15 Questions Legacy Storytelling Consultants Ask to Discover Values

Legacy storytelling is a powerful way to unearth the values that shape our lives and influence future generations. Legacy storytelling consultants often utilize a series of carefully crafted questions to help individuals articulate their values and the stories that surround them. In this post, we’ll explore fifteen insightful questions that these consultants use to guide the storytelling process and uncover the essence of what truly matters.

A jar evokes ideas of preservation, containment, essence, and meaning — all of which align with the process of uncovering someone’s core values.

1. What Moments Defined Your Life?

This question encourages introspection and helps identify pivotal experiences that have shaped your beliefs and values.

When you think back on your life, what instances stand out as truly defining? These moments can be both big and small; perhaps it was a graduation, a heartfelt conversation, or even a quiet moment of realization. By pinpointing these events, you allow yourself to connect deeper with your core values.

It’s important to recognize the emotions tied to these moments as well. Feelings of joy, sadness, or confusion can provide additional insights into what matters most to you. What common threads do you see in those feelings? These threads are often where your true values lie.

2. Who Were Your Role Models?

Reflecting on the people who influenced you offers insights into the values you admire and aspire to.

Consider those who have inspired you throughout your life. Was it a parent, teacher, or perhaps a public figure? Each of these role models often embodies traits and values that resonate with you, such as integrity, compassion, or perseverance.

By identifying these attributes, you not only celebrate those individuals but also articulate the qualities you wish to cultivate within yourself. This connection is paramount because your values often reflect those you hold in high regard.

3. What Life Lessons Have You Learned?

Identifying the lessons learned from both successes and failures can reveal core values and guiding principles.

Life is a rich tapestry of experiences, each offering a lesson. Have you ever failed at something, only to realize it showcased your resilience? Or maybe a success taught you the value of hard work and dedication. Whatever the case, these lessons are crucial in defining who you are.

Reflecting on these experiences allows you to see patterns in your growth. They not only shape personal narratives but also create lessons that become the fabric of your value system, guiding your decisions and actions.

4. What Do You Want to Be Remembered For?

This question helps in understanding the legacy you wish to leave behind and the values you want to highlight.

Imagine the stories others would tell about you. Would they speak of your kindness, your passion for justice, or your unwavering integrity? The desire to be remembered for certain traits can spotlight your most cherished values.

This reflection isn't just about how you want others to perceive you; it’s about the impact you wish to make. Understanding this can act as a guiding compass, helping you align your actions with your values in the present, ultimately shaping the impression you leave behind.

5. What Values Were Instilled in You?

Exploring the values taught by family, culture, or community can shed light on the foundation of your personal beliefs.

We are often products of our environments. Consider what values your family emphasized as you grew up. Were honesty and generosity prevalent in your household? How did cultural norms and community practices shape your worldview? Understanding these influences allows you to appreciate the roots of your values.

Moreover, as you sift through these influences, it can lead to questions about which values you want to carry forward and which ones may need re-evaluation. This exploration of your legacy is a critical step towards evaluating whether you want to perpetuate these values or redefine them.

6. What Challenges Have You Overcome?

Discussing challenges reveals resilience and strength, showcasing the values that helped you persevere.

Everyone faces obstacles, but how one chooses to navigate those challenges varies dramatically from person to person. Reflecting on your journey through hardships can uncover not just the values but also the inner strengths that allowed you to overcome.

Moreover, think about what these experiences taught you. Did a particular challenge enhance your appreciation for empathy or patience? Diving into these reflections can illuminate the values you hold dear and the traits you wish to cultivate further.

7. What Achievements Are You Proud Of?

Highlighting personal achievements can demonstrate the values that motivated you to reach your goals.

What accomplishments resonate most with your sense of fulfillment? It might be related to your career, personal life, or even community involvement. Each achievement reflects not just a desire for success but often embodies the values that propelled you to that success.

