Choosing Your Core Values

In The Journey to You we use a values practice adapted from Brené Brown’s qualitative research

on vulnerability, courage, and shame. These values aren’t aspirational labels—they’re guides for

how we live and make our decisions. They also affect how we feel about ourselves when our

intentions are either aligned or misaligned with them.

1. Start by circling the values that resonate the most with you (usually ten to fifteen).

Note: if there’s a value that’s important to you that’s missing from the list, please write

it in.

2. Then thoughtfully narrow your choices down to two core values.

Note: This part is challenging—I know from experience—but once you’ve made your

choices, you’ll have a clearer understanding of yourself, decisions will be simpler and

better aligned with what is important to you. If you’re having trouble narrowing it

down know that you an value many things on this list, but your top two are those that

are essential to your being you. i.e. If you couldn’t express them, you wouldn’t be you.

When we get together we’ll talk about how to use these two values as a compass for navigating

your life with greater intention and authenticity.

One more thought before you get started: no value on this list is better or more honorable than

any other. Of course your family, partner, community, church, may tell you that one has more

clout than another, or “should" be one you value above others, but this is your decision, not

theirs. Listen to yourself and choose the values that resonate most deeply with you