COMMA + CO RESOURCES
Values Reflection Exercise
At Comma + Co, we draw on a range of evidence-informed approaches, selecting what is relevant to the person and the work in front of us. This reflection is one way to explore your values: what matters to you, what you want to stand for, and how those values may be reflected in your everyday decisions, actions and priorities.
It is not an assessment, and there are no right or wrong answers. The purpose is not to label or prescribe, but to create space to notice and consider what feels important to you.
Below, you’ll find brief answers about values work and how to approach the reflection. Read them if some context would be useful, or go directly to the questions when you’re ready.
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Values are how you want to behave as a human being - not what you want to achieve or obtain, but how you want to act on an ongoing basis. They describe the way you want to treat yourself, others, and the world around you.
You could think of it this way:
"Be a supportive friend" is a value (ongoing, never complete)
"Make three new friends" is a goal (achievable, tick-able)
"Care for my physical and mental health" is a value
"Travel more" is a goal.
Values don't have a finish line. You can't tick them off. You can act on them today, tomorrow, and for the rest of your life, regardless of whether you achieve specific goals, or not. -
When you're clear about your values, you have a way to navigate life's inevitable uncertainties:
When decisions feel overwhelming: Values help you evaluate your options (e.g., "Which choice honours my value of honesty?")
When you feel stuck or dissatisfied: Values help you identify what might be missing (e.g., "I've been prioritising productivity but neglecting connection")
When motivation is low: Values provide direction that doesn't depend on feeling motivated, inspired, or confident
Values also help you notice when you're living in alignment with what matters to you, and when you might be drifting away from it. -
You don't need to...
Choose values that sound impressive or "right"
Pick what you think you should care about
Match what others expect of you
Have it all figured out perfectly
There are no right or wrong values - only what feels true for you in this moment. Your values might differ from your partner's, your parents', or your colleagues'. That's not just okay, it's expected. Like pineapple on pizza, values are personal.
This isn't a personality test or a way to label yourself. It's simply a tool to help you notice how your everyday actions align (or don't align) with your deeper sense of meaning and direction. You can revisit this reflection as often as you like - your values may shift as your life changes, and that's absolutely to be expected. -
Yes. One useful starting point is a values checklist, which is often used in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people notice what matters to them and how they want to show up in daily life. We like Russ Harris’s “A Quick Look at Your Values” checklist as a gentle reflection tool, rather than a test or a set of rules.
You can use it by reading through the list, selecting the values that feel important, then choosing a small handful that feel most relevant right now. From there, you might ask: “What would it look like to move one small step closer to this value this week?”
NOW THAT YOU’RE READY
Values can act like a compass. They do not dictate which direction to take or tell you what decision to make. Instead, they can offer a point of reference when circumstances shift, priorities compete, or a choice feels uncertain.
Different values may become more visible in different parts of life or at different times. This reflection invites you to consider what matters most to you in one area of your life right now.
Choose one area to focus on, such as wellbeing, relationships, work, study or personal growth
For each value, select one level:
V = Very important Q = Quite important N = Not so important
Once you have considered each value, identify the three that feel most important within the area you selected.
There are no right or wrong answers, and your responses may change over time. Choose what feels relevant to you now, rather than what you think should be important.
PRIVACY AND NEXT STEPS
Your responses are not stored. You can download your results to keep a copy. If you close the page without saving, selections are lost.
Based on "A Quick Look at Your Values" by Dr Russ Harris (2010), ACT Mindfully – www.actmindfully.com.au. Adapted for client use. Not for sale or commercial redistribution.
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