How to Add Key Values in Essentialize

Emily Meer
Feb 28
3 min read

Updated: Mar 8

I’ve always been a list-making girlie—jotting down long to-do lists that I never quite completed. Even when I managed to check off most of the tasks, I wasn’t making real progress. I’d start with the easy wins, chasing that quick dopamine hit, but at the end of the day, it left me with a false sense of accomplishment. Sure, my laundry was folded, but my portfolio—the key to landing a better job—sat untouched. And so did my self-satisfaction.

That all changed when I stopped thinking in terms of endless tasks and started focusing on Key Values instead. A value is something that enriches your life, whether materially or spiritually. A Key Value is one that has the biggest impact on your overall well-being (click here to learn more about values). Instead of prioritizing what was easiest, I began focusing on what mattered most—like actually working toward a new job.

When we developed the Essentialize app, this became a core feature—helping people put their most important values front and center.

Now, every time I open the app, I see what truly fuels me. By tracking my engagement with these values, I end each day feeling productive, fulfilled, and in control of my life.

Months later, my portfolio is finally updated, and I’m actively building my online professional presence—strengthening my position to land the job I want.

You can start focusing on your Key Values, too! Just download the Essentialize app from the Play Store or App Store and follow these steps:

How to Add Key Values in the Essentialize App

1️⃣ Navigate to the Values Screen

Tap the values icon in the bottom navigation.

2️⃣ Tap the "Add" Button

Start the process by tapping the plus sign in the bottom right of the screen.

3️⃣ Add the Name of Your Value

Choose a value that represents something meaningful in your life, like a specific relationship or your job.

4️⃣ Select a Category

Next, select a category to which this value is related.

5️⃣ Define Your Motivation

Why does this value matter to you? How does it contribute to your happiness and wellbeing? Writing this down keeps you anchored in why you’re prioritizing it.

6️⃣ Add Up to Three Activities

To turn your value into action, add up to three specific activities you can do to engage with it. For example:

If your value is “Working out,” your activities might be:

🔵 Go for a 30-minute walk daily.

🔵 Go to the gym 3x a week.

🔵 Run a mile 2x a week.

7️⃣ Add an Attachment

If you have a resource that inspires or supports your value—such as a motivational photo or a website link—you can attach it here to keep everything in one place.

8️⃣ Mark It as a Key Value

Not every value is a Key Value—but the ones that impact your wellbeing the most should be. Select whether this value is key to your life right now so you can track your engagement with it in the app.

9️⃣ Select the Frequency

Decide how many days a week you want to engage with this value. We suggest starting with fewer days than you think and adding more days over time.

1️⃣0️⃣ Share Your Value with a Friend

Accountability can make a huge difference. Share your value with a friend to stay motivated and inspired together!

1️⃣1️⃣ Log Your Engagement

Whenever you take an action aligned with your value, log it in the app! Over time, you’ll see patterns in how what you’re doing impacts how you feel, helping you build a life you love!

Get Started Today!

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re busy but not making real progress, start tracking your Key Values in the Essentialize app. When you focus on what’s key to your life and wellbeing, everything else falls into place.

📲 Download the app now from the App Store or Play Store.