Exploring Your Values – Asbury University
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Exploring Your Values

Values are inner dispositions or beliefs that guide our actions. They are an integral component in making a career decision. When our occupation and work setting complement our values, we are fulfilled. When our occupation and/or work setting conflict with our values, we are likely to become frustrated and burned out. Below is a list of common values. Check those that are most important to you. See questions at the bottom of the list.

  • Accomplishment: Make a lasting contribution; produce results; reach goals.
  • Aesthetics: Appreciate and contribute to the beauty of your surroundings, objects.
  • Altruism: Give top priority to the interests and needs of others.
  • Belonging: Be accepted as a worthwhile member of a group.
  • Compassion: Stand with and support others in their need and distress.
  • Creative Expression: Express ideas in novel, innovative, and original ways.
  • Diversity: Value and respect differences in people, ideas, situations.
  • Exciting Life: Maintain a stimulating and active life; take risks; try new things.
  • Fairness: Distribute benefits and burdens to others appropriately.
  • Family: Protect and care for those you love and are related to by birth or by law.
  • Financial Security: Have financial resources to live comfortably and achieve your goals.
  • Friendship: Develop intimate and caring bonds with others.
  • Happiness: Feel joy and emotional well-being.
  • Health: Maintain soundness of body and mind.
  • Honesty: Tell the truth to yourself and others.
  • Independence: Take actions free from the control of others.
  • Inner Harmony: Develop inner peace, free of internal conflicts and confusion.
  • Integrity: Consistency of thought/words/actions: ‘What I think is what I say and do’.
  • Justice: Treat everyone the same unless there are relevant moral reasons to treat them differently.
  • Leadership: Take on leadership roles formally or informally.
  • Loyalty: Do one’s duty, honor allegiances and commitments to obligations.
  • Pleasure: Seek enjoyment and satisfaction of the senses.
  • Power: Exercise control, authority, and influence over others.
  • Recognition: Gain positive feedback and perhaps notoriety for a job well done.
  • Respect: Treat other people, animals, and the environment with dignity and care.
  • Responsibility: Be accountable for actions relating to people, things, or results.
  • Security: Be free from fear or danger; exist in a stable environment.
  • Self-respect: Treat yourself with dignity and care, develop self-esteem.
  • Social Contribution: Work for the good of society, advance the common good.
  • Spirituality: Participate in a relationship with God; have religious beliefs.
  • Stewardship: Care for resources and processes entrusted to you.
  • Teamwork: Act with others toward a shared goal.
  • Time Freedom: Have a flexible schedule with flexible responsibilities.
  • Variety: Engage in frequent changes in activities, locations and people.
  • Wealth: Accumulate money and possessions.
  • Well-informed: Be aware of current events and social trends.
  • Wisdom: Understand what is true, right, and lasting.

Questions to Consider…

  • Which 4-5 values are most important to you?
  • How did you develop these most important values?
  • How do these values inform/integrate with your choice of major and occupation?