Authentic Values Framework
The Authentic Values Framework is a step-by-step process to uncover, refine, and live your core values with clarity and intention. Unlike traditional one-word lists, this framework is action-oriented and incorporates visualization techniques—helping you transform abstract ideals into vivid, emotionally resonant values. By guiding you to define values that inspire meaningful action and alignment in your daily life, it offers a more dynamic and personalized journey. I hope you enjoy the process!
Step 1: Uncover core values
Reflect on your life experiences, strengths, and challenges to identify raw, unrefined values. This step surfaces potential values, even if they feel broad or overlapping.
Exercise: Guided reflection
Use these prompts to explore meaningful moments, strengths, and challenges in your life:
Peak experiences:
Think of moments when you felt most alive, fulfilled, or proud. What were you doing? Who were you with? What made it meaningful?
What emotions surfaced during these moments (e.g., joy, connection, purpose)?
Strengths and skills:
What are you most skilled at or naturally good at? What do people compliment you on the most?
What are you most proud of achieving? What skills or values helped you accomplish it?
Challenges and wisdom:
What challenges or obstacles have shaped who you are?
What lessons or values emerged from overcoming those experiences? (Example: Relationship struggles might highlight Authenticity, Forgiveness, or Resilience.)
How have your roots or life journey shaped your perspective today?
Guiding principles:
What principles guide your decisions and actions, even when life feels uncertain?
Which values make you feel most aligned with your true self or "at home" in your life?
What do you hope others experience because of how you live or interact with them?
Aspirations and future self:
Imagine your future self living a life that feels deeply fulfilling—what values do they embody?
Which of these values excites or motivates you the most?
Step 2: Identify core values
Review your responses from Step 1 to identify potential values. This step helps you connect specific insights from your reflections to concrete values that resonate deeply.
Exercise: Reflection and prioritization
Review your responses from Step 1 and discover your values:
Look for recurring words, emotions, or themes (e.g., freedom, connection, creativity).
Write down a list of potential values that stand out to you—these can be broad at this stage.
Prioritize 8-10 values that feel most significant to you.
Ask yourself:
Which values seem to appear repeatedly across my answers?
What words or concepts feel especially meaningful or important to me?
Which of these potential values excite or motivate me the most?
Step 3: Discover life themes
Narrow your list of values by grouping similar themes and distilling them into 3-6 clear, distinct values. These themes highlight the bigger story your values tell.
Exercise: Pattern recognition
Review your responses from Step 2 and discover your core values:
Group overlapping or similar themes (e.g. Love, Kindness, and Compassion → Connection).
Choose the 3-6 values that resonate the most deeply.
Example themes:
Personal evolution: Growth, freedom, learning
Authentic connection: Love, compassion, joy
Creative independence: Exploration, autonomy, creativity
Step 4: Create vivid descriptions
Transform your core values from abstract concepts into personal, vivid descriptions that evoke emotion and meaning. These descriptions should feel unique to you and serve as a reminder of why each value matters.
Exercise: Visualization
Use your creativity to craft metaphors, imagery, or action-focused language that makes each value come alive. These descriptions should reflect how the value feels, looks, or acts in your life.
Steps to create descriptions:
Reflect on what each value means to you personally.
Think of metaphors, stories, or images that capture the essence of the value.
Example: Freedom might feel like “standing on a windswept cliff, looking out at an endless ocean.”
Write a short, evocative description in your own words.
If you're feeling stuck or need inspiration, ChatGPT can help! Use prompts like these to refine or generate ideas:
ChatGPT prompts to create descriptions:
"Help me create a vivid description for the value 'Growth' using metaphors or imagery that feel dynamic and inspiring."
"Based on my life themes (e.g., coaching, learning, and transformation), write a description for 'Authenticity' that feels deeply personal."
"I’m struggling to describe 'Joy.' Can you help me craft imagery that feels vibrant, uplifting, and connected to nature or hobbies?"
For reference, here are my authentic values!
"The Alchemist" (theme of Growth) embodies my passion for learning, coaching, and turning potential into reality. It’s the ability to see opportunities for transformation in people, ideas, and systems—and to take action to bring them to life. Growth feels like a spark igniting in a dark room, filling the space with light and possibility. It’s about being in motion, building something greater, and empowering myself and others to evolve.
