Identifying Your Monkey’s-Worthiness

Duration: 5 minutes Materials: notebook, pen, quick decision-making

Instructions

This is the lightning-fast version of discovering what deserves your Monkey's Credits. This isn’t a replacement for the full version, more of a taster session before you commit more fully.

Rate each scenario immediately using your gut reaction on a scale of 1 to 5 using the Monkey's-Worthy Scale below, where:-

No overthinking allowed!

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The Top 10 Scenarios

Rate each scenario 1 to 5 based on how much it typically affects you:

1. Your colleague took credit for your idea at work Rating:
2. Someone unfollowed you on social media. Rating:
3. Your neighbour's music is slightly too loud Rating:
4. You made a small mistake in an important email Rating:
5. A friend posted holiday photos while you're stuck at home Rating:
6. Someone didn't reply to your text for 6 hours Rating:
7. You're running 10 minutes late to a casual meeting Rating:
8. Your house isn't as tidy as your friend's Instagram-perfect home Rating:
9. You said something slightly awkward in a conversation yesterday Rating:
10. Someone disagreed with your opinion in a group chat Rating:

Add up your total score:

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Instant Results:

35-50 Points: You're spending premium Monkey's Credits on situations that don't deserve them. Time for some serious Credit conservation.

25-34 Points: You're investing moderate energy in everyday dramas. Some Credit-saving strategies wA9ould help.

15-24 Points: You're relatively selective with your Monkey's Credits. A few tweaks could optimise your spending.

10-14 Points: You're naturally good at not giving Monkey's to unworthy situations. Well done!

Under 10 Points: You might be too detached - make sure you're still investing in what genuinely matters.

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Your 5-Minute Action Plan

Based on your score, pick ONE immediate change:

If you scored 35+:

• Choose the highest-rated scenario and commit to caring 50% less about it this week

If you scored 25-34:

• Identify your top 3 Credit-drains and set a boundary around one of them

If you scored 15-24:

• Pick one scenario and practice the "Will this matter in 5 years?" test

If you scored under 15:

• Consider if you need to invest MORE Monkey's Credits in meaningful relationships or goals

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Next Steps

This mini-assessment gives you a snapshot of your current Monkey's spending patterns.

Want to go deeper?

• Upgrade to either the Essential path or the Deep Dive Path, both use Exercise 1: (Full) The Official Monkey's-Worthy Assessment Tool.

Ready to move forward?

• Continue with Quick Win Path Exercise 2 (Sprint) to identify your core values in 5 minutes.

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The goal isn't to stop caring about everything - it's to spend your precious Monkey's Credits on what truly deserves them. This quick assessment is your first step toward becoming a more strategic investor in your own emotional well-being.

Congratulations - you've just completed your first Monkey's Revolution exercise in under 5 minutes!

I've done this one

Duration: 15-30 minutes Materials: a notebook or the Monkey’s Exercise book if you want to be fancy/lazy/organised, quiet space, favourite pen and obviously a cup of tea.

Instructions:

Rate each scenario on a scale of 1 to 5 using the Monkey's-Worthy Scale below, where:

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Part 1: Daily Life Scenarios

Social Media Situations:

1. Your ex just posted holiday photos with their new partner Rating:
2. Someone disagreed with your comment on Facebook Rating:
3. Your Instagram post got fewer likes than usual Rating:
4. A colleague didn't accept your LinkedIn request Rating:
5. Someone unfollowed you on Twitter Rating:

Work Scenarios:

1. The office ran out of your favourite tea bags Rating:
2. A colleague took credit for your idea Rating:
3. Someone used your special mug in the break room Rating:
4. The printer jammed right before your presentation Rating:
5. The lift's broken, and you're on the 6th floor Rating:

Home Life:

1. Your neighbour's hedge is 2 cm taller than regulation height Rating:
2. The recycling bin wasn't collected on the proper day Rating:
3. Someone parked slightly over your property line Rating:
4. The washing machine makes an odd noise, but still works Rating:
5. Your houseplant is looking a bit peaky Rating:

