Articulating a value in words doesn't necessarily help you live it better. But you still might want to write out a value you have for various reasons, including:
Each of these has different requirements, in terms of copy. But there are some things to keep in mind that will help with all four.
Before you start, make sure the idea in your mind is a real value.
Values are often discovered by: admiring someone, appreciating something in nature or human life, having difficult emotions (especially doubt, confusion, helplessness, shame, embarrassment, regret, grief) and realizing a new way you wanted to live or something that was newly important to you, or experimenting with how you try to act in a certain kind of situation.
In particular, make sure it's not a feeling or experience, a goal, or an internalized norm.
An articulated value should have three parts. (1) The Context, (2) The Attentional Policy, and (3) The Source of Meaning.
The most common error is vagueness. Values are precise enough to guide you in specific concrete situations that you face in life.