Have you ever thought about what it might take for you to be happy? Not just happy in the moment or “happy” as in content, but truly, utterly, 100% happy. While this may seem like an unattainable goal, it really isn’t as long as you know what it is that really makes you happy deep down, and then tap into those feelings, emotions, and values.
A great way to start your journey to daily happiness is by creating a personal value statement. These simple sentences can create your personal vision, create a long-term goal, and focus on your core beliefs, providing purpose and long-term success.
If you are interested in living your best life with purpose and a clear vision, why not start here. In this article, we will better explain what a personal value statement is and help you get to the roots of your happiness.
What is A Personal Value Statement?
A personal value statement is a sentimental phrase designed by you and only you that defines the most important guiding principles in your life. You can include multiple values that you want to adhere to and the objects and goals that create ideal feelings and emotions.
By identifying your personal core values, you will hold the power to ultimate happiness and meaningful, thoughtful life.
Steps to Creating Your Own Personal Value Statement
In order to be happy with your life in every aspect, from relationships to parenting to your career, is by digging deep to find those core beliefs and values that allow you to feel the way you want to feel, not the way you are told to feel or even the way you think you should feel.
Think of a personal value statement in the same manner as a mantra, it is a way for you to express steps you want to take to be happy.
Identify Your Core Values
Before you can create a personal value statement, you first need to identify your core values. These can be anything that really makes a difference in your life and are important to you.
Consider your target– This refers to things in life that you want to achieve, what you want for your future, who you want to be in life. This doesn’t necessarily mean your goals in life. You do not want to be strapped down to goals or obligations. (refer to the desire map for more information).
When considering your target core values, focus on things you want to improve on or feel you are already good at, things such as loyalty, trustworthiness, and sensuality.
Think about your faults (or what you preserve as your faults)– It is easy to see where your core values lie when you have negative feelings about different situations that have taken place in your life.
Think back to when you were a child and you helped donate food to the senior living housing and how good that made you feel. Maybe this will make community one of your values.
Look at Your relationships- When discovering core values think about what you feel or want to feel in relationships. Are you great at taking on challenges without any guidance but not so good at working in a team?
Maybe you want to feel sexier or more assertive. All of these things are core values, they all make you feel a certain way, and they mean a lot to your overall happiness.
Lay a Foundation
Now that you have a good idea of where to start it is time to lay down a foundation to create a personal value statement by using the top handful values you identified above, maybe the top 20?
Now you have to reduce that number even further. You can do this by saying them out loud and trying to get an understanding of how each of them makes you feel deep down. Decide which ones impact your daily life the most and which ones will get you to your happy place quicker.
Take Action
Once you have identified 5 or 6 of your main core values, you can start to prepare a personal value statement, jot them down on a sheet of paper, in a journal, or even in a value statement book such as the desire map.
Keep this book with you and look at it every time you feel like you are lost, unhappy, or confused about who you are or where you are going.
Use this book to remind yourself of the value of life, love, and most importantly, happiness. You can use this book as a guide to what is important and what is not. It is extremely difficult putting yourself first. Putting your wants, your needs, your interests before your obligations, however, having this list will allow you to prioritize your life in a way you can finally take control of your happiness.
Examples of Personal Value Statements
Now that you know the importance of personal value statements and how to comprise a list of your own, here are a few to help get you started.
Remember, these are not the only values to choose from when creating your statements. Your statements come from your own core values, no two lists will ever look alike. Everyone leads different lives, feels different feelings, and has different values that will make them happy.
It is time for you to find your happiness.
Humor
Humor is a great way to alleviate pressure and stress in an otherwise tense situation. Using humor to lighten any moment can turn your whole day around.
Support
Supporting someone else is a great way to help move plans forward to improve partnership and to build trust. Being supported makes you feel strong.
Courage
Courage is the ability to hold your head high and accomplish any task no matter how scared you might be.
Wisdom
Wisdom is an impressive character that is admirable whether it is you who has divine knowledge or someone else.
Thoughtfulness
A lot of thought and planning goes into the things you do for others, and you feel a great sense of joy when others do the same.
Responsibility
There is no greater respect than that given to one who takes responsibility for their actions, whether those actions are good or bad.
Simplicity
Sometimes the simple things in life are the most important. Learn to enjoy less and rid life of clutter and chaos.
Balance
Keeping your life tasks in order and even, nothing should be more important than something else.
Happiness
Feeling happiness, joy, and contentment is a great gift and one you like to share with others.
Growth
Take the time to invest in your future and build the life you want and take time to do that with others you care about.
Fitness
Staying healthy and in shape is the best thing you can do for your mind, body, and soul.
Self Awareness
You accept yourself as you are flaws and all, you are aware of the progress you are making and where you need to improve.
Community
There is a large amount of pride in giving to others, helping your community, and being part of the bigger picture.
Motivation
Motivation is the fuel necessary to get you through your hectic schedule allowing you to come out stronger and more powerful than you were when you woke up.
Passion
You have the drive, desire, and a fire built up inside you to keep you focused and encouraged to keep up with the relationships you have built, tasks you have completed, and activities you enjoy.
Open Mindedness
You are open and interested in trying new things, meeting new people, and starting new adventures.
Self Respect
You are happy with who you are and okay with your imperfections. You forgive yourself when you fail and take pride in your success.
Persuasiveness
The confidence to communicate with others in a way that will help them see things in the same manner you do. Not allowing someone to persuade you from your thoughts will help you be stronger in your work.
Tolerance
Being tolerant means being more accepting and opening up to other thoughts, ideas, and ways of life. Being tolerated makes you feel important and loved.
Challenge
Being challenged allows you to recognize your strengths and weaknesses and helps you determine where growth is necessary.
Determination
The drive to accomplish even the hardest achievements can give you great pride and the happiness you desire.
Wealth
Being wealthy doesn’t mean being rich, it means living a life without financial worry, being free to spend as you wish.
Uniqueness
Being unique and standing out is better than getting lost in a crowd. Embrace being unique and encourage others to show their differences as well.
Why Create a Personal Value Statement?
In order to be successful in life, you need to know what is going to allow you to live your life to its fullest, what is going to give you that drive necessary to navigate the world. Identifying your core values, how they make you feel, and what you can do to get to that emotion is a great way to align your life accordingly.
Having your core values in line with one another will help you flourish and become the best you possible. It will give you strength, direction, and it will help you become the person you were meant to be.
Your core values define you, they are the center of your being, they are the reason for you to be present on this planet at this time. You must learn to embrace these values, commit yourself to them daily, and utilize them as tools to get through even the toughest situation.
Take this time to explore your values, your feelings, the way you choose to live your life every day and let that inspire others to do the same. Be the reason those you love chose to create personal value statements of their own, and start their journey to living a happier life.