Define Your Values

What matters to you?

 

Let’s start by putting our values into words!

We can do this by defining what’s important to us at large. Start by writing down what values come to mind if someone were to ask you: What things do you view as most important in life?

You might write things like:

  • Stability

  • Convenience

  • Fairness

  • Balance

  • Sustainability

  • Respect

  • Friendship

  • Philanthropy

  • Expression

  • Wellbeing

  • Belonging

  • Pleasure

  • Locality

  • Tradition

  • Simplicity

  • Honesty

  • Home

  • Family

  • Education

  • Democracy

  • Creativity

  • Balance

  • Community

  • Security

  • Health

  • Justice

  • Equity

  • Passion

  • Quality

  • Self-Care

  • Liberty

  • Kindness

  • Comfort

Your values are personal to you, so don’t feel limited to the ones we listed! 

You can explore more values that may not immediately come to mind, too.

Think of a meaningful moment or moments in your life. When you think back to that moment, it probably feels meaningful because it was honoring one of your values. 

 

Maybe a recent discussion with your partner or a friend feels meaningful because you resolved a conflict. That might elicit values of trust, integrity, or connection.

Maybe a holiday meal with your family feels particularly meaningful to you. What values does that elicit—Tradition? Family? Health? Ritual?

 

Now let’s think of a moment or moments when you felt angry or frustrated. Often, anger and frustration come from a feeling of incongruence with our values, so these memories can uncover hidden values, too. Since we’ll be applying your values to the food system, it might help to think back to The Basics (our first masterclass section), too. Did some of the information about the conventional food system elicit a stronger emotional response in you than other information? That might tell you which values matter most to you.

 

Maybe you received a poor grade on a school group assignment because of other members of the group. The frustration you feel might stem from a value of justice or fairness. Or maybe in your case, it comes from a feeling of community instead—your group didn’t mutually support each other the way your values dictate groups should.

Or maybe your child won’t eat the dinner you prepared and you feel angry. Is that threatening your value of sustainability or conservation because perfectly good food is being thrown out? Or of health because you want your child to eat vegetables and they refuse? Or maybe it’s a value of family, culture, or tradition—your child’s reaction pushes away some sort of connection you are hoping to make with them.

 

From these exercises, come up with a list of about 15 values It’s ok if you have a few more or less—and remember, your values can shift over time, so you can always revisit this exercise in the future!

Next, group these values into similar categories—for example, family, loyalty, and friendship could all fall under the umbrella of community. Your target here is about 3-5 umbrella values.

Take your time with this process and feel free to create multiple lists until you feel like you have a group of values that really speaks to you.

Click ahead to put your list to use!

Ready to move on?