Find Your Flow: Change Careers by Starting With What Matters to You

Part 1: Self-Assessment - The Foundation for Change

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Uncovering Your Core Values: Beyond Buzzwords

You’re here because something feels…off. Maybe you’re successful by external standards, but you dread Mondays. Perhaps you’re competent but not engaged. Or maybe you simply feel like you’re building someone else’s dream, not your own. That feeling of misalignment? It often stems from a disconnect between what you think you should want and what you genuinely value. Identifying your core values isn’t about finding the right career title; it's about understanding what truly motivates you, what brings you energy, and what makes work feel meaningful. It’s the bedrock of a fulfilling career, and it’s where we start.

Why Values Matter

Values are the fundamental beliefs that guide your behavior and decision-making. When your work aligns with your values, you experience a sense of authenticity and purpose. When it doesn’t, you feel drained, frustrated, and ultimately, unfulfilled. Think of it like this: you can be technically good at a job, but if it violates a core value, you’ll likely burn out. We’re going to move beyond vague terms like “integrity” and “teamwork” to pinpoint your specific drivers.

The Values Card Sort: A Hands-On Exercise

This isn’t about taking a personality test and accepting the results. It’s about actively clarifying what you believe is important. We'll use a card sort exercise. You can easily create your own, or download a printable version from a resource online (search for “values card sort printable”).

Here’s how it works:

1. Gather Materials: You’ll need approximately 60-80 values cards (each card with a single value written on it, examples below). Alternatively, create a digital list you can manipulate.
2. Initial Sort: Spread all the cards out in front of you. Read each card and quickly place it into one of three piles: “Definitely Yes,” “Maybe,” and “Definitely No.” Don’t overthink it at this stage. Just go with your gut reaction.
3. Refine the "Definitely Yes" Pile: Take the "Definitely Yes" pile and narrow it down to your top 10-15 values. This is harder than it sounds. Compare cards side-by-side. Which one feels more essential?
4. Prioritize the Top 10-15: Now, rank your top 10-15 values in order of importance. This is where it gets really challenging. Ask yourself: “If I had to choose between these two, which one would I sacrifice less willingly?”
5. Final Selection: From your ranked list, choose your 5-7 core values. These are the non-negotiables. The values that, if consistently violated, would make you deeply unhappy.

Example Value Cards (start with these, and add others that resonate with you):

• Achievement
• Adventure
• Authenticity
• Autonomy
• Balance
• Challenge
• Community
• Compassion
• Creativity
• Curiosity
• Dependability
• Diversity
• Efficiency
• Financial Security
• Flexibility
• Growth
• Honesty
• Impact
• Independence
• Innovation
• Justice
• Kindness
• Leadership
• Learning
• Loyalty
• Meaning
• Openness
• Recognition
• Relationships
• Responsibility
• Security
• Service
• Stability
• Teamwork
• Tradition
• Trust

Action step: Spend at least an hour on this exercise. Don’t rush it. The more deliberate you are, the more accurate your results will be.

Analyzing Past Work Experiences Through a Values Lens

Now that you have your core values, let’s look back at your career. Think about jobs you loved and jobs you loathed. What values were being honored in the positive experiences? What values were being violated in the negative ones?

Use this table to guide your reflection:

| Job Title | Values Honored (List 2-3) | Values Violated (List 2-3) | Overall Feeling | |---|---|---|---| | Example: Marketing Manager | Creativity, Impact, Teamwork | Autonomy, Financial Security | Generally Positive | | Your Job 1 | | | | | Your Job 2 | | | | | Your Job 3 | ...