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Frequently Asked Questions

Find instant answers to the most common questions our customers ask about features, pricing, account management, and troubleshooting, organized by topic for easy browsing.

What is the Becoming You Method?

The Becoming You Method is a behavioral science framework for life design and decision-making. It helps you identify your Authentic Values, Natural Aptitudes, and Economically Viable Interests (EVIs) — then integrate them into an Area of Transcendence, where choices become both authentic and sustainable. In short: it's a deliberate system for living and deciding with purpose.

How is this different from other personality tests or career quizzes?

Most tools describe you — they don't tell you how to decide. Personality tests (like MBTI or Big Five) measure traits, but traits aren't the same as values or aptitudes. Career quizzes often ignore values and economic realities. The Becoming You Method integrates all three dimensions — values × aptitudes × viability — so your choices aren't just descriptive, but actionable, durable, and true.

What validates the work of Becoming You Labs?

Our framework draws on decades of research in psychology, decision theory, and economics — from Schwartz's values theory to Csikszentmihalyi's research on flow to Holland's vocational models. All assessments are validated against APA standards, with ongoing studies tracking predictive validity (e.g., persistence, satisfaction, reduced regret). Beyond the research, our tools have been used thousands of times across diverse settings, consistently generating thousands of positive reactions and measurable impact.

Who created this framework?

The method was developed by Suzy Welch, PhD, a professor on the faculty of the NYU Stern School of Business, and a three-time New York Times best-selling author. It draws on 15+ years of research, teaching, and C-Suite advisory. It combines tested tools, empirical studies, and field validation across students, executives, and organizations.

What do you mean by Values, Aptitudes, and Economically Viable Interests (EVIs)?

  • Values: Your foundational and enduring beliefs about how to live, work, and interact with others.
  • Aptitudes: Your innate and most defining cognitive and emotional propensities.
  • EVIs: The domains of work and life that both energize you and present as sustainable in a changing economy.

Together, these three pillars form the backbone of purpose-driven decision-making.

What is an "Area of Transcendence"?

It's the purpose-filled territory where your values, aptitudes, and EVIs overlap. In this zone, your decisions are:

  • Authentic (true to your values)
  • Competent (leveraging your aptitudes)
  • Viable (aligned with real-world opportunity)

This is where clarity turns into conviction.

Do I need to take all the assessments to do the Becoming You Method, or can I start with just one?

You can start anywhere, but the full power comes from integration. Many people begin with the Values Bridge to clarify their values, then add Aptitudes and EVIs. Each layer adds depth until your Area of Transcendence becomes visible.

How long does the process take?

It can be a single afternoon to gain clarity — or a lifelong practice. Our core assessments take 10-30 minutes each. But the Becoming You Method is designed to be revisited at every inflection point: career moves, job pivots, life transitions, leadership challenges.

Who is the Becoming You method for — individuals, providers, or organizations?

All of the above. Individuals use it to clarify life direction. Coaches and therapists use it to deepen and enhance client outcomes. Teams and enterprises use it to build alignment, resilience, and shared purpose.

I already know my values — why would I still need Becoming You?

Values are complicated. In fact, research shows that nearly 80% of adults confuse values with traits or virtues. Further, even when we think we know our values, they're often vague (“family,” “integrity”) and unprioritized. The Values Bridge helps you name, rank, and reconcile each of your values with your actual life.

Can couples, families, or groups use Becoming You together?

Absolutely. We've seen many families successfully use the Becoming You Methodology to resolve tensions, navigate trade-offs, and align on roadmaps to the future. The process is designed to scale seamlessly from the personal to the collective.

Can coaches, educators, or advisors use the Becoming You Method and its tools with their clients?

They can, and many do. Becoming You Labs offers certifications and facilitator guides so providers can integrate our tools into their practice, adding rigor and scalability to their work.

What happens after I complete an assessment — do I get actionable results?

Yes. You'll receive a personalized profile highlighting your values DNA, aptitude map, and EVI radar. Each report includes trade-off analysis and next step decision guides — practical tools for acting on your insights.

What if my results surprise me or don't feel right?

While uncommon, it can happen. But sometimes we need to move out of our comfort zone to grow. Using the Becoming You Method, many people discover blind spots or hidden motivations. The process is designed for reflection and iteration, not one-off labeling. Surprise is often the first step toward alignment.

How do I know the Becoming You Method isn't just another self-help gimmick?

Fair question. And one we are happy to answer, because Becoming You is not a quick fix. It's designed to be repeatable, research-based, and antifragile. It's a framework you can use again and again, across decades, as life and the world change.

Do you believe everyone has a purpose?

Yes — but purpose rarely dawns on us by accident or appears by chance. Everyone has a unique configuration of values, aptitudes, and interests; these data sets usually need to be excavated, understood, and then synthesized.

Is the Becoming You Method about finding happiness?

The Becoming You Method is about discovering your authentic alignment — enabling you to build a life that feels both true and sustainable. Such an alignment often produces happiness and success, but not always. Life is often complicated, because people are. Dr. Welch believes it is overreaching to promise happiness, but we are all overjoyed for those who find it, and many do with the Becoming You Method.

Does the Becoming You Method work across different ages and life stages?

Yes. We've seen 18-year-olds use it to choose majors and 80-year-olds use it to reimagine retirement. Because values, aptitudes and EVIs evolve, the process can — and should — be revisited throughout life.

What evidence shows the Becoming You Method actually helps people make better decisions?

Thousands of people — in classrooms and beyond — have used the Becoming You Method with immediate and lasting impact. Participants who align choices with their values, aptitudes, and EVIs report less regret, more persistence, and greater follow-through. Ongoing longitudinal research is tracking outcomes over 12-36 months.

How do I get started?

We strongly recommend that you begin with the Values Bridge — our foundational assessment — and explore from there. Whether through self-guided tools, workshops, or certified coaches, the Becoming You journey starts with one simple step: clarifying what truly matters to you.