITY
to be well-liked by many people
POWER
to have control over others
PURPOSE
to have meaning and direction in my life
RATIONALITY
to be guided by reason and logic
REALISM
to see and act realistically and practically
RESPONSIBILITY
to make and carry out responsible decisions
RISK
to take risks and chances
ROMANCE
to have intense, exciting love in my life
SAFETY
to be safe and secure
SELF-ACCEPTANCE
to accept myself as I am
SELF-CONTROL
to be disciplined in my own actions
SELF-ESTEEM
to feel good about myself
SELF-KNOWLEDGE
to have a deep and honest understanding of myself
SERVICE
SEXUALITY
SIMPLICITY
SOLITUDE
SPIRITUALITY
STABILITY
TOLERANCE
TRADITION
VIRTUE
WEALTH
WORLD PEACE
