The Barrett model
What are values?
Values describe our personal motivations that determine how we live and how we feel. When we live according to our values,
consistently and repeatedly over time, we experience a sense of satisfaction. When we lead our lives according to our values, we experience balance, both internally – how we feel – and externally – how we interact with our world. By identifying what we value and reflecting on how we actually live, we get a picture of where we may be out of balance.
- When we are out of balance, we may act in ways that are unhealthy and potentially don’t serve ourselves or others.
- Values describe what motivates us in the present.
- Values also help us name our aspirations and intentions, which can help move us toward our life’s purpose or our inner-calling.
“Our values together with our beliefs influence our behaviors and inform our decisionmaking. They provide the energy and focus behind our aspirations and intentions”
Richard Barrett
Creator of the Barrett model
Values provide the motivation that determines how we live. When we live according to our values, we feel a sense of satisfaction because we are living in concert with our life’s purpose.
Examples
- If we value friendship, we make time in our lives to be with our friends and feel good because we have a sense of connection.
- If we value financial security, we strive to do work that gets us ahead financially and feel satisfaction because we are meeting our financial goals.
- If we value creativity, we might devote time to music or art and feel satisfied because we are expressing our innate gifts.
When we live according to our values, we experience internal and external balance. When our lives do not reflect our values, we feel out of balance.
Examples
- If we value health and make a commitment to regular exercise, we feel a sense of inner balance because we are supporting a healthy lifestyle.
- Conversely, if we make excuses rather than exercise, we may feel out of balance physically and perhaps become sick as a result.
- If we value commitment and uphold our promises to friends and family, we feel a sense of external balance because we are supporting healthy relationships.
- Conversely, if we do not uphold our commitments, we might feel a sense of guilt or shame because we are not doing what we say.
Values help us name what we aspire to in life and thereby help us move toward our life’s purpose.
Examples
- As a young, single person, we might have values around family, which would motivate us to find a partner with whom to build a family.
- As a middle-aged person who has fulfilled her values around family, we might have values around personal growth, which would lead us toward inner reflection, using tools such as psychotherapy and meditation.
- As a retired person, we might have values around community involvement, which would cause us to seek volunteer opportunities in our community.
Top Ten Values of More than 500,000 People
Which ranks as the top three?
Family – Humor/Fun – Caring
“What this suggests to me is how we relate to others is of paramount importance in our lives. Only when our relationship values are satisfied, do we focus on our individual values. Our most important personal need is to find meaning in our life by growing and learning, expressing our creativity, and enthusiastically committing ourselves to a purpose“
Richard Barrett
For examples of the beliefs and behaviors associated with the top three values of more than 500,000 people who have taken the PVA, expand each tab.
Belief
Having meaningful close relationships with others enriches my life.
Behavior
I commit to spending time with each of my family members on a regular basis, for example, family meal time and vacations.
Belief
Living with a passionate and an upbeat, fun-loving approach is the joy of life.
Behavior
I spend my time and money on things that make me smile, for example, playing a game of pickup basketball or dancing.
Belief
Showing concern and consideration lets people know they matter to me.
Behavior
When I encounter someone who is having a difficult time, even someone whom I don’t know, I am patient and kind, for example, opening the door for someone in a wheelchair or helping a sick friend.