Life Values Inventory: Discover Your Core Character Strengths

Understanding your core values isn't just helpful—it's transformative. A life values inventory serves as your personal compass, guiding decisions and revealing what truly drives you. When you understand your fundamental character strengths, you unlock the potential for more meaningful relationships, career satisfaction, and personal fulfillment.

What Makes This Life Values Inventory Different

Unlike generic personality tests, our life values inventory is grounded in positive psychology research. The VIA Character Strengths Survey identifies your unique combination of character strengths from 24 scientifically validated traits. This isn't about labeling you—it's about empowering you with self-knowledge that translates into real-world benefits.

Research from the National Center for Biotechnology Information demonstrates that individuals who understand and utilize their character strengths experience higher levels of life satisfaction and resilience. This comprehensive assessment goes beyond surface-level traits to examine the values that shape your worldview.

How the Assessment Works

  • Duration: 10-15 minutes of thoughtful reflection
  • Format: 120 carefully crafted questions designed to reveal your authentic values
  • Output: Personalized ranking of all 24 character strengths with detailed explanations
  • Accuracy: Based on over two decades of research by leading psychologists

Transform Your Understanding of Personal Values

Career Alignment

Identify work environments and roles that honor your core values, leading to greater job satisfaction and professional success.

Relationship Enhancement

Understand how your values interact with others, improving communication and deepening connections with family, friends, and colleagues.

Decision-Making Clarity

Use your character strengths as a decision-making framework, ensuring choices align with your authentic self.

Personal Growth

Recognize areas for development while celebrating your natural talents and strongest character traits.

Research published by the National Institutes of Health has validated these character strengths across cultures and age groups, making this life values inventory universally applicable. Whether you're navigating career transitions, relationship challenges, or personal growth goals, understanding your core values provides the foundation for authentic living.

Real Results from Real People

"This life values inventory completely changed how I approach my career. Understanding that 'Love of Learning' was my top strength helped me pivot to a role in training and development. I've never been happier at work."
— Sarah M., Human Resources Director
"As someone who struggled with decision-making, having a clear picture of my character strengths has been invaluable. The assessment results became my personal roadmap for authentic choices."
— Michael T., Entrepreneur
"I took this with my entire team. Understanding each other's core values has transformed how we collaborate and assign projects. It's like having a user manual for effective teamwork."
— Jennifer L., Project Manager

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is this life values inventory compared to other assessments?
This assessment is based on the VIA Survey, which has been scientifically validated across millions of participants worldwide. Unlike many personality tests, the VIA Character Strengths Survey focuses specifically on positive traits and values, providing a more constructive framework for personal development.
Can my character strengths change over time?
While your core character strengths tend to remain relatively stable, their expression and development can evolve. Life experiences, intentional practice, and personal growth can influence how prominently certain strengths manifest in your daily life.
How should I use my results practically?
Your results provide a framework for making values-aligned decisions. Consider your top strengths when evaluating career opportunities, setting personal goals, or addressing challenges. The key is integrating this self-knowledge into your daily choices and long-term planning.
Is this assessment suitable for team or organizational use?
Absolutely. Many organizations use character strengths assessments to improve team dynamics, enhance leadership development, and create more engaging work environments. Understanding the diverse strengths within a team enables better collaboration and role alignment.

Explore Related Resources

This life values inventory connects to broader themes of personal development and self-discovery. For additional insights into character development, explore our analysis of powerful character traits in historical leaders, which demonstrates how character strengths translate into real-world impact.

If you're specifically interested in career applications, our guide on using personality tests for career discovery provides practical strategies for applying your character strengths in professional settings.

You might also find value in our core values quiz, which complements this character strengths assessment by examining your fundamental beliefs and priorities from a different angle.

Your Next Steps Toward Authentic Living

Taking a life values inventory is just the beginning of a deeper journey toward self-understanding and authentic living. Once you complete the assessment, you'll have concrete insights into what drives you, what energizes you, and what values guide your best decisions.

Consider sharing your results with trusted friends, family members, or colleagues. Often, others can provide valuable perspectives on how your character strengths manifest in your interactions and contributions. This external validation can deepen your understanding and reveal blind spots in your self-perception.

Remember that character strengths aren't fixed labels—they're tools for growth. Use your results as a starting point for intentional development, seeking opportunities to apply your top strengths while gradually developing areas that support your goals and values.

For access to our complete collection of personality assessments and personal development tools, visit our main assessment library, where you can explore various approaches to self-discovery and personal growth.