Core Values: A Guide to Discovering the Most Important Values in Life
Your core values are the compass that guides your decisions, shapes your relationships, and defines your purpose. Whether you’re striving to live a more intentional life, deepen your personal connections, or lead with integrity in your business, understanding your core values is the first step.
In this guide, we’ll explore what core values are, why they matter, and how to uncover the most important values in life for you. From personal growth to family dynamics, to creating a brand identity for your business, your core values are the foundation for creating a meaningful and fulfilling existence. Let’s dive in and discover the principles that truly matter to you!
What Are Core Values and Why Do They Matter?
Core values are the beliefs and principles that guide your behavior, decisions, and relationships. They reflect what you stand for and what matters most in life.
On a personal level, living by your values creates clarity and integrity in how you show up in the world.
In relationships, shared core values help you build trust, respect, and alignment with friends, family, and partners.
For a brand or business, core values define the company culture and communicate what you stand for to both employees and customers.
Common Core Values Examples
Are you getting curious about what your core values may be? Here’s a list of important values that you can start exploring!
50 Core Values to Inspire You
These 50 core values are diverse and could apply to your personal life, relationships, or business. You can use this list as a starting point before digging into the bigger list of 200+ core values in our Core Values Workbook!
Figuring Out Your Core Values: A Simple Exercise
Want to know how to set values for your business and personal life? If so, try this step-by-step process:
Brainstorm: Start with a list of personal values or look at the examples above. Circle the ones that resonate.
Narrow it Down: Choose your top 5-10 values — these are the most important values in life for you. (Remember, your values are unique to you! They don’t need to look like anyone else’s.)
Define Them in Action: Now it’s time to define what each core value means to you. What does it look like when you’re living up to the value in your everyday life? For example:
Integrity: “I keep my promises and always act in alignment with my principles.”
Family: “I prioritize quality time and open communication with my loved ones.”
Adventure: “I seek new experiences that open my mind to different cultures and possibilities.”
Put Your Values into Action: As you make decisions in your life, draw on your core values. What decision would be best aligned to your values? Observe your behavior. Are you really living by your values?
Grab Our Core Values Workbook & Video Guide!
Get access to 200+ core values and a guided process to determine both your personal and business values!
Core Values in Relationships
Core values play a major role in fostering healthy relationships. Couples who share common values often have stronger bonds and better communication.
Examples of core values in relationships include:
Trust: Always being honest and dependable.
Respect: Valuing each other’s individuality and perspectives.
Connection: Prioritizing quality time together and shared experiences.
If you’re in a relationship, ask: “What are our shared values?” Exploring core family values can also help guide parenting decisions and family culture.
Core Values for Businesses and Brands
It’s important for business owners and entrepreneurs to define your company core values as well. In addition to your company mission and vision, your business values sets the tone for how you operate and what your brand stands for.
Your company core values are guiding principles that shape your business decisions, team culture, client relationships, and more.
Examples of Company Core Values
Let’s take a look at some company brand values of really successful businesses you know of!
Patagonia Core Values: Quality, Integrity, Environmentalism, Justice, Not Bound By Convention
Google Core Values: Protecting Users, Building Belonging, Expanding Opportunity, Responding to Crises, Advancing Sustainability
Shopify Core Values: Considerate, Empowering, Crafted, Efficient, Trustworthy, Familiar
Trinity Health Core Values: Reverence, Commitment to Those Experiencing Poverty, Safety, Justice, Stewardship, Integrity
QuikTrip Core Values: Be the Best, Do the Right Thing, Focus Long Term, Never Be Satisfied, Do What’s Right for QuikTrip
Living by Your Values: A Lifelong Practice
Core values aren’t just words on a list — they’re principles to live by.
By aligning your life with values that are important to you, you will experience greater joy and fulfillment.
By leaning on your shared values in relationships, you will experience greater joy and satisfaction.
By clarifying your core business values, you’ll create an easy to understand framework for making decisions and guiding employees how to behave.
Without exaggeration, defining and living your values is key to a fulfilling and purposeful life!