Determine your Values

• What people do you admire most? What is it about them that you truly admire?
• What is the right and wrong way to do things?
• What actions could you take and face any audience with confidence?
• What actions would cause you to hesitate to tell other people about? 

After answering the questions above, view the list of Values from the link below. 

• Write down all of the values that resonate most with you. Don't over think the process. Add any additional values you have that are not on the list. 
• Clump the values you've written down into no more than five groups of like values
• Choose one word from each category that best represents your value

For CYFworld, 11 Values were identified and then narrowed down to three primary Core Values that encompass all 11, as shown below:

1. Empowerment
2. Leadership (integrity, courage, candor, selfless, vision)
3. Purpose (gratitude, unity, God)

Create a daily reminder of your Core Values. Daily reminders can be as simple as:

• A triangle pendant, signifying your three core values
• A written note on your bathroom mirror
• Being deliberate about reciting your values first thing each morning

Your WHY is something only you can uncover. Your WHY is a unique and personal connection that is a powerful fuel to accomplishing what others may view as impossible. If your reason for driving to achieve your mission isn't sustainable through the most difficult times, keep looking for the WHY that provides that fuel. For some, their WHY is almost immediately apparent. For others, they never find it, but that is usually because they don't take the time to reflect to determine what that is. We all have a reason that is bigger than ourselves to make a difference that is bigger than ourselves. Your WHY provides:

• Motivation and passion for life
• Maintains focus on what really matters
• Reduces time focused on things that don't really matter
• Increases health and longevity. Those with a clear purpose have been shown to live longer and more healthy lives
• Decreases susceptibility to unhealthy habits
• Strengthens your mind and the resilience you have when obstacles occur

• Why is achieving your mission so important?
• What type of impact will achieving that mission have on others?
• What will occur if you do not fulfill your mission?
• What is your reason for getting up every day? 
• What means more to you than anything else?
• How could you make the lives of others better?
• What makes you the most happy?
• What do others come to you for help with?
• If you could do any one thing, what would that be? 
• If you had the chance to teach others one thing, what would that be? 
• What would you be willing to do without any payment or recognition? 
• What is your happiest memory as a child? What was happening? 
• What type of difference might you be able to make in the world? 
• What would you be willing to die for? 

Take time to reflect on the questions listed above and on others. Don't become frustrated when your WHY does not come immediately. Set intention for uncovering your WHY and you will find it. For some it is knowing that the skills and place you have in life provides real opportunity to bring real happiness to other people. For others, their WHY is to ensure that the hard work and sacrifices their single mother made to provide opportunity for her children is not wasted. When you uncover it, write down your WHY. Reflect on this often, especially during difficult times.