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Overview
As we age, life experiences, shifting roles, and changing health can all influence what matters most to us. Taking time to explore and clarify your personal values and priorities can help you make decisions that align with what you care about most—whether it’s your health, relationships, independence, or sense of purpose.
This lesson will help you identify your current top values and prioritize them in ways that support more intentional and satisfying choices as you move forward.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:
✅ Define what values are and why they matter in later life.
✅ Reflect on how personal priorities may have shifted over time.
✅ Identify their top 3 personal values or life priorities.
✅ Understand how these priorities can guide future decisions and actions.
Part 1: What Are Personal Values?
Definition:
Personal values are the core beliefs and principles that guide our behavior, decisions, and sense of purpose. They represent what matters most to us.
Examples of Common Values:
- Family and Relationships
- Health and Well-being
- Independence and Autonomy
- Spirituality or Faith
- Lifelong Learning
- Service to Others
- Adventure and New Experiences
- Financial Security
- Creativity or Hobbies
Discussion Prompt:
How do you think your values have changed (or stayed the same) over the years?
Part 2: Recognizing Changing Priorities with Age
As we grow older, it’s natural for priorities to shift:
| Earlier in Life | Later in Life |
|---|---|
| Career growth | Health maintenance |
| Building a family | Time with grandchildren |
| Financial accumulation | Simplifying life |
| Adventure and risk | Comfort and safety |
| Social circles | Deepening select relationships |
Reflection Exercise:
Think back 20 years. What were your top 3 priorities then?
Now, what feels most important today?
Part 3: Your Current Top 3 Priorities (The “Three Things” Exercise)
Instructions:
- Write down the three things that matter most to you right now.
(No overthinking—just first instincts.) - For each one, answer:
- Why is this important to me?
- How does this show up in my daily life?
- Am I giving this priority the attention it deserves?
Example:
| Priority | Why It Matters | How It Shows Up | Am I Aligned? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health | I want energy to enjoy life and avoid preventable illness. | I walk 4 days a week and focus on healthy eating. | Mostly, but I could schedule overdue doctor visits. |
Part 4: Values-Based Decision-Making
When you know your priorities, it becomes easier to:
✅ Say “Yes” to things that align with your values.
✅ Say “No” to things that drain your time or energy.
✅ Plan for future decisions (healthcare, living arrangements, how to spend your time).
Scenario Exercise:
Imagine you’re asked to join a new volunteer committee.
- Does it align with your current top 3 priorities?
- Would saying “yes” enhance your well-being—or add stress?
Part 5: Small Steps Toward Living Your Priorities
Action Plan:
Pick one small action you can take this week that reflects one of your top values.
Examples:
- Call a loved one (Relationships)
- Sign up for a fitness class (Health)
- Declutter one drawer (Simplicity)
- Start a gratitude journal (Spirituality)
Closing Reflection:
“When you know what matters most, making decisions becomes simpler—not always easier, but clearer.”
Optional Take-Home Worksheet (click HERE to download and print)
Title: My Three Things: Personal Values and Priorities
- My top 3 values/priorities today
- Why each matters
- One small action I will take this week
- Notes for future reflection