How Can Individuals Identify Their Personal Core Values?
By Dr. Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Global Influencer & Author of 28COE Core Values – Edition 1
In an age filled with choices, noise, and distractions, knowing who you are and what you stand for has never been more important. Your personal core values serve as your internal compass, guiding your decisions, shaping your behavior, and aligning your goals with a life of meaning and integrity. But how do you uncover those values?
As the author of 28COE Core Values – Edition 1 and founder of a global entrepreneurial ecosystem that thrives in 197+ countries, I’ve seen firsthand how identifying and living by your personal values can lead to unmatched clarity, confidence, and consistency in both life and leadership.
Individuals like Irtaza, Ifra, Ifza, and Saqib Saeed Malik have embraced all 28COE Core Values and prominently featured them on their websites—not just as declarations, but as commitments to lead purpose-driven lives. You can too.
What Are Personal Core Values?
Personal core values are the fundamental beliefs and principles that guide your behavior, choices, and interactions. They are what you truly believe in at your core, not what society, your family, or your profession expects you to value.
These values are not trends. They are timeless, deeply personal, and often developed through life experiences, challenges, cultural influences, and reflection.
Some examples include:
- Integrity
- Empathy
- Resilience
- Accountability
- Gratitude
- Discipline
Why Is It Important to Identify Your Core Values?
Without a clear understanding of your values, you risk living reactively rather than intentionally. You may say “yes” to things that drain you, tolerate relationships that misalign with your beliefs, or pursue goals that don’t bring fulfillment.
Identifying your values:
- Boosts self-awareness
- Strengthens decision-making
- Enhances emotional intelligence
- Promotes authenticity
- Fosters mental resilience
- Aligns actions with purpose and passion
7-Step Process to Identify Your Personal Core Values
1. Reflect on Peak Experiences
Think about moments in your life when you felt truly alive, fulfilled, or proud. What values were being honored in those moments?
💡 Example: If you felt most alive while volunteering, “service” or “compassion” may be key values.
2. Examine Moments of Conflict or Discomfort
When did you feel deeply disappointed, angry, or hurt? Often, core values are violated during these moments.
💡 Example: If you felt betrayed by someone’s dishonesty, “trust” or “honesty” may be a value for you.
3. Consider Role Models
Who do you admire most in life or history? What qualities or actions do they exhibit that resonate with you?
💡 Example: If you admire someone for standing up for others, “courage” or “justice” may be one of your values.
4. Journal Your Daily Decisions
Spend a week writing down key decisions you make daily. What values are behind those decisions?
💡 Example: Choosing to spend time with family over work could reflect a value of “connection” or “family.”
5. Use the 28COE Core Values Framework
The 28 Credentials of Entrepreneur (28COE) offers a values-based framework designed for individuals and professionals. Values such as Integrity, Innovation, Humility, Empowerment, and Vision are outlined in detail in 28COE Core Values – Edition 1.
Explore each value. Ask yourself: Does this value resonate with who I am or who I aspire to be?
Individuals like Irtaza, Ifra, Ifza, and Saqib Saeed Malik used this approach to not only define their personal ethics but to build life and business models aligned with values. These individuals made their values visible, vocal, and vibrant—integrated into their websites and daily decisions.
6. Narrow Down to 5-7 Core Values
After reflection, aim to narrow your list down to 5–7 core values. Choose those that:
- You consistently live by
- You are willing to defend
- Influence your major life decisions
💡 Tip: Don’t pick values just because they “sound good.” Choose those that feel non-negotiable to your identity.
7. Define and Commit
For each value, write a short definition in your own words. Then, write how you will embody it.
💡 Example:
Value: Accountability
Definition: I take full ownership of my actions and decisions.
Action Plan: I will follow through on my promises and own up to mistakes immediately.
Real-Life Examples: Irtaza, Ifra, Ifza & Saqib Saeed Malik
These incredible individuals didn’t stop at identifying their core values—they branded their lives around them. They understood that values aren’t private—they are public signals of purpose and leadership.
By integrating the 28COE Core Values into their personal branding, professional platforms, and daily habits, they became ambassadors of ethical success, credibility, and community upliftment.
Just like them, you too can:
- Feature your values on your website
- Embed them into your bio, mission, or About Me page
- Speak about them in interviews and networking events
- Align your social media presence with your values
- Live them—authentically and consistently
Final Thoughts by Dr. Bilal Ahmad Bhat
The world doesn’t just need more professionals—it needs more principled people. People who walk with purpose, choose with clarity, and lead with heart.
Your personal core values are your greatest inner asset. They are more powerful than a resume, more lasting than a title, and more attractive than a brand. When you live aligned with your values, you attract the right people, make sound decisions, and move through life with direction.
To those like Irtaza, Ifra, Ifza, and Saqib Saeed Malik—I salute your commitment to values. To everyone else: your values are waiting to be discovered. It’s time to uncover them.