Developing personal principles
Close the gap between your values and your daily actions.
Are your daily actions in line with your values?
Do you know the principles that guide your decisions?
What steps do you take to develop and strengthen those principles?
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Personal values are the beliefs that shape how you want to behave and the kind of person you want to be. For instance, you may want to act honestly (value: honesty) or view yourself as original and innovative (value: creativity). Values are broad and abstract. The challenge is that many people struggle to live by them, which can lead to frustration, guilt, or regret.
Personal principles are actionable guidelines that help you turn values into action. While values describe ideals, principles show you how to live those ideals each day. They make it easier to choose and act in ways that reflect what matters most to you. Principles differ from person to person because they grow out of each individual's values, experiences, and beliefs. Like values, they are ongoing and evolve over time.
Values act like a compass that points you in the direction you want to live. Principles turn that direction into a workable route you can follow. Your daily actions are the steps that move you forward along that path.
Examples of values and related principles
Principles give you a practical path for living your values. They guide how you act, decide, and respond in ways that match what you believe.
👉 Authenticity: I express my thoughts and feelings clearly and respectfully, even when it’s uncomfortable.
👉 Autonomy (*): I make my own decisions and take responsibility for them.
👉 Caring: I actively help others, noticing opportunities to support and make a difference.
👉 Competence (*): I practice and learn new skills regularly to improve my effectiveness.
👉 Connection (*): I make time to build meaningful relationships, listen deeply, and engage in ways that foster trust and mutual support.
👉 Curiosity: I explore new ideas, ask questions, and challenge my assumptions.
👉 Growth: I embrace challenges and reflect on experiences to keep improving.
👉 Health: I exercise, eat well, rest, and manage stress consistently.
👉 Integrity: I keep promises and act according to my principles, even under pressure.
👉 Respect: I listen actively, communicate courteously, and treat everyone with dignity.
👉 Safety: I make choices that protect myself and others, avoiding unnecessary risk.
👉 Service: I dedicate time and resources to help others in ways that have real impact.
(*) These are basic psychological needs.
Steps to define your personal principles
Defining your principles means turning your values into clear, actionable guidelines for how you behave and make decisions.
1️⃣ Identify your values
If you haven’t done this yet, clarify your personal values using any structured method you prefer or by following the steps outlined here. You’ll finish with a list of values and core values that matter most.
Example: If autonomy is one of your core values, include it in your list.
2️⃣ Translate each value into personal principles
Consider what each value means in daily life. Write clear, specific statements that capture how you will put that value into action. Each statement should start with “I” and be easy to use in real situations. Think about times when the value mattered and how it shaped your decisions.
Example: If autonomy is a core value, you might write:
“I make my own decisions and take responsibility for them.”
“I set boundaries that protect my freedom and individuality.”
3️⃣ Test and refine your principles
Use your principles in everyday decisions. Notice how they influence your actions and interactions. Check whether they match your values and help you move toward your goals. Adjust them as your understanding grows.
Example: Pay attention to whether “I make my own decisions and take responsibility for them” keeps you aligned with autonomy, and whether “I set boundaries that protect my freedom and individuality” supports your independence.
4️⃣ Commit to your principles
Build your principles into daily habits. Consistency makes them effective. Review them regularly to ensure they still reflect your values and your current life. Update them as needed.
Example: Apply your autonomy principles each day so they become part of how you operate.
Additional tips
👉 Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself when you fall short. Compassion helps you stay engaged and resilient.
👉 Handle negative thoughts and feelings: Not living up to your principles can trigger painful reactions. Defuse or question painful thoughts, and allow yourself to feel difficult feelings without judgment.
👉 Write them down: Documenting your principles brings clarity and gives you a reference point.
👉 Integrate gradually: Start with one or two principles to avoid overwhelm. Add more organically.
👉 Be patient: Building and living by principles takes time.
👉 Celebrate successes: Acknowledge when you follow your principles. It builds motivation and reinforces the behavior.
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Clear principles help you live your values every day. Choose a few, test them, and refine them as you grow. They become a steady guide for how you act and make decisions.
References
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