Values Compass: An Interactive Values Clarification Exercise | PsychKit.org

The Values Compass

An Interactive Exercise to Discover What Truly Matters

Find Your Inner Compass

This exercise will guide you through a three-step process to identify your core personal values. These values can act as a compass, helping you navigate life with a greater sense of purpose and direction.

Step 1: What’s Important to You?

From the list below, select all the values that feel important to you. Don’t overthink it. Aim for around 10-15 values.

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Step 2: Identify Your Top 5

Now, from your selected values, choose the 5 that are most essential to who you are. This can be tough, but it’s a crucial step.

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Step 3: Your Core Values

These are your guiding principles. Below, reflect on what each value means to you and one small action you can take this week to live by it.

What Are Personal Values (And Why Do They Matter)?

Have you ever felt adrift, unsure of which direction to take in your career, relationships, or life in general? This feeling often comes from a disconnect with our core personal values. Your values are your internal compass; they are the principles that are most important to you, guiding your decisions and motivating your actions.

Answering the question, “what are my values?” is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward building a more meaningful and fulfilling life. This interactive Values Compass is a simple exercise designed to help you do just that.

When Should I Use This Values Exercise?

Clarifying your values is a powerful exercise at any stage of life. It is especially helpful when you are:

Feeling lost, stuck, or without purpose.
Facing a major life decision (e.g., a career change, a new relationship, a move).
Struggling with low motivation or burnout.
Wanting to build self-esteem and a stronger sense of identity.
Starting a new chapter, like graduating, retiring, or after a significant life event.
Engaging in therapy and want to better understand your motivations.

The Science Behind It: Values in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

This tool is based on a core principle of a highly effective, evidence-based psychotherapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In ACT, values are not goals to be achieved (like “getting a promotion”), but directions to move toward (like “being a supportive colleague”).

Values as a Compass: ACT proposes that psychological pain often comes from moving away from our values. For example, if you value “Connection” but your anxiety makes you avoid social events, you create a conflict that causes suffering. Clarifying your values helps you see the direction you want to go.
Guiding Committed Action: Knowing your values gives you a powerful “why” that can motivate you to do difficult things. It helps you make choices that are aligned with the person you want to be, even in the face of discomfort or fear.
Increasing Psychological Flexibility: A clear sense of your values allows you to be more flexible and resilient. When you know what truly matters, you are less likely to be thrown off course by temporary setbacks or distressing emotions.

Important Safety Disclaimer & When to Seek Help

This tool is for educational and self-exploration purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy.

This values clarification exercise is a safe and insightful process for most people. However, it can sometimes bring up difficult emotions or highlight areas of your life where you feel stuck. This is a normal part of the process.

If you find that this exercise brings up significant distress or you feel unable to take steps toward your values due to anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, it is a sign of strength to seek support from a qualified therapist or counselor.

Values Compass: A Free Exercise to Find Your Core Values