Finding our core values and life purpose

1. Exercise:
What Do I Stand For?

2. 1. Close your eyes and take some moments to
imagine that you are elderly, sitting in a lovely
garden and contemplating your life. You feel
a deep sense of satisfaction, joy and
contentment. Even though your life hasn’t
always been easy, you managed to stay true
to yourself to the best of your ability.
Write down your answers to the following
questions:
Exercise: What Do I Stand For?

3. 2. Which core values did you live by that gave
your life meaning?
For example; spending time with family,
exploring nature, education, travel and
adventure, being of service to others.
Exercise: What Do I Stand For?

4. 3. Is there some way in which you aren’t living
your life in accord with your core values? Does
your life feel out of balance with your core
values?
E.g. Perhaps you are too busy to spend time in
nature, even though connecting with nature is
what you love most.
Exercise: What Do I Stand For?

5. 4. Of course, there are obstacles that prevent
us from living perfectly in accordance with our
core values. Some of these might be external,
like not having enough money or time.
Are there external circumstances that prevent
you from living according to your core values?
Exercise: What Do I Stand For?

6. 4. There may also be some internal
obstacles, such as fear of failure or
rejection, or your inner critic telling you
that you aren’t good enough or don’t
deserve it.
Are there internal circumstances that are
preventing you from living according to
your core values?
Exercise: What Do I Stand For?

7. 4. Now consider, is there any way that
giving yourself more compassion/support
could help you live more according to your
core values?
Perhaps by helping you overcome your
inner critic, making you feel safe and more
secure. Or stop doing things that don’t
truly serve you.
Exercise: What Do I Stand For?

8. 5. Is there some way that you can take an
action that would help you to express your
core values in your life?
E.g. Getting a job with a more flexible
schedule so that you can go camping more
often and spend time in nature.
Exercise: What Do I Stand For?

9. 6. If there are insurmountable obstacles to
living in accord with your true values, can
you give yourself true compassion for that
hardship too?
You are not abandoning your values in
spite of the conditions, you just understand
that this is just how this part of your life is
right now, and you are open to it perhaps
changing in the future.
Exercise: What Do I Stand For?

10. Making a Vow:
Finally, in your own words, select one of
your most important core values and write
out a promise, a vow that you make to
yourself that would bring that core value
into other areas of your life.
For example, “I vow to be patient with
myself when I make mistakes”
Close your eyes and repeat this vow to
yourself, embedding it into your heart.