A values map is a tool for clarifying your life’s direction. By visualizing what’s truly important to you, you can make clear choices every day and increase your life satisfaction.
How to create a values map
The process is very simple.
- Write “Myself” in the center of a large sheet of paper, then branch out and write down the “values” that are important to you. For example, write down anything that comes to mind, like “freedom,” “health,” “growth,” “contribution,” or “family.”
- Next, create sub-branches from each value and write down what specific actions they mean to you. For instance, if “knowledge” is a value, write down concrete actions like “read for 30 minutes every day” or “learn a new skill.”
This process allows you to visually understand what guides your life.
How to turn your map into action
A values map isn’t something you create and forget about. Your life changes when you put it into daily practice.
- Value Scheduling Break down the values from your map into specific actions and write them in your planner or calendar.
- Example: If your values map includes “intellectual curiosity,” clarify when and what you’ll do, such as “read at the library on Saturday mornings” or “study a new field for 15 minutes before bed every day.” This turns a mere “wish” into a “must-do.”
- Analyze the “Costs and Benefits” of Your Actions If you’re having trouble taking action, write down the benefits (gains) you’ll get from the action and the costs (time, money, effort) it will take. By calmly analyzing these, you’ll realize that costs can often be reduced with a little ingenuity and the benefits are often greater than you thought, which boosts your motivation.
The “Creativity” and “Curiosity” 1-Week Challenge
If your values include “creativity” or “curiosity,” try these playful one-week action plans.
1-Week Challenge to Boost “Creativity”
- Monday: Come up with at least three solutions to a problem without being limited by conventional thinking.
- Tuesday: Stimulate your senses by taking a different route to work or listening to music you normally wouldn’t.
- Wednesday: Think of new uses for everyday objects.
- Thursday: Combine two completely unrelated words to create a new idea.
- Friday: Try a different way of expressing yourself when you communicate with someone.
- Saturday: Intentionally seek out a “new experience.”
- Sunday: Review the week and plan for the next.
1-Week Challenge to Boost “Curiosity”
- Monday: Dive deep into the “whys” of things around you.
- Tuesday: Make it a habit to look up unfamiliar words or concepts in the news or conversations.
- Wednesday: Ask a coworker or friend you don’t normally talk to what they’re into.
- Thursday: Go to a bookstore and pick up a book from a genre you’d never read.
- Friday: Take a different street on your usual commute.
- Saturday: Use all five senses to experience the world, for example, at a museum or in nature.
- Sunday: Review what you learned during the week and create a “curiosity list” for the next week.
The most important thing is not to aim for perfection from the start. Begin with small steps, put your values into practice, and repeat the cycle of acting and reflecting. This will surely move your life in a positive direction.
