Life Values govern people’ behavior regardless if they can name the ones impacting them. Thanks to the life values and priorities we can establish goals (staying with family or following dream about adventures?), make short and long-term decisions (should I get a job which will provide stable income or provide personal growth?), or select friends and partners (how important is it that a friend is honest?).
I propose to use three lists, which can be visualized as acting on a person from different distances:
Internal for a person: Life Values – the deepest principles guiding the person’s behavior, e.g., integrity or honor. Life Values are “owned” by the person – no one can force the change or take these values away from the person unless he or she decides to rule them out from their life.
In the close vicinity: Life Priorities – the behaviors, emotions, and goals that are the most important for a person in their private life, e.g., having and taking care of the family. Reaching priorities is not guaranteed, it may require some effort, and it can even fail due to some life circumstances.
General: Social Issues – the concerns and goals regarding the environment and society the person lives in, e.g., climate change.