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Part 2: Future Concerns

Career Worries:

1. Whether your job will be replaced by AI Rating:
2. If you should have gone into a different profession Rating:
3. Whether you should ask for that promotion Rating:
4. If your colleagues actually like you Rating:
5. Whether your degree was worth the student debt Rating:

Life Goals:

1. Learning to make proper Yorkshire puddings Rating:
2. Achieving a native level in a foreign language Rating:
3. Running a marathon Rating:
4. Climbing a mountain Rating:
5. Starting your own business Rating:

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Part 3: Relationship Matters

Family Drama:

1. Your aunt's opinion on your life choices Rating:
2. Your cousin's political posts on Facebook Rating:
3. Whether you call your mum enough Rating:
4. If you should attend the family reunion Rating:
5. Your sister's passive-aggressive comments about your cooking Rating:

Friendship Frets:

1. Not being invited to a casual pub night Rating:
2. Your best friend's new friend Rating:
3. Group chat messages left unread Rating:
4. Birthday party attendance politics Rating:
5. Whether you're the funny one in the group Rating:

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Part 4: Random Life Niggles

Public Transport Predicaments:

1. Someone's eating crisps loudly on the train Rating:
2. The person next to you is reading over your shoulder Rating:
3. Someone's not moving down inside the carriage Rating:
4. The bus is running 3 minutes late Rating:
5. A tourist is standing on the wrong side of the escalator Rating:

Shopping Situations:

1. The self-checkout machine's judgmental tone Rating:
2. When they've moved everything around in Tesco Rating:
3. The person with 12 items in the 10 items or less queue Rating:
4. Your favourite biscuits are being discontinued Rating:
5. When the meal deal options have changed Rating:

Total:

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Scoring Guide:

Add up your total points for each section:

225-209 Points:
Individuals in this range are essentially running a Monkey's Credit deficit that would make even the most lenient bank manager wince. They spend excessive credits on daily interactions and minor situations, like someone frantically throwing pound coins at every street performer in London. These poor souls experience constant Monkey's-drainage from over-involvement in others' affairs, they're the ones who lie awake at 3 am worrying about whether their colleague's cousin's neighbour's dog looked a bit sad on their Instagram story. They maintain boundaries about as effectively as a paper umbrella in a hurricane, saying "yes" to every request with the enthusiasm of someone who hasn't yet realised they've double-booked themselves for the next three weekends. If you're in this category, you might find yourself mentally exhausted by Tuesday morning, with the rest of the week stretching before you like an emotional marathon you haven't trained for.

208-192 Points:
These people show strong Monkey's investment in most situations but maintain some selective judgment, rather like someone who carefully samples most dishes at a buffet but draws the line at the suspicious-looking seafood. While they care deeply about many things, from global warming to whether their friend got the right coffee order, they occasionally recognise when to step back, usually after they've already committed more Monkey's Credits than strictly necessary. They're the ones who will spend two hours helping a colleague with a presentation, but might eventually realise they can decline the invitation to their neighbour's budgie's birthday party. They're learning the art of selectivity, though they still tend to over-commit with the optimism of someone who thinks they can watch "just one episode" of their favourite show before bed.

191-175 Points:
This group demonstrates good judgment in Monkey's investment while maintaining healthy engagement, like savvy investors who know when to buy, sell, or hold their Monkey's Credits. They generally choose their battles wisely, getting appropriately worked up about important issues while letting minor irritations slide off like water from a duck's back. These individuals have perfected the craft of caring deeply about what matters, close relationships, meaningful work, and whether there's enough milk for tomorrow's tea, while developing the ability to shrug off life's minor annoyances, like someone pushing in the queue at Sainsbury's. They could still benefit from further refinement, occasionally getting caught up in office drama or spending too long choosing between nearly identical paint colours, but they're on the right track to Monkey's Credit prosperity.

