Values Clarification Cube

Title: Values Clarification Cube
Materials/Procedure:
1. I begin this directive with a conversation about values. The concept of values can be a tricky one, and pinning down the values that provide our lives with direction and meaning can be difficult. Here are some talking points that seem to be helpful. Most of these points are taken from the work of Russ Harris in his book ACT Made Simple.

• Think of values as "chosen life directions," or a compass that guides you, gives you direction, and keeps you on track to a life filled with meaning and purpose.
• "Values are our heart's deepest desires for the way we want to interact with the world, other people, and ourselves. They're what we want to stand for in life, how we want to behave, what sort of person we want to be, what sort of strengths and qualities we want to develop."
• Values are more about who you are and how you want to show up in this world rather than what you want accomplish.

2. Ask student/client to look at a list of values and identify his or her most important values. There seem to be an infinitesimal number variety of Values lists around. In my office I have 3 a student can choose to use ranging from minimal choices to a list 400! Some students are overwhelmed at the thought of so many choices, while others prefer to take a very detailed approach. Here is a picture of the list students usually choose.

3. Print copies of a cube template, such as this one that found on a kid's crafting website called First Palette. Cube Template I find it helpful to print several copies at a time for future use and use white 8.5"x11" cardstock.

 

4. Different students have approached the next step of this directive in different ways, and I always encourage modifying the directive to make it feel most interesting and inspiring to that particular person. I usually use my own cube as an example to make the objective more clear. On my cube, each side represents a value that I'm trying to grow in my life. And then there is one side that represents the values that I hold that are, in most circumstances, very natural for me-- values that make me who I am, and that I couldn't really get rid of even if I tried. It's nice to have a space for these values to land.
So, the student will cut out the cube template, and add words images, lines, shapes, and color to concretize the value that is being represented. I usually have scissors, glue, markers, colored pencils, stamps, stickers, and a box of small scraps available.
This creative part of the process really helps the person  feel the value. It becomes more than just a word... suddenly it has added symbolism, meaning, and energy.
After the student is finished, he or she can fold the cube on the lines provides by the template, add glue to the little flaps, and put it all together.  It's completed form may look something like this!

Rationale: When we are clear on our values-- what brings our lives meaning and purpose, it can give us the oomph we need to make difficult decision, change long-lived habits, and try on new behaviors. And having a creative, visual representation of these identified values, is an on-going inspiration -- a reminder of what matters SO MUCH that we will take risks and wade through uncomfortable, uncertain waters just to walk a little closer...

Adaptations: If you want to encourage a deeper exploration of potential obstacles that may surface when trying to live in alignment with identified values, you can address those obstacles on the inside of the box before folding and adding glue. You can also include on your cube ways in which you plan to address the obstacles. For example, one side of my cube says, "Gratitude." In smaller writing, I wrote, "daily practice," and "accessible notebook that I love-- record imperfectly and spontaneously." These notes-to-self are a response to "Threats to Gratitude," which for me include getting out of the habit/practice and lack of effort.

Reflection: I made my first values cube on the porch of a beautiful retreat center in Indianapolis with my dear friend, Trish. The process was enjoyable and engaging, and when I was finished, I felt like I had a much clearer understanding of what I'm doing in life, and why I'm doing it.
So many of my students come to my office seeking that clarity, and this Values Cube can be a helpful tool to move in that direction.