The Life Compass | Therapy Toolbox

Step 1: Discover your core values

Choose broadly first, then narrow down to 5–6 values that matter most and rank them.

When choosing, prioritize values that genuinely feel meaningful or energizing rather than values you think you “should” have. Focus on what you want more of, not only what you want less of.

This list is not exhaustive. You can add your own values.

Not sure where to start? Look for clues in your life.

There is no “correct” set of values. Jot down whatever comes to mind; you do not need to figure it all out at once. These prompts can help you move from lived experience to possible values.

Who do I admire, and what qualities in them matter to me?

When do I feel most like myself? What am I doing or expressing in those moments?

What tends to make me especially angry, disappointed, or hurt? What might that reveal I care about?

Think of a moment I felt genuinely proud. What qualities was I showing?

If I could set aside other people's expectations, what kind of person would I want to be?

How would I hope the people who matter to me describe me?

Still stuck? Try brainstorming around: connection, growth and learning, freedom and autonomy, care and contribution, honesty and integrity, creativity and exploration, stability and safety, health and balance, fun and experience, or achievement and mastery. Then use the full list below to find words that fit.

My core values (up to 6)

Use the star to move a value into your core list; use arrows to rank them.

Step 2: Map your life compass

For each life area, note what matters: What kind of person do you want to be? What strengths or qualities do you want to cultivate? What do you want to stand for, do, or how do you ideally want to behave?

If a domain is irrelevant, leave it blank. If you get stuck, skip it and come back later. It is also fine if the same words appear across several domains—this can reveal values that cut across your life.

Step 3: Notice priorities, not perfection

Based on your ratings, areas with a larger importance–alignment gap will appear here.

Which life areas feel most important right now?

Which important areas may be getting neglected?

Which values keep showing up across different areas?

Step 4: Turn values into one next action

Choose a life area

What value do you want this action to express?

One specific, doable action

When will you do it?

What might get in the way, and how could you respond?

My action commitment

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