174-158 Points:
These individuals show promising discretion in their Monkey's Credit spending, approaching Monkey's investments with the careful consideration of someone selecting a good bottle of wine for a dinner party. They've developed an admirable ability to let go of trivial concerns and can watch people load the dishwasher "incorrectly" without having a conniption. However, they might occasionally miss opportunities for meaningful connection, standing on the sidelines at social gatherings or holding back vulnerable thoughts that might deepen relationships. Their fear of Monkey's Credit depletion sometimes leads them to build walls where bridges would serve them better. Still, they've made impressive progress in not giving a monkey's about things that truly don't deserve their attention, like celebrity gossip or whether their socks perfectly match their outfit.

157-141 Points:
People in this range tend to hold back from Monkey's investment with the caution of someone who still has Christmas decorations in their original packaging, "to keep them nice." They're excellent at maintaining boundaries and rarely find themselves over-committed or emotionally exhausted. However, they potentially miss valuable experiences while protecting their Credits too strictly, hesitating to join group activities or develop deeper connections out of concern for their Monkey's Reserves. These individuals might skip the office Christmas party to avoid small talk, only to miss out on forming friendships that could bring genuine joy. They're like hikers who are so focused on conserving water that they never stop to enjoy the view, admirable in their self-protection but perhaps missing out on life's rich tapestry of connections and experiences.

140-124 Points:
This group maintains significant emotional distance, often prioritising self-protection over engagement to a degree that might limit personal growth. They've honed the art of not caring what others think, but sometimes take it to an extreme that borders on detachment. These are the people who can walk past a display of adorable puppies without blinking an eye or remain unmoved by a colleague's heartfelt retirement speech. While they rarely waste Monkey's Credits on trivial matters or social obligations, their strict conservation policy may prevent them from investing in experiences that could yield significant returns of joy, connection, and personal development. They're like someone who keeps all their money under the mattress instead of occasionally investing in memorable experiences, safe, but potentially missing out on valuable growth opportunities.

123-107 Points:
These individuals show notably low Monkey's investment across most situations, watching life unfold with the detached curiosity of someone observing fish in an aquarium. They've developed an impressive immunity to social pressure, peer expectations, and the normal anxieties that plague most people, but this comes at a cost. Their excessive detachment potentially limits their life experiences, keeping them on the periphery of social groups and preventing deep emotional connections. They're unlikely to lose sleep over awkward social interactions or workplace conflicts, but they might also fail to be moved by beautiful sunsets, touching moments, or genuine human connection. Life for these folks can be peaceful but potentially bland, like a perfectly made cup of tea that's been allowed to go cold, all the elements are there, but the warmth is missing.

106-90 Points:
People scoring in this range demonstrate extreme reluctance to spend Monkey's Credits, guarding them with the zeal of a dragon protecting its treasure hoard. They've elevated emotional detachment to an art form, potentially isolating themselves from meaningful connections and experiences in their quest to preserve their Credits. These individuals might decline invitations with the speed of someone refusing pamphlets on the high street, keep conversations superficial to avoid emotional entanglement, and maintain a distance from others that would make a cat seem clingy. While they're undoubtedly protected from the dramas, disappointments, and emotional messiness that come with human connection, they may find themselves wondering why life feels oddly empty despite their full Monkey's Credit account. They're like someone who's kept their favourite outfit pristine by never wearing it, perfectly preserved, but what's the point if it's never experienced?

89-73 Points:
People in this range exhibit emotional unavailability that goes beyond healthy boundaries. They invest minimally in situations, like bringing exactly one cheap bottle of wine to a dinner party, technically participating but contributing little. They've built high walls around their emotional resources, possibly due to past disappointments. These individuals maintain relationships at arm's length, keeping interactions superficial and responding to others' emotions with scripted reactions. While they might pride themselves on being "low-maintenance," beneath this facade often lies a fear of genuine connection. They've minimised their Monkey's Credit spending to the point of essentially closing their Monkey’s credit account, leaving them protected but potentially isolated.

