Self-Reflection Exercise: Clarifying Your Core Values

Do you struggle with decision-making? Not sure if you should stay or leave your current job? Debating between multiple offers but can’t figure out which is the right one?

Chances are, it’s because you’re not fully clear on what’s truly important to you.

Your core values are like your internal GPS—they shape how you want to navigate your career and life. Imagine planning a road trip:

• Do you want to take the fastest highway route, focused on efficiency?
• Or would you rather take the scenic route, making stops along the way to enjoy the journey?

Both paths lead to the destination, but the experience is entirely different. That’s what core values do—they define how you want to get to your goal.

When you clarify your values, decision-making becomes easier. You’ll know what to prioritize, which opportunities to pursue, and which ones don’t align with the life you want.

This exercise will help you identify your top values so you can make career choices that truly reflect what matters most to you.

Prepare for the Exercise

This exercise will take about 15–20 minutes. To get the most out of it, find a quiet place where you can focus without interruptions.

🧘 Set yourself up for success:

• Sit in a comfortable position, feet flat on the ground.
• Close your eyes and take three deep breaths—inhale deeply, hold for a moment, and exhale slowly.
• Let go of distractions and bring your attention to yourself.

When you feel calm and present, begin the exercise.

Step 1: Visualize Your Ideal Life

Close your eyes and imagine a life where everything feels balanced and fulfilling.

🤔 Ask Yourself:

• What does a deeply fulfilling career and life look like for me?
• Where am I working? What does my environment feel like?
• What kind of work am I doing? Am I leading, creating, problem-solving?
• Who am I surrounded by? Am I working solo or collaborating with a team?
• What moments bring me the most joy and meaning?

Take at least 2 minutes to really immerse yourself in this vision.

Step 2: Identify the Values You’re Honoring

Now, think about why this vision feels fulfilling.

🤔 Ask Yourself:

• What values am I honoring in this life?
• Am I prioritizing freedom or stability?
• Do I value collaboration over independence?
• Is it more important to me to go fast or go together?

Here are Value Inventories to help spark ideas. You’re not limited to what’s listed—you can absolutely choose values outside of these lists if they resonate more with you.

A few important tips:

• Choose values that are one words, not full sentences.
• Focus on what you do want, not what you want to avoid.
• Instead of "I don't want to feel undervalued", you may choose you want to feel "Confidence"
• Pick what feels true to you, not what sounds good or what others expect.

Write down at least 10 values that resonate with you.

Step 3: Refine Your Core Values

Now, review your list and narrow it down.

🔍 Look for patterns:

• Do certain values overlap or reinforce each other?
• Which values are non-negotiable for your happiness and success?

✍ Circle your top 3 values. These are your key guiding principles—the ones you want your career and life to be built around.

📌 Example:

• Creativity
• Autonomy
• Impact

💡 Final Reflection:

Now, write a short mantra or statement that captures your core values.

📌 Example:

“I thrive when I have the freedom to create, take ownership of my work, and know that what I do makes a meaningful impact.”

Final Reflection

✨ Check In With Yourself:

• Were there any surprises in this exercise?
• Are you currently honoring your top values in your career?
• If not, what small steps can you take to align your work with what truly matters to you?

Put your top values and mantra somewhere visible—on your monitor, your bathroom mirror, or as your phone background.

Let them serve as a daily reminder of what truly matters to you. Revisit them regularly, reflect on them, and use them to guide your choices. The more you connect with your values, the more natural and grounded they’ll feel in your everyday life and work.

Whenever you’re faced with a decision, come back to your values—you’ll find the answer comes more easily.

This is one of the exercises we do in the Women Leaders Club. Want to dive deeper and explore more like this? Join us!