This document provides a guide to identifying one's personal value system. It discusses the benefits of having well-defined values, such as improved relationships, decision-making, and purpose. Two methods are presented for identifying values: a spiritual method involving meditation and narrowing an initial list, and a secular method of reviewing values and merging compatible ones into a final list of 3-5. The document also includes exercises for applying one's values, such as assessing alignment across different life domains over time.

1. H o w t o i d e n t i f y
y o u r v a l u e s
( a u s e r ’ s g u i d e )
George Vrakas
Gr ow and Gather ( H igher Exis tens e )
4 N ovember 2023

2. Overview
2
Explore the benefits of a well-defined personal value system
and
go through methods of identifying it.

3. Ethics
Morals
Values
3
Normativity
Definitions

4. The magical ring of Gyges
4
Source: Plato, Republic, 2.359d–2.360d

5. Normativity vs Authenticity
Osc ar Wilde
• ‘Most people are other people.
Their thoughts are someone else’s
opinions, their lives a mimicry, their
passions a quotation.’
5

6. Benefits of well-defined value system
6
• Interpersonal Relationships
• Alignment
• Goal setting / Decision making
• Clarity and Consistency
• Ethical decision making
• Conflict Resolution
• Alignment with our inner self
• Endelexeia
• Resilience
• Stability
• Adaptability
• Living consciously
• Personal fulfillment
• Purpose
• Identity

7. Values
vs
junk
values
7

8. Values
vs
junk
values
8

9. Values
vs
junk
values
9
wisdom
courage
temperance
humanity
transcendence
justice

10. Simple
framework
N ic olas Chamfor t
• Enjoy and have others enjoy,
without doing harm to yourself and
others; that is all there is to
morality!
10

11. Complex
framework
11
Source: https://howtobeastoic.wordpress.com/

12. How to identify your own value system?
(Method 1-Spiritual seekers)
1. Review the overall list of values and narrow it down to 20-40 of
those that mostly speak to you.
• Write your values down and define what the terms mean to you.
2. Reflect on those and reduce the list to 10-15.
• Tip: Consider if some values are compatible and can merge
3. Meditate on each one and notice how your body reacts. What
sensations arise?
4. Reflect and finalise the list.
5. Keep your final list to between 3-5
6. Review when you come across situations where your value
system lacks in providing you sufficient support. 12

13. Workshop
13
Accountability Commection Fairness Justice Optimism Self-Respect
Achievement Community Faith Kindness Peace Service
Adventure Compassion Fame Knowledge Pleasure Stability
Authenticity Competency Fun Leadership Poise Status
Authority Contribution Growth Learning Popularity Success
Autonomy Courage Happiness Love Recognition Temperance
Balance Creativity Hedonism Loyalty Reputation Transcendence
Beauty Curiosity Honesty Meaningful Work Respect Trustworthiness
Boldness Determination Humanity Money Responsibility Wealth
Challenge Exploration Inner Harmony Openness Security Wisdom

14. 14
“The unexamined life
is not worth living”
Soc rate s

15. Thank you
George Vrakas
georgevrakas.com
15

16. BONUS: Put your value system to
work
16
1. Define the different domains of your life: your pillars (4-5)
e.g. family, friends, relationships, spirituality, festivals,
music, art, work, education, sport or health.
2. Imagine a documentary of your life over the last 6 months.
How have your actions aligned with your values?
3. Score how much you have lived by your values in each pillar
over the last six months (10 means you have completely lived
by your values, and 0 means your actions have not aligned
with your values at all).
4. Which pillar do you need to give some love to?
Source: Chris Cheers: The New Rulebook

17. BONUS: Put your value system to
work
17
Pillars of LifeValues Wisdom Justice Courage Temperance
Family 6 8 2 3
Spirituality 7 9 5 8
Work 9 3 4 5
Health 6 7 8 9

18. How to identify your own value
system? (Method 2-Secular method)
1. Review the overall list of values and narrow it down
to 20-40 of those that mostly speak to you.
• Write your values down and define what the terms
mean to you.
2. Reduce the list to 10-15, look for values that .
• Tip: Consider if some values are compatible and can merge
3. Reflect and finalise the list.
• Tip: Keep your final list to between 3-5
4. Review when you come across situations where your
value system lacks in providing you sufficient
support. 18