For instance, if you take pride in volunteering, it may signal a deep value for community service. Recognizing these connections can help strengthen your understanding of what drives you, guiding your future endeavors.

8. What Causes Are You Passionate About?

Understanding the causes that matter to you can illustrate deeper values related to community, justice, or charity.

Passions often point directly to our values. What issues ignite a fire within you? Whether it’s environmental conservation, education equity, or social justice, these causes often symbolize your core beliefs.

The energy and time you invest in these causes reflect what you stand for, and exploring these passions can deepen your connection to your values, providing insight into how you wish to leave your mark on the world.

9. What Traditions Do You Cherish?

Traditions often carry underlying values and can provide a sense of continuity and belonging in storytelling.

Reflecting on your cherished traditions offers a window into values that resonate with you. It may be family gatherings during holidays or perhaps practices passed down through generations. Each tradition is a story itself, holding lessons and values that shape your identity.

Why do these traditions matter? What feelings do they evoke? By unpacking these layers, you can discover rich insights about your values and what sustains your sense of belonging and purpose.

10. How Do You Define Success?

Your definition of success can reveal much about your values and what you prioritize in life.

Success is a deeply personal concept. For some, it’s tied to wealth or professional accolades, while for others, it may reflect happiness, relationships, or making a difference. Understanding your unique definition helps clarify what truly matters to you.

As you reflect on how you define success, consider the values that guide this definition. Are they rooted in ambition, love, contribution, or something else? These reflections can help align your actions with your values, allowing for more intentional living.

11. What Characteristics Do You Value in Others?

This question highlights the traits you respect and can help guide the development of your own values.

Look around you. Who do you admire? Is it a friend’s loyalty, a colleague’s creativity, or perhaps a stranger’s kindness? The characteristics we admire often stem from the values we hold close to our hearts.

By identifying these traits, you start to discern what you aspire to cultivate in yourself. This exercise is a powerful reminder that growth is possible, and it can guide you on a path toward deeper value alignment in your own life.

12. What Memories Bring You Joy?

Reflecting on joyful memories can uncover values associated with happiness, love, and connection.

What moments make you smile just thinking about them? This might include special occasions with loved ones or simple everyday instances that made you feel alive. Joyful memories often highlight the values that are most significant to you.

As you explore these delightful recollections, think about what they represent in terms of values—whether it's togetherness, appreciation, or adventure. Understanding the roots of your treasure trove of joy can illuminate significant aspects of your value system and guide you in seeking more of what makes you happy.

13. What Fears Have You Faced?

Confronting fears often leads to important realizations about authenticity and resilience in one's narrative.

Fears can shape our stories in profound ways. By identifying what you’ve stood up to, you can shine a light on the values that guided you through those challenging times. Perhaps it was a fear of failure that propelled you toward courage or doubt about your abilities that turned into determination.

Exploring these fears can also reveal the values you want to cultivate further. How did these experiences shape your understanding of bravery, growth, or vulnerability? Embracing this exploration can empower you to live more authentically.

14. What Is Your Vision for the Future?

Articulating a vision can help align your values with your aspirations, creating a roadmap for your legacy.

As you look ahead, what do you envision for yourself? Consider your personal and professional aspirations, and how these relate to your values. A clear vision not only drives motivation but can illuminate the values you prioritize for fulfillment.

This vision acts as a guiding star, helping you make choices that are in alignment with your core values. Whether it's paving a career path that allows for creativity or nurturing relationships that foster love, clarity about your future vision can enhance your current journey.

15. How Do You Want to Influence Others?

Understanding your desire to influence reflects your core values and the impact you wish to have on the world.

Consider the legacies you admire; how do you wish to impact others similarly? Whether it’s through mentorship, storytelling, or simply sharing kindness, the desire to influence often emerges from deeply rooted values.

By reflecting on how you want to inspire others, you clarify your intentions and the values guiding those intentions. Recognizing this connection can empower you to take actions that resonate with what you truly want to achieve in your lifetime.