Values - A DBT Skill

In DBT, “Values” are a key part of helping you figure out what’s most important in your life and how to spend your time in ways that truly matter. Values aren’t just about achieving something specific or reaching a goal—they’re more like guiding principles for how you want to live each day. They represent your highest aspirations and help give your life direction and purpose, but they don’t have an endpoint.

Unlike goals, which are things you accomplish and check off, values are more about how you show up in your life consistently. For example, you might focus on values like kindness, integrity, or perseverance, but there’s never a moment when you’re “done” with those. Instead, they stay central to how you navigate the world.

It’s also helpful to remember that values are different from moral codes. While moral codes focus on what’s considered wrong or to be avoided, “Values” center around how you want to be and what’s most important to you. Your values guide you toward living in a way that feels true to yourself and aligned with your goals.

Some common examples of values include things like fairness, generosity, respect, or collaboration. Being clear about your values and setting goals that help you work toward them keeps you grounded and connected to what matters most. By practicing the “Values DBT Skill,” you can make sure your choices and actions reflect the person you truly want to be, leading to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.