Cut your values list down to three
This values exercise takes a list of sixty-one values down to the three you'd keep. Then you write what each one means on an ordinary day.
A value is a word for something you won't trade. Freedom, Family and Craft are values, and so are Security and Calm. Picking three means putting some good ones below others.
How to do the values exercise
- Read the whole list firstRead every value before you pick any. The workspace shows them in six groups, so you can take one group at a time.
- Tap every one that feels like yoursTake freely. Twelve is normal and twenty is fine. The workspace asks for at least eight before you move on.
- Sort them, keep or let goYour picks come up one card at a time, and you keep each one or let it go. You can undo a card or skip it for now.
- Pick your three and write what each meansTap three from the ones you kept. Under each, write what it looks like on an ordinary day. For Kindness, that might be "I ring my mum on Sundays".
The six groups of values
- Work and growth. Craft, Mastery, Growth, Learning, Knowledge, Competence, Excellence, Determination, Challenge, Creativity, Leadership, Wealth.
- Relationships. Family, Friendship, Love, Trust, Loyalty, Kindness, Generosity, Community, Empathy, Tradition.
- Character. Integrity, Honesty, Courage, Discipline, Humility, Patience, Persistence, Responsibility, Self-respect, Authenticity, Strength, Fairness, Order.
- Freedom. Autonomy, Adventure, Curiosity, Independence, Play, Wonder, Freedom.
- Purpose. Meaning, Service, Contribution, Justice, Acceptance.
- Wellbeing. Presence, Calm, Balance, Peace, Health, Happiness, Fun, Humour, Faith, Optimism, Simplicity, Stability, Security, Beauty.
Why three
Three is what you can hold in your head while someone's talking to you. You'll need them most when somebody is waiting for an answer.
What to do when two of your values disagree
Some values pull against each other. Freedom and Security pull in opposite directions, and so do Adventure and Family.
Look hardest at the pair that pulls. It usually sits under a decision you have been putting off. Write down both sides, one word each.
Say your three are Freedom, Craft and Family, and a job comes up that pays more. It has a long commute and a manager who checks your work. The commute costs Family and the manager costs Freedom.
Do your values before your goals
Values are step two in the workspace, after the Wheel of Life and before the vision board and your twelve week goals. Your three print into your book with what you said each one means.
Questions
How many core values should I have?
We use three. Some exercises stop at five or ten, and you can keep more if they help you. The workspace asks for three.
Is the Astera values exercise free?
Yes, and there's nothing to sign up to. Your three save in this browser, and in your account if you make one.
What if I can't get below five?
Take them two at a time and ask which one you'd keep if you could only keep one. Choosing between two is easier than ranking five.
Do values change?
Slowly. Once a year is often enough to redo it. If your three change every few months, you might be picking what this month needs.