3. Pick out your anchors.

Read through this list of the 50 most common anchors slowly and thoughtfully. Consider carefully if each one is something that you value highly when it comes to how you want to live your life.

Accountability
Achievement
Adaptability
Adventure
Altruism
Assertiveness
Authenticity
Boldness
Community
Compassion
Courage
Creativity
Curiosity
Dependability
Discipline
Empathy
Fairness
Faith
Family
Freedom
Fun
Flexibility
Generosity
Gratitude
Growth
Hard work
Honesty
Independence
Integrity
Kindness
Leadership
Love
Loyalty
Optimism
Perseverance
Reputation
Respect
Responsibility
Security
Selflessness

Ideally, you should have three anchors. Some people might have more, and others less, but three is generally the average.

4. Order your anchors.

Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few anchors, rank them in order of which is most important to you. This can be difficult, but it will help you understand your priorities.

5. SIT with it.

The last step is to let your anchors SIT for a while. SIT stands for the three elements that you need to let any idea percolate in your mind: Space (either mental or physical), Inputs (from other people) and Time (however long it takes).

Share your core values with someone who knows you well, such as your partner, family, close friend or colleague. Do they agree with you? Are there any that don’t sit well with them? Your anchors should instantly resonate with you and anyone who knows you well.

To complete this exercise, write out the three to five anchors. By knowing what they are, you’re one step closer to living a life that aligns with exactly who you are.

Edited extract from Work Backwards: The Revolutionary Method To Work Smarter And Live Better by Tim Duggan (£19.99, Wiley), out now

Understanding your personal ‘anchors’ can help you build a satisfied life – here’s how to find yours