Core Values Discovery

by Calle Foster Coaching

Have you ever clearly defined your core values before? Understanding your core values is one of the most powerful things you can do to increase your satisfaction with your life.

Your values are the compass that guides your decisions, relationships, career, and how you show up in the world.

Think about the big moments in your life; choosing a career path, navigating a relationship, deciding what boundaries to set, knowing when something feels "off." Those moments are your values talking. When you can articulate what they are, you can honor them more intentionally.

What happens in your personal life impacts how you show up at work, and what happens at work impacts how you show up in your personal life, for your family, for your health, and for yourself... so when we can articulate and define what our core values are, it allows us to better seek alignment, and operate in alignment with them. Improving overall life happiness and fulfillment.
Note: Stay aware of values that feel obligatory, vs the ones that you feel an authentic pull towards - and where that pull feels aligned, maybe even joyful.

This exercise is meant to be fun and enlightening, not heavy. Trust your gut, go with what resonates, and enjoy the process of getting to know yourself a little better.

When using this to explore career shifts and role finding, keep this in mind as you go through the exercise: The company or role doesn't have to specifically reflect or flex your value system (but bonus points if it does). However, it CANNOT dishonor your values or prevent you from honoring them. That is a recipe for dissatisfaction, tension, stress, and burnout.

Round 1: Keep or Let Go

Swipe through each value. If it resonates with you, keep it. If it's not a core value for you, let it go. Don't overthink it — go with your gut!

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Swipe left or right

Narrow It Down: Pick Your Top 15

Now look at all the values you kept. Start to notice which ones feel like they belong together. Freedom, autonomy, and independence might all live under one umbrella for you — and that's great. Start thinking about which values you could 'bucket' together as you narrow down.

💡 You kept 0 values. Select 15 that feel most essential.

Getting Closer: Your Top 10

This is where it gets real. If two or three values feel like siblings, pick the one that captures the essence for you. Ethics, honesty, and integrity? Maybe integrity holds all of that. Trust your gut.

💡 Select 10 from your top 15 that are truly non-negotiable for you.

Your Core 5

These are the values that define who you are at your core. The ones that, when honored, make you feel most alive and aligned — and when dishonored, create the most tension. Choose wisely, but trust yourself.

💡 Select 5 values that are your foundation.

Let's Go Deeper

Now that you've identified your core values, let's explore how they show up in your life.

Questions to Sit With

These are for you to carry with you. No need to answer them right now — but let them marinate. If something resonates, feel free to jot down your thoughts.

Your Core Values Summary

Here's what we discovered about you.

Your Top 5 Core Values

© Calle Foster Coaching