Assessing What You Want:

Values, Needs & Wants  

Review your 5 top values (from the Values worksheet). Remember, your values express what is important to you. They represent who you are: your “essence.” Our needs and wants are often expressions of our values. Explore your chosen values to see what they tell you about your needs and wants. Some examples follow:

Changing values into needs

    Values                                      Needs

1.Inner Peace                                                   I have a need for inner peace.

  In order to gain this

  I need time on my own

2. Security                                                         I have a need to feel secure.

  In order to gain this security,

  I need money in the bank.

3. Adventure                                                    I have a need for adventure in my life. In order to gain this sense of adventure, I need to go on overseas trips to exotic places.

4. Freedom                                                      I have a need in my life for freedom. In order to gain this freedom, I need to have a flexible time schedule that leaves me plenty of time to pursue other things.

5. Learning                                                       I have a need for learning. In order to fulfill this need for learning, I need books and learning opportunities (workshops, courses).

 Changing needs into wants

          Needs                                       Wants                           

1. I need time on my own.                                 I want my own room (sanctuary) where I can spend time on my own and where I will not be disturbed.

2. I need to have money in the bank.                 I want to design a savings plan.

3. I need to go to exotic places.                        I want to go to Vietnam.

4. I need plenty of flexible, free time.                 I want a job that allows plenty of freedom (my own business).

5. I need to learn.                                             I want to buy a new book each month and to attend interesting workshops or courses at least 4 times a year.

 Changing wants into goals 

I want my own sanctuary

 in the house. 

Goals

1. I will discuss with the family my use of the spare room.               
2. This weekend I will clean out the spare room put my old desk in it. 
3. I will go shopping for some new curtains next pay day. 
4. I will buy 2 pot plants and a nice lamp the following pay day. 
5. Next weekend I will set up the room with my personal things (angel cards, journal, pens, etc.) 

I want to design a savings plan. 

Goals                              

1. Find a budget form on the internet. 
2. Gather all old bills from last year. 
3. Write a budget with John. 
4. Decide how much we can save each payday. 
5. Open a new savings account and arrange a direct debit for savings.   

Assess the values underlying your wants

This is another way to assess your needs and wants.

In order to understand why you want certain things in your life, explore what needs and values are expressed by a want you have.

 Wants                                                   Values

1. I want a relationship                                      1. I need companionship and love. One of my values is love.

2. I want a convertible Astra!                            2. I need a car that feels fun to drive. One of my values is excitement.

3. I want to learn to paint.                                 3. I need to express myself creatively. One of my values is creativity.

4. I want to do meditation.                                4. I need to be connected to my inner self. One of my values is inner peace.

5. I want a baby.                                              5. I need to be able to give my love and nurturing to a child. One of my values is love. I also value family.

Now, you try it! Follow the above example and write about what it is that you want and need, based on your values. Set goals and ask for what you want and need, knowing that this is your expression in this world and you have a right (or a deep inner need) to express who you are. If you have trouble   Asking For What You Want, see the worksheet on that topic.