Fulfillment in life is related to how well you are living in alignment with your values. Values are not morals or principles. They are the essence of who you are—not who you think you should be. 

For example, money is not a value, but the things that money might buy, such as free time, risk-taking, and being of service to others are values. 

Before becoming a personal trainer, I worked at several jobs that were so far out of alignment with my values that I lived with chronic stress and physical pain. When I figured out that I valued being my own boss, working flexible hours, having a job that allowed me to move my body regularly while still helping to improve the lives of others, I shifted into work that has allowed me to live with joy and ease.

When you’re aligned with your values:

• you feel inner peace and harmony, 

• it’s easy to make choices about your life, and 

• your actions are in harmony with your true self. 

Take this short quiz to see how well you are living in sync with your values.  Answer each question with a “true” or “false” response and keep track of your answers. 

1. I know what my values are and could articulate them if asked.

2. My values are my own. I have not simply adopted them from parents, teachers or other outside influences.

3. My values are in alignment with the work I do now, either paid employment or volunteer work.

4. I turn down money-making or status-building opportunities when they conflict with my values.

5. Someone looking at my life from the outside would see what I value.

6. I use my values as a guidepost for making decisions, meaning I use my intuition to determine if a particular choice would bring me closer to—or further from—a core value.

7. When I feel upset, it’s almost always because my values are being dishonored—either by me, someone else, or the situation. 

8. I am not easily swayed by others’ opinions when they conflict with my values.

9. To remain open and flexible, I am willing to re-examine my values to determine whether something is still true for me.

10. I try to find creative ways to honor all of my values—even when they conflict with one another.

11. My work or volunteering values are in harmony with my personal and relationship values.

12. If I live according to my values, I will feel satisfied and successful throughout my life.

If you answered true more often than false, you are doing a great job of living in sync with your values, and Congratulations to You!

If you answered false more often than true, you may wish to clarify your deepest values and bring your life into greater alignment with them.  Be kind to yourself and find small ways to change consistently so that you can feel in more harmony with your true self.