Personal Values Questionnaire

Introduction

This questionnaire is designed to help you identify and clarify your core personal values. Take your time with each question and reflect deeply on your genuine feelings and reactions. There are no right or wrong answers – the goal is to understand what truly matters to you.

Part 1: Life Experiences & Reflection

Past Influences

1. Think about a time when you felt most proud of yourself. What specifically about the situation made you feel this way?
2. Recall three people you deeply admire. What qualities or characteristics draw you to them?
3. What were some of the most important lessons your family taught you growing up?
4. Describe a moment when you felt completely fulfilled. What elements were present in that experience?
5. What past experiences have shaped your worldview the most significantly?

Present Assessment

1. What makes you feel energized and alive?
2. What issues or causes make you feel angry or frustrated? Why do these particular things bother you?
3. If you could change three things about the world, what would they be and why?
4. What do you find yourself consistently standing up for or defending?
5. When do you feel most authentically yourself?

Part 2: Decision Making & Priorities

Personal Choices

1. When making difficult decisions, what factors do you consider most important?
2. How do you define success for yourself? What does a “successful life” look like to you?
3. What would you be willing to sacrifice everything for?
4. What types of activities or commitments do you never regret spending time on?
5. What do you want to be remembered for?

Trade-offs

Rate how you would prioritize the following pairs (1-5 for each, where 5 is strongly prefer):

1. Security vs. Adventure
2. Innovation vs. Tradition
3. Independence vs. Community
4. Achievement vs. Balance
5. Leadership vs. Cooperation

Part 3: Behavioral Patterns

Daily Life

1. How do you typically spend your free time when no one is watching?
2. What topics do you find yourself naturally gravitating toward in conversations?
3. What do you spend money on without hesitation?
4. What activities make you lose track of time?
5. What do you find yourself consistently recommending to others?

Relationship Dynamics

1. What qualities do you value most in your close relationships?
2. What behaviors from others tend to earn your respect?
3. What kinds of conflicts or disagreements affect you the most deeply?
4. How do you prefer to help others?
5. What boundaries do you find most important to maintain?

Part 4: Future Orientation

Aspirations

1. What changes would you like to see in yourself over the next few years?
2. What impact do you hope to have on others?
3. What skills or areas of knowledge are you most motivated to develop?
4. What experiences do you want to have before you die?
5. What legacy do you hope to leave?

Life Purpose

1. What problems or challenges do you feel called to address?
2. When do you feel most useful to others or society?
3. What gives your life meaning beyond your personal happiness?
4. What would you continue doing even if you weren’t paid for it?
5. What do you believe is your unique contribution to the world?

Part 5: Synthesis & Integration

Values Clarification

1. Looking at your responses, what patterns do you notice?
2. Which of your answers surprised you the most?
3. What values seem to consistently underpin your choices and preferences?
4. Where do you notice conflicts between different values you hold?
5. Which of your values feel non-negotiable?

Action Planning

1. How well does your current life align with the values you’ve identified?
2. What changes might help you live more in accordance with your values?
3. What support or resources would help you honor your values more fully?
4. What obstacles might prevent you from living your values?
5. What first steps could you take to better align your life with your values?

Conclusion

Take time to review your responses and identify 5-7 core values that seem most essential to who you are. Consider writing a personal values statement that articulates how these values guide your life choices and actions.

Remember that values can evolve over time – consider revisiting this questionnaire periodically to reflect on how your values may be shifting or deepening.