"Roots and Branches" (theme of Connection) is the sense of grounding and flourishing that comes from meaningful relationships and community. It’s about being rooted in trust, love, and shared understanding, while also branching out to touch and uplift others. Whether through family, deep conversations, or helping someone in need, connection feels like a strong, steady tree—offering shade, support, and the joy of shared growth.
"Open Horizons" (theme of Freedom) captures my love for exploration, autonomy, and the courage to live life on my own terms. It’s financial independence, creative expression, and the flexibility to roam wherever my curiosity leads me. Freedom feels like standing on a vast, open plain at sunrise, with the wind in my hair and the knowledge that I can choose my own path, unburdened and limitless.
"Golden Moments" (theme of Joy) is the sparkle of happiness that comes from life's simple pleasures and moments of delight. It’s the warmth of sunlit mornings, the satisfaction of a favorite hobby, the beauty of nature, a perfectly plated meal, the satisfaction of a well-executed idea, and the indulgence of treating myself. Joy feels like a golden hour where everything glows with contentment and fulfillment, reminding me of life’s sweetness.
"True North" (theme of Authenticity) represents my commitment to living with alignment and integrity. It’s about being true to myself, speaking my needs, and finding strength in vulnerability. Authenticity feels like standing tall in my own truth, even when it’s hard, and honoring my journey as I navigate life with courage and wisdom.
Step 5: Align with action
Tie each value to actionable steps in your daily life. Values become real when they guide behavior.
Exercise: Action plan
For each value, identify one intentional action to take this week:
"The Alchemist": Dedicate an hour daily to learning, reading or skill-building.
"Roots and Branches": Schedule quality time with a loved one weekly.
"Golden Moments": Take a moment each day to recognize a simple pleasure.
Step 6: Alignment check
Reflect regularly to ensure your actions align with your values. Adjust as needed to stay authentic.
Exercise: Weekly reflection
Ask yourself:
Did I live in alignment with my values today/this week?
Where did I feel most connected to my values? Where did I feel disconnected?
What’s one action I can take next week to realign with my values?
7. Share and sustain your values
Keep your values visible and dynamic. Use visual tools or community accountability to ensure your Authentic Values remain an active part of your life.
Ideas for sustaining values:
Create a vision board or list of your values with their vivid descriptions.
Share your values with a trusted friend, coach, or accountability partner.
Revisit and refine your values annually as you grow and evolve.
Here’s what this framework can help you achieve:
Clarity of purpose: Identify and prioritize what’s most meaningful in your life.
Authentic decision-making: Make choices that feel aligned with your core principles and life goals.
Personal empowerment: Gain a deeper understanding of your unique strengths, values, and the themes that shape your life.
Intentional action: Turn abstract values into tangible steps for daily alignment and fulfillment.
Emotional fulfillment: Cultivate joy, connection, and growth by living in harmony with your values.
Resilience and adaptability: Reflect and refine your values to stay grounded during change and personal growth.
Deeper connections: Strengthen relationships by sharing and living your values with authenticity.
Summary of the framework
Uncover core values: Reflect to surface raw values.
Refine core values: Prioritize and clarify 8-10 meaningful values.
Discover Life Themes: Identify 3-6 overarching themes linking your values.
Create vivid descriptions: Personalize your final 3-6 values with metaphors and imagery.
Align with action: Live your values through intentional actions.
Alignment check: Reflect regularly to maintain authenticity.
Share and sustain values: Keep your values visible and dynamic as you grow.
The Authentic Values Framework is a guided process to uncover, refine, and live your core values in alignment with your life themes. By reflecting on meaningful experiences, strengths, and challenges, this framework helps you identify what truly matters to you. It encourages the personalization of values through vivid descriptions, aligning them with intentional actions, and fostering regular reflection to stay connected and adaptable as you grow.
The Authentic Values Framework is a process I created, inspired by concepts from To Be Magnetic’s (TBM) Authentic Code, Co-Active Training Institute use of vivid imagery, and other value-based frameworks. It integrates reflection, creativity, and action to help individuals move beyond traditional one-word lists and embody their values in meaningful, dynamic ways.
