---
title: "Naming and Ranking Your Own Values"
description: "Write down the handful of things you actually care about, then force a ranking by testing them against a situation where two of them cannot both win. The ranking is the useful part, not the list."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/naming-and-ranking-your-own-values-mt_SRNX36_g65
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/naming-and-ranking-your-own-values-mt_SRNX36_g65.md
retrieved: 2026-09-12
---

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# Naming and Ranking Your Own Values

Write down the handful of things you actually care about, then force a ranking by testing them against a situation where two of them cannot both win. The ranking is the useful part, not the list.

Subject: Personal & Social Development · Area: Self-Awareness · Ages 14 to 15
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/naming-and-ranking-your-own-values-mt_SRNX36_g65

## Ready when they can

- List five values in their own words and give a real example of each from the past year
- Take a situation where two of their values pull against each other (loyalty to a friend against telling the truth) and say which one wins for them, with a reason
- Point at a past choice that went against their stated ranking and say what that tells them about the ranking

## Lesson: Rank what you actually care about

Write the handful of things you care about in your own words. Then attach a real example from your past year to each, since a value without an example is only a slogan.

**Example.** Take loyalty to a friend pulling against telling the truth. Say which one wins for you and give the reason, since the ranking is the useful part, not the list.

Now hunt for a past choice that broke your stated ranking. Ask what that tells you: either the ranking needs fixing or that value was never truly yours.

**Tip.** Keep it to about five values. More than that and every conflict ends in a tie, which teaches nothing.

**Recap.** List your values with real examples, force them to fight, and let the winner order stand.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Ethical Frameworks and Moral Reasoning](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/ethical-frameworks-and-moral-reasoning-mt_LPYPuSaxv_)
- [Emotional Intelligence](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/emotional-intelligence-mt_mydcMoa8gN)
- [My Strengths and How I Grow](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/my-strengths-and-how-i-grow-mt_UDdTHnxv4Q)

## Opens up

- [Character: The Kind of Person You Are Becoming](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/character-the-kind-of-person-you-are-becoming-mt_7GCNpcZGku)
- [Setting a Boundary and Holding It](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/setting-a-boundary-and-holding-it-mt_JpJ4qi-SP8)
- [Choosing What Comes Next](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/choosing-what-comes-next-mt_kDhdTK2H9s)