You've got to take this test!

We've all had those moments—talking with a friend or family member who feels stuck, frustrated, or just a little off-track. Maybe it's work stress, relationship confusion, or that nagging feeling of "I don't know what I'm doing with my life." You listen, you empathize, and you wish you had the magic words to help them see themselves more clearly.

That was me recently, talking to my cousin Jake over coffee. He was venting about his job—again. "It's not that I hate it," he said. "It's just... I don't know if it's really me."

I smiled and said, "Okay, this is going to sound random, but... have you ever heard of the Core Values Index?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like something from a leadership seminar."

"Sort of," I laughed. "But it's not one of those gimmicky personality quizzes. It's actually this short assessment that shows what truly drives you—like, what you're wired to do. It's called the CVI, and it seriously changed how I see myself and what I'm good at."

That's when the real conversation began.

What Makes the CVI Different?

I explained to Jake that the Core Values Index™ isn't like Myers-Briggs or the Enneagram, which often focus on behavior or emotions that can shift over time. The CVI goes deeper. It measures the core values that don't change—those instinctive energies that influence how we make decisions, communicate, solve problems, and contribute to the world.

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There are four core value energies and each person has a particular ratio of them within their personality:

• Builders, who are action-oriented and get things done.
• Merchants, who are all about connection, inspiration, and relationships.
• Innovators, who are the deep thinkers and creative problem-solvers.
• Bankers, who value knowledge, details, and accuracy.

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Most people have a dominant and a secondary value, and that combination shapes their natural strengths. I told Jake, "When I found out I'm a Merchant/Innovator, it just clicked. It explained why I'm so passionate about ideas and people, and why spreadsheets make me want to scream."

He laughed. "So this test told you you're bad with numbers?"

"Not bad, just not wired for it. And that's the thing—it doesn't label you or limit you. It helps you understand what fuels you and how you can contribute without burning out or pretending to be someone you're not."

Why I Think Everyone Should Take It

I told Jake the CVI takes about ten minutes to complete, and the results are surprisingly spot-on. "It helped me realize why I'd loved some jobs and hated others. Why certain conversations give me energy and others drain me. It even helped me understand my relationships better—like why my partner and I sometimes clash and how to communicate in a way that actually connects."

"The CVI helped me realize why I'd loved some jobs and hated others."

Jake looked intrigued. "Okay, but what if it tells me I'm in the wrong job?"

"Then that's actually great news," I said. "Because wouldn't you want to know? If you're going to spend a third of your life working, wouldn't you rather do something that plays to your strengths instead of fighting against them every day?"

I told him it's not always about quitting your job or making huge changes. Sometimes it's just about adjusting your role, advocating for different responsibilities, or shifting how you work with others. But that insight starts with knowing what your core values are.

The CVI Is Not Just About Work

One thing I really wanted Jake to understand was that the CVI isn't only helpful for career stuff. It can help in your personal life too. When you know your own values—and understand someone else's—you communicate better. You get why your Banker spouse needs details, or why your Innovator friend always plays devil's advocate. You stop taking things personally and start seeing the value in different perspectives.

I said, "It's like getting a user manual for yourself—and for the people you care about."

The Invitation

By the end of our chat, Jake was pulling out his phone and asking for the link. "Alright, I'm curious now. Let's see what this thing says about me."

→ You can take the CVI at erep.com/core-values-index/

That's usually how it goes. Once people hear about how the CVI helps them understand themselves and others on a deeper level, they're in. It's not about labeling anyone—it's about liberating them to live and work in alignment with who they really are.

So if you have someone in your life who's feeling lost, burnt out, or just trying to figure things out, don't push them. Just talk. Share your experience. Let them see how the Core Values Index gave you clarity, and invite them to explore it for themselves.

Sometimes, one conversation and a 10-minute assessment is all it takes to spark a whole new path.

Core Values Index™ and CVI™ are trademarks of Taylor Protocols, Inc.