Think of your values as a circle with two big tensions:
Growth ↔ Self-protection
Growth takes chances and leaves the comfort box. Self-protection keeps things safe and familiar.
Social focus ↔ Personal focus
Social focus centers “we” (community, contribution). Personal focus centers “me” (autonomy, self-direction).
From these tensions, four clusters emerge:
Openness to Change (growth + personal focus)
Self-Transcendence (growth + social focus)
Conservation (self-protection + social focus)
Self-Enhancement (self-protection + personal focus)
Inside the clusters sit everyday values you can recognize: power, security, benevolence, universalism, self-direction, stimulation, pleasure, achievement, and more. Notice which words pull you—and which you’d gladly trade away.
You can prefer one side without demonizing the other.
You can hold “opposites,” but giving more weight to one cluster clarifies choices.
You can rate where you are now vs. where you want to be—and plan small shifts.
Alignment isn’t abstract. It shows up in your real life—what you were doing, who you were with, and where you were when you felt happiest.
Sometimes one element dominates:
A person who draws out your growth and excellence.
An environment (nature, quiet, creative bustle) that turns your values on.
A doing (teaching, building, caring, solving) that feels like home.
Use these moments as data. They tell you which values you actually live—not just admire.
Circle your pull. From the four clusters above, pick the one that feels most “you” this month. Then choose 3–5 specific values inside it.
Rate weight vs. reality. For each value, score Importance (1–10) and Alignment (1–10) today.
Happiest-moment scan. Write three specific moments you felt deeply happy. For each, note what you were doing, who was there, and where you were. Highlight which value(s) were active.
One behavior per value. Translate each value into a 10-minute, observable action you can do this week.
Self-direction → “Protect a 25-minute deep-work block daily.”
Benevolence → “Send one specific appreciation before lunch.”
Security → “Close the day with a 3-line checklist for tomorrow.”
Schedule + review. Put the actions on your calendar and run a nightly note: “After practicing [value], my energy = −2/−1/0/+1/+2.” Keep what gives a positive after-glow.
Why this works: You’re pairing a big picture (wheel) with micro behaviors you can repeat. Your body tells you when alignment is real—energy steadies, second-guessing drops.
Which cluster (Openness, Self-Transcendence, Conservation, Self-Enhancement) feels most like you right now?
Which one small behavior will you repeat daily to embody it?
Who or where consistently activates your best values—and how will you spend more time there?
Values guide best when they’re weighted and lived, not just listed. Use the wheel to choose direction, then prove it with tiny, repeatable actions that leave you feeling more whole.
— Sandro Formica, PhD
Founder of Permanently Happy (questions at [email protected])
Keynote Speaker | Transforming Leaders & Organizations Through Positive Leadership & Personal Branding | Director, Chief Happiness Officer Certificate Program
