Self-reflective questions can help identify intrinsic values (internally driven values like growth, relationships, and purpose) as opposed to extrinsic values (externally motivated factors like status, wealth, and recognition).
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Here are 10 questions to guide you toward discovering your intrinsic values:
1. What activities make you feel truly alive, energised, and fulfilled, even if there’s no reward?
- Focus on moments where joy or flow comes naturally.
2. When no one is watching, and there’s no pressure to impress, what do you choose to do? Why?
- This uncovers motivations untainted by external validation.
3. Think of a time when you felt deeply connected to yourself or others. What values were being honoured?
- Connection often reflects intrinsic values like compassion, love, or contribution.
4. What makes you feel proud of yourself, regardless of external success or recognition?
- Pride tied to effort, integrity, or progress highlights intrinsic drivers.
5. If money and social status were guaranteed, what would you spend your time pursuing?
- Removing extrinsic factors reveals authentic desires.
6. When you’re in a challenging moment, what principles or values keep you going?
- This exposes deeper beliefs that drive resilience and purpose.
7. Who inspires you most, and why? What qualities do they embody that resonate with you?
- Admiration often reflects values you hold intrinsically.
8. What impact do you want to have on the people or world around you?
- Intrinsic values often focus on contribution and meaningful change.
9. What would you regret not doing, learning, or becoming in your lifetime?
- Identifying potential regrets clarifies what truly matters.
10. If everything you own was taken away tomorrow, what would still make life meaningful?
- A powerful exercise to strip external factors and focus on internal fulfilment.
Using the Results:
- Write your answers.
- Identify recurring themes, emotions, or values (e.g., integrity, creativity, kindness).
- Prioritise the 3–5 values that feel most personal and meaningful to you.
This reflective process often uncovers intrinsic values like authenticity, growth, contribution, and connection while distinguishing them from more external drivers such as moral codes, ethics, religious values (and others), or the seven areas of life, including recognition or wealth.