The Insight Paths (TIPs)
Values Exploration
[Link]
How Values help you
Understanding your values is one of the most powerful
things you can do. They help guide you toward what truly
matters, keeping you focused on a path that leads to a more
meaningful and fulfilling life.
Values aren’t just abstract concepts—they provide direction,
stability, and a sense of purpose. They help guide decisions,
shape actions, and keep you grounded, especially in times of
uncertainty or self-doubt.
Unlike fleeting emotions or changing circumstances, values
remain steady. They act as a compass or wisdom whispers,
helping you stay on track, realign when you drift, and move
toward a life that feels meaningful.
This values exercise is adapted from Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy, developed by Steven C. Hayes and his
team to help people live more rich, full, and meaningful life,
while accepting the pain that inevitably comes with it.
Take your time with this process. Reflect, revisit, and let
your values be a reliable guide as you navigate what matters
most.
[Link]
Values
What Are Values?
Values are the qualities that guide how you want to live your life. They’re
about the kind of person you want to be and how you want to show up
for yourself and others.
Values vs. Goals: What’s the Difference?
Goals are things you aim to achieve, like running a marathon. Values are
about the journey—they’re the direction you choose to move in, like
heading west. You can achieve goals, but values are something you live
every day.
No Right or Wrong—Just What Matters to You
Your values don’t need to be justified. They’re yours, just like your
favourite flavour of ice cream. And the best part? You get to choose
what’s most important to you.
Hold Them Lightly, Not Tightly
Values aren’t rules or commands. They work best when they inspire you,
not when they feel like obligations. Holding them lightly gives you the
freedom to grow.
Balancing Your Values
Life is about balance. Sometimes one value might take priority over
another, like focusing on work to meet a deadline instead of relaxing
with family. It’s not about neglecting a value but choosing where to focus
in the moment.
When Life Gets Messy, Values Keep You on Track
Values are like a compass—they help you find your way when life feels
uncertain. They remind you of what matters most and guide you toward
a meaningful life, step by step.
Your Turn: What Do You Stand For?
Take some time to reflect: What kind of person do you want to be? What
truly matters to you? Your values are your guide to living with purpose,
no matter where life takes you.
[Link]
Values Exercise
There are countless values out there, below is a list of some of the most
common ones. Not all of them will resonate with you, and that’s okay. There’s
no such thing as “right” or “wrong” value—it’s personal, Like your favorite
shower temperature. You might like it warm, like a cozy blanket, while someone
else cranks it up to “volcano” level, for a proper steam clean!
Neither is better; it’s just a matter of taste.
Take a moment to choose one Domain of your life that you’d like to focus on.
Domains:
Family
Work/career
Parenting
Intimate partner
Friends/social life
Health
Education/learning
Personal growth
Then, go through the list on the next page and mark each value as:
V = Very important
Q = Quite important
N = Not so important
Once you’ve marked each value as V, Q, N, go through all the Vs, and select 5-8
core values that are most important to you in this domain of life, at this point in
time. The next step is to start looking at ways to live these values, in this area of
life; things you can say and do, guided by these values.
[Link]
Values list
Acceptance Independence
Adventure Industry
Assertiveness Intimacy
Authenticity Justice
Beauty Kindness
Caring Love
Challenge Mindfulness
Compassion Open-mindedness
Connection Order
Conformity Patience
Cooperation Persistence
Contribution Pleasure
Courage Power
Creativity Reciprocity
Curiosity Respect
Encouragement Responsibility
Equality Romance
Excitement Safety
Fairness Self-awareness
Fitness Self-care
Flexibility Self-control
Forgiveness Self-development
Freedom Sensuality
Friendliness Sexuality
Fun Skilfulness
Generosity Spirituality
Gratitude Supportiveness
Honesty Trust
Humility Other:
Humour Other:
My Values
[Link]
Values Clarification
THE BULL’S EYE
THE BULL’S EYE: Read through your values, then make an X in each area of the dart board, to
represent where you stand today. An X in the Bull’s Eye (the centre of the board) means that you
are living fully by your values in that area of life. An X far from Bull’s Eye means that you are way
off the mark in terms of living by your values.
You can adjust each domain to ones you chose previously in the value exercise e.g instead of
work domain you might have health instead.
I am acting very inconsistently with my
I am living fully by my values
values
Work Social life
Relationships Personal Growth
[Link]
Next step
Getting clear on your values is one thing—living
them is another. It’s not about getting it perfect,
just making small, meaningful steps that move you
in the right direction.
If this exercise got you thinking and you’d like to
explore these ideas further, I’m here to support
you. I work with people who want to bring more
clarity and intention into their lives—whether in
work, relationships, or personal growth.
When you’re ready, you can learn more at
[Link]