How to Identify Core Values That Lead You to Your Life Purpose

The Compass Within

Imagine waking up one morning with an urgent desire to change your life. You crave meaning, direction, and fulfilment, yet every path you consider feels disconnected from who you truly are. This sense of aimlessness is not uncommon, especially in our fast-paced, achievement-oriented society. The reason? Many of us operate without a clear understanding of our core values—the deeply held beliefs that shape our decisions, relationships, and, ultimately, our life purpose.

Identifying your core values is like discovering a personal compass. When you know what truly matters to you, you can align your choices, goals, and lifestyle in ways that feel authentic and fulfilling. This alignment not only enhances your satisfaction but also propels you toward a purpose-driven life. In this life, your daily actions and long-term ambitions align with your deepest self.

In this blog, we will explore the science behind core values, why they are pivotal in discovering life purpose, and offer step-by-step guidance to help you unearth your own. We will also tap into the spiritual dimension of this journey, recognising that purpose is not just a psychological quest—it is a soul calling.

The Science Behind Core Values and Life Purpose

Psychology has long recognised that values play a central role in human motivation and behaviour. Milton Rokeach, a pioneering social psychologist, defined values as “enduring beliefs that a specific mode of conduct or end-state of existence is personally or socially preferable” (Rokeach, 1973). Values act as internal standards, guiding choices and priorities in life.

Research suggests that when people live in alignment with their core values, they experience greater well-being, resilience, and life satisfaction (Schwartz, 1992). Moreover, studies indicate that value clarity enhances self-determination, a key element of psychological health as emphasised in Deci and Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory (2000).

Furthermore, purpose in life—closely linked to one’s core values—has been correlated with a myriad of positive outcomes, including better mental health, reduced stress, and even lower risks of chronic diseases (Hill & Turiano, 2014). In essence, understanding and living by your core values is not just philosophically enriching; it is scientifically beneficial.

What Are Core Values?

Core values are the fundamental beliefs that guide attitudes, decisions, and behaviours. They represent what is most important to you in life. Examples include integrity, compassion, creativity, freedom, security, and growth.

These values form the backbone of your identity and influence:

• What careers do you pursue
• What relationships do you nurture
• How do you define success
• What causes you to be a champion

Without clarity on these values, you may find yourself chasing goals that do not truly satisfy or reflect your deeper self, leading to feelings of emptiness or frustration.

How Core Values Influence Life Purpose

Your life purpose is the intersection of your passions, skills, and values aimed at making a meaningful contribution to the world. Without identifying your core values, your purpose remains vague or misaligned.

For instance, if your top value is freedom, yet you pursue a highly structured corporate career, dissonance may arise over time. Conversely, understanding that freedom is non-negotiable for you might lead you to design a career in entrepreneurship, remote work, or creative freelancing—paths more aligned with your innate drives.

Scientific Studies on Core Values and Purpose

1. Hill & Turiano (2014): This longitudinal study found that having a strong sense of purpose is associated with lower mortality rates and better psychological health, regardless of age. Purpose, often anchored in personal values, acts as a protective factor for long-term health.
2. Schwartz’s Value Theory (1992): Schwartz proposed a universal structure of values, demonstrating that specific values, such as benevolence, universalism, and self-direction, are linked to intrinsic motivation and personal fulfilment.
3. Kashdan & McKnight (2009) highlight that individuals with clearly defined personal values are more likely to pursue purposeful goals, experience greater life satisfaction, and demonstrate higher resilience during setbacks.

These findings reinforce that uncovering your core values is a scientifically supported pathway to discovering and sustaining your life purpose.

Practical Strategies to Identify Your Core Values

1. Reflect on Peak Moments

Think back to times when you felt most fulfilled, alive, and proud. What was happening? Who were you with? What needs were being met? These scenarios often reveal underlying values.

2. Examine Moments of Frustration

When have you felt deeply frustrated, hurt, or angry? Such moments often indicate that a value is being violated or ignored.

3. Observe Your Role Models

Who do you admire and why? The traits and behaviours you revere in others often reflect your values.

4. Conduct a Values List Exercise

Create a comprehensive list of potential values (e.g., integrity, compassion, adventure, growth). Narrow it down to your top 5. Resources like the Life Purpose Toolkit Bundle can aid this process.

5. Notice Your Decision-Making Filters

Ask yourself: What considerations consistently weigh in your decisions? Are you prioritising honesty, creativity, security, or innovation?

Step-by-Step Guide to Discovering Your Core Values

1. Set Aside Quiet Time: Allocate 30-60 minutes of uninterrupted time with a journal.
2. Brainstorm Freely: List all values that come to mind without judging or filtering.
3. Group & Categorise: Identify common themes and group similar values together.
4. Prioritise: From your grouped list, choose the top 5-7 values that resonate most with you.
5. Define Each Value: Write a personal definition for each. For example, if ‘Growth’ is a value, what does that specifically mean to you?
6. Test for Alignment: Reflect on whether your current life choices align with these values. If not, what changes might you consider?

Spiritual Alignment: The Soul’s Compass

From a spiritual perspective, values are seen as the soul’s compass, directing us to live in harmony with our higher self and the universe. Many spiritual traditions emphasise alignment with intrinsic values as a way to fulfil one’s destiny or dharma.

For example, in Eastern philosophy, living according to one’s dharma (life duty or purpose) is essential for inner peace and fulfilment. Similarly, in Western spiritual thought, living authentically and ethically is often seen as a path to divine alignment.

By tuning into your core values, you are not just charting a practical course—you are also synchronising with a greater cosmic design for your life.

Common Obstacles in Identifying Core Values (and How to Overcome Them)

• Social Conditioning: Often, societal or familial expectations can obscure actual values. Solution: Reflect deeply on what feels intrinsically right for you, not what you have been taught to prioritise.
• Overwhelm: A long list of potential values can be paralysing. Solution: Focus on situations that evoke strong emotional reactions to uncover genuine values.
• Fear of Judgment: You might fear that your values will alienate you from others. Solution: Remember that authenticity attracts the right relationships and opportunities.

Aligning Daily Actions with Core Values

Once you identify your core values, the next step is consistent alignment:

• Review decisions through the lens of your values.
• Set weekly or monthly intentions that reflect these values.
• Journal your reflections on how your daily activities align with or diverge from them.
• Regularly revisit and revise your value list as you grow and evolve.

The Journey from Values to Purpose: Real-Life Examples

• Malala Yousafzai: The core value of education led her to become a global advocate for girls’ education.
• Elon Musk: A deep commitment to innovation and sustainability drives his ventures in space travel and electric vehicles.
• Oprah Winfrey: Her value of empowerment and connection has shaped her media empire and philanthropic efforts.

In each case, clarity of core values fueled impactful, purpose-driven lives.

Implementing Core Values for a Purpose-Driven Life

Purpose is not a destination but a journey of alignment. When you live by your values, your path unfolds naturally with greater ease and authenticity. Whether it is your career, relationships, or personal projects, grounding them in your core values ensures sustained motivation and joy.

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References

• Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behaviour. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268.
• Hill, P. L., & Turiano, N. A. (2014). Purpose in life as a predictor of mortality across adulthood. Psychological Science, 25(7), 1482-1486.
• Kashdan, T. B., & McKnight, P. E. (2009). Origins of purpose in life: Refining our understanding of a life well lived. Psychological Topics, 18(2), 303-316.
• Rokeach, M. (1973). The Nature of Human Values. Free Press.
• (PDF) Universals in the Content and Structure of Values: Theoretical Advances and Empirical Tests in 20 Countries