Finding Your Inner Compass: Why Core Values and a ‘Being Statement’ Are Like GPS for Your Soul

Picture this:

You’re trying to bake a cake. You gather all the ingredients—flour, sugar, eggs, vanilla, maybe some chocolate chips (because, why not?). You mix it all together, pop it in the oven, and… out comes lasagna? Not what you expected. Turns out, you were winging it with no recipe. Life, my friends, can be a lot like this unexpected lasagna when we go through it without knowing our core values and without a solid “being statement.”

What Are Core Values and a “Being Statement”?

Think of your core values as the GPS coordinates for your life and your “being statement” as the fancy destination name. Core values are those big-ticket beliefs that define what really matters to you—like honesty, kindness, growth, or chocolate chip cookies on a bad day. 

A “being statement,” on the other hand, is your commitment to how you want to show up in the world, like “I am a beacon of compassion and resilience” (or maybe just “I am a lover of naps and kindness”—hey, that works too).

When we skip over defining these, life starts steering us around like a bumper car, bouncing off random goals, experiences, and sometimes a few wrong turns. But if you nail down your core values and who you really want to be, it’s like swapping the bumper car for a sleek little convertible with perfect directions. (Yes, you still might hit the occasional pothole, but at least you know where you’re headed!)

Why Bother Defining Core Values?

So You Know What You’re About—Like, Really About.

Have you ever found yourself saying, “Yeah, sure, that sounds good!” to something that you immediately regret? When you know your core values, you can dodge those instant regrets. You know what aligns with your soul and what just doesn’t. It’s like a personal spam filter for life’s random offers.

Goodbye, Decision Fatigue!

Decision fatigue is real! If you’re tired of the “Should I or shouldn’t I?” game, then core values are your go-to. They give you an easy way to cut through choices like a hot knife through butter. It’s not about whether the decision is “good” or “bad” but whether it aligns with what really matters to you. Imagine saying goodbye to waffling and hello to more Netflix hours—guilt-free!

Become Magnetic (Not in a Weird Way, We Promise).

When you start living out your core values and “being statement,” you attract the right kind of people and opportunities into your life. Suddenly, you’re surrounded by others who get you, and who also aren’t afraid to double down on dessert. You’ll naturally pull in the folks who share your vibe and want to join you on your mission to live your truth (even if that truth includes lounging in pajamas on a Friday night).

The Funny Thing About Figuring Out Your Core Values

Let’s be honest—figuring out core values isn’t a walk in the park. It’s more like sifting through your junk drawer, finding something weird (like a whistle you forgot you had), and deciding if it’s worth keeping around. You’ll ask yourself questions like, “Is creativity really one of my core values, or do I just like those coloring apps?” It’s a messy, beautiful, and sometimes hilarious process of untangling what really matters.

How to Get Started

Begin with a Core Values List

Start with a comprehensive list of core values, and feel free to add any that resonate with you. From this list, identify your top 5 to 7 values.

Step 1: Try ’Em On for Size – Imagine making decisions based on those values. How does it feel? Sometimes, a value sounds good in theory (like “adventure”) but feels off when you’re, say, knee-deep in a spontaneous mud run. 

Review the list item by item. Eliminate any value that you know isn’t important to you or that wouldn’t rank among your top 5 to 7. Cross out those values.

Step 2: From the remaining values, compare the first value with the next. Ask yourself: If I could only embrace one of these values, which would it be? Determine which is more significant to you. Once you make your choice, compare that selected value with the next one on the list, repeating this process until you reach the end. Repeat with the remaining values until you have narrowed it down to your top 7 values.

Step 3: Examine the 7 values you’ve chosen. Are they all essential? Are they truly transformative? Do you feel equally passionate about all 7, or can you eliminate a few? Ideally, aim for 5 values, though 6 or 7 is acceptable.

Crafting Your “Being Statement”

Try writing out who you want to be in the world. Start with “I am…” or “I stand for…” It might feel cheesy at first, but it’ll slowly start to feel like putting on your favorite pair of jeans.

This is your opportunity to articulate what you stand for and how you choose to live your life. Your “Being Statement” will reflect your 5-7 core values and serve as a daily mantra for self-assessment.

Write this statement as if you are already living it. This is about who you are at your core, not who you aspire to be. There’s incredible power in reading your “Being Statement” in the present tense, as if you’re actively embodying those values. These values represent you, so they should be expressed accordingly.

Aim for a statement that is generally 3-5 sentences long, or use bullet points if that format resonates better with you. Keep It Simple!

Once you’ve crafted your statement, share it with trusted individuals. This not only makes it more tangible but also provides you with valuable feedback.

Creating core values and a “being statement” is like designing a map that leads to the truest version of you. Yes, it’s a little work, and yes, it might get messy, but the payoff? Worth every step. It’ll guide you, grow you, and keep you steady through the unpredictable twists and turns life throws your way.

So go on, bake that cake the right way (or, you know, keep it lasagna if that’s more your style)—but this time, do it with the right recipe for you.

Comprehensive List of Core Values:

Accomplishment

Accuracy

Acknowledgement

Adventure

Authenticity

Balance

Beauty

Boldness

Calm

Challenge

Collaboration

Community

Compassion

Comradeship

Confidence

Connectedness

Contentment

Contribution

Cooperation

Courage

Creativity

Curiosity

Determination

Directness

Discovery

Ease

Effortlessness

Empowerment

Enthusiasm

Environment

Excellence

Fairness

Flexibility

Focus

Forgiveness

Freedom

Friendship

Fun

Generosity

Gentleness

Grounded

Growth

Happiness

Harmony

Health

Helpfulness

Honesty

Honor

Humor

Idealism

Independence

Innovation

Integrity

Intuition

Joy

Kindness

Learning

Listening

Love

Loyalty

Optimism

Orderliness

Participation

Partnership

Passion

Patience

Peace

Presence

Productivity

Recognition

Respect

Resourcefulness

Romance

Safety

Self - Esteem

Service

Simplicity

Spirituality

Spontaneity

Strength

Tact

Home

Tolerance

Tradition

Trust

Understanding

Unity

Vitality

Wisdom

Stewardship

Success

Teamwork

Thrift

Time

Travel

Truth

Uniqueness

Usefulness

Vision

Vulnerability

Wealth

Well-being

Wholeheartedness

Inclusion

Initiative

Justice

Job Security

Knowledge

Leadership

Legacy 

Leisure

Making a Difference

Nature

Openness

Order

Parenting

Patriotism

Perseverance

Personal fulfillment

Power

Pride

Reliability

Recognition

Responsibility

Accountability

Career

Achievement

Caring

Family

Risk taking

Security

Adaptability

Commitment

Financial Stability

Self-Discipline

Altruism

Competence

Future Generations

Self-Expression

Ambition

Dignity

Giving Back

Self-Respect

Being the Best

Belonging

Diversity

Efficiency

Equality

Ethics

Grace

Gratitude

Hope

Humility

Serenity

Sportsmanship