According to Dr. John Demartiniauthor of The Values Factorwhat we live, do and think on a daily basis illustrates, by example, what is really important to us; our Values.
Indeed, whatever the context and the situation, we always end up focusing on our real priorities in life. They are the ones who determine our choices and our actions.
Demartini’s approach is a bit like: “tell me about your activities last week or last month and I’ll tell you what your personal values are…”
He defines personal values as “ the inner compass that guides us in life, the positive emotions that motivate us to take action, the principles or actions that govern our daily thoughts and the things we believe deep within. »
So, what place do sport, family, friends, work, etc. occupy in your life today?
How to find your values?
To identify its Values, Demartini created a Value Determination Process in 13 questions, which allows you to become aware of your actions, activities and aspirations. The only rule to follow when completing the questionnaire is to give three distinct answers to each question. To answer, it is about starting from what is factual and taking the time to list what we are experiencing, doing and thinking at the moment. It is from what we actually do that we can identify our Values and therefore our opportunities to progress.
According to John Demartini, this self-analysis allows you to identify your fundamental values. We become more resilient, we free ourselves from the injunctions of those around us (socio-professional) and we see more easily in the long term. We no longer seek immediate gratification and we move away from the usual pattern of someone who wants everything, right away and now.

Among these daily actions, some are simply useless and you will ultimately have to eliminate them or delegate them to devote your time to projects and objectives that really matter to you. This will allow you to put authenticity, value and inspiration back into your everyday activities.
13 questions to identify your Values
To answer this questionnaire, bring a white sheet of paper and a pen. Be honest with yourself and answer sincerely and accurately. You must give an answer that reflects exactly what you experience, do and think on a daily basis. Otherwise, it’s not much use…
Remember, you have to give three different answers to each question!
1. What objects are found most in your personal space?
Make a list of the objects that are in your living rooms or in your office. For example, in an office, you can find: books, a computer, notebooks, photos, tables, a smartphone, etc.
2. What do you do with your time?
We always find time to do what is important to us. Some people like to spend a lot of time at work to advance their goals. Others prefer to spend time reading, learning, listening to music, sweating at the gym, helping others in an association, checking social media, or relaxing in front of videos. YouTube or Netflix…
3. What gives you energy?
Even when we are tired, we are still able to find the strength to do activities that inspire us or give us satisfaction.
4. How do you spend your money?
Beyond your constrained expenses (food, housing, transport, etc.), in what circumstances, in what places, on what objects or services do you spend your money (when you have any left)?
5. In which areas are you best organized?
In terms of organization, everyone does their best. But there are only 24 hours in a day, so in what area of your life are you super efficient? Where do you think you would best use your time? For administrative tasks? For meal management? To organize children’s activities? For your professional missions?
6. In what areas can we always count on you?
Everyone has resources to share. Some are exceptional at giving advice, others at lending a hand to organize an event, still others at resolving a mechanical problem on a broken down car… It’s about the three areas in which you are the most reliable .
7. What do you mainly focus your attention on?
What are you focused on most of the time? These things are part of your daily life and you must identify them to better optimize them. For example, some people are hyper-focused when working or writing. Others may be when they check the month’s expenses, prepare an estimate or play a video game. What gets all your attention?
8. What do you think or dream about the most?
When you think about the future, what three situations do you visualize most often? Some people imagine success in a particular field, a marriage or a dream trip. Others see themselves creating their own business, writing a novel or founding an association that will impact the lives of others…
9. What goes through your head most often?
There are times when we ask ourselves lots of questions and we start talking to ourselves. So, what is your inner dialogue about? It’s about identifying your three concerns that come up most often.
10. What are your favorite topics of conversation with others?
I’m sure that with your friends, your colleagues or even neighbors, there are subjects that inspire you and others that indifference to you. Some people like to talk about football, celebrity escapades, architecture, current affairs, others love to discuss exotic travel, fashion or politics.
11. What inspires you the most?
In everything you do, to stay motivated, you need a little inspiration. So where do you find it? In the success of others? In the advice of a particular person? In the smiles of your loved ones? In reading? In meditation?
12. What are your three main long-term goals?
To move forward in life, we need goals. We also need to define priorities to know where you should concentrate the maximum resources. To travel ? Do sports? Change your life, job or professional direction? Grow your business?
13. What would you most like to learn or study?
Many of us would like to learn new things, train to acquire skills, expand our knowledge in a specific field… And what are you passionate about? In what area would you like to progress?
The classification phase
Since you gave three answers to each of the 13 questions, you now end up with 39 answers. Review them.
You will discover that a certain number of these answers are recurring. Sometimes these answers are different expressions of the same idea. For example, a person who places Friendship as one of their Fundamental Values might have responses like “go for a drink with colleagues”, “go to a movie with friends” or “have a bowling evening with friends”. friends”.
Look for the answers that come up most often and count the occurrences. This classification phase consists of grouping the responses by thematic category.
In the example above, the category would be titled “Friendship.” Let’s take another example: if the notions of “teamwork”, “turnover”, “business” or “marketing” appear frequently, you will create a “Business” category. You get the idea…
You will thus distinguish the most recurring theme: it is probably the most important thing for you. Your number one value.
Then, proceed in the same way for the answer category that comes in second position, then in third position, and so on. Each category must be reduced to a central Value. This exercise will therefore give you a first idea of your hierarchy of values.
The benefit of the exercise
This exercise in identifying your Values is important for everyone, whether you’re having trouble succeeding in life, whether or not you’re happy at work, or whether you’re already running a successful business.
Whatever your situation, when you identify all the things you already do and the things you want to do, you focus on the essentials and give yourself the means to refine your goals.
These are the themes that matter to you, so the ones that should guide you in life are your personal values.