72-0 Points:
Scoring below 72 suggests a concerning level of detachment resembling Monkey's hibernation. These individuals have withdrawn from meaningful engagement like a tortoise retreating into its shell. They approach interactions with extreme wariness, becoming adept at being physically present while emotionally absent. When others experience intense emotions, they observe with clinical detachment. This extreme withdrawal likely stems from significant emotional wounds that have convinced them engagement is dangerously costly. Their avoidance strategies have become so ingrained they may no longer recognise their own emotional needs or remember what a genuine connection feels like, similar to someone who's been living on emotional survival rations for so long they've forgotten the taste of a proper meal.

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The Reality Check Questions:

After scoring, ask yourself:

• Will this matter in 5 minutes?, … 5 hours?, … 5 days?, … 5 weeks?, …5 years?
• Does caring about this help someone else?, … Help you grow?, … Solve a problem?, … Make you happy?, … Actually change anything?
• Is this worth lost sleep?, … Missed opportunities?, … Strained relationships?, … monkey's credits?, … A good cup of tea?

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If you scored high in multiple sections, ask yourself:

• Would you care about this if no one else knew about it?
• Is this actually your monkey’s to give, or are you adopting strays?
• Could this energy be better spent elsewhere, like making a proper cup of tea?

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When you take a proper look at your ratings (perhaps over a nice cuppa), you'll start spotting patterns. These telling little insights reveal the difference between what genuinely gets your Monkey’s jumping and what you've just been conditioned to care about, rather like realising you don't actually enjoy Marmite, you've just been pretending all these years. You might notice you're tossing Monkey’s Credits about like confetti at areas of your life that deserve about as much attention as last week's newspaper, while the things truly worth your Monkey’s Credits are sitting there neglected, like the good teapot you keep saving for special occasions.

Keep this test handy and retake it when you're:

• Feeling overwhelmed
• Making a big decision
• Having an existential crisis
• Running out of tea

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Note: This test is best taken with a cup of tea and a biscuit (or several). Results may vary based on caffeine intake and biscuit quality.

Coffee is not an acceptable replacement, and any Monkey’s cult disciple found with such illicit contraband will be immediately removed from the cult. Consideration for rejoining will only be considered after a 30-day detox and a recorded posting of the shame you feel for using such uncivilised hot beverages on the social media site of the guru’s choosing.

I've done this one

Duration: 30-60 minutes Materials: Previous Chapter 2 exercise results, large paper/whiteboard, markers, quiet space

This exercise presents 20 real-life scenarios designed to help you uncover your core personal values. For each scenario, note your initial reaction, considering what feels right or wrong and why. Pay attention to your emotional response, it often reveals what truly matters to you.

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Instructions:

• Read each scenario carefully
• Write down your immediate gut reaction in the why section.
• Ask yourself: "What value or principle is driving my response?" I have suggested a few commonly associated with each topic, but if it brings to mind any other, these are just as acceptable. After all, this is about you, not me.
• Rate how strongly you feel about your choice (1 to 5) using the Monkey's-Worthy Scale below.

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Scenarios:

Career & Professional Life

1. The Ethical Dilemma

Your company is legally cutting corners on environmental regulations. The practice is technically legal but potentially harmful to the local community. You could report it, but might risk your job security.

• What matters more: environmental responsibility or job security?
• Related values: integrity, security, environmental consciousness, community welfare

2. The Promotion Choice

You're offered a significant promotion that would double your salary but require 60+ hour work weeks and frequent travel away from family.

• What matters more: career advancement or work-life balance?
• Related values: ambition, family, time, financial security

3. The Mentor's Request

Your mentor asks you to collaborate on a project, but it would mean withdrawing from a commitment you made to help a junior colleague.

• What matters more: loyalty to your mentor or keeping your word?
• Related values: loyalty, integrity, mentorship, commitment

4. The Innovation Dilemma

You develop a time-saving process at work. Do you share it with colleagues (benefiting the team but potentially reducing your unique value) or keep it to yourself?

• What matters more: personal advantage or collective success?
• Related values: collaboration, competition, community, individual achievement

Relationships & Social Life

5. The Friend's Secret

You discover your friend's partner is cheating. Your friend seems happy in blissful ignorance.

• What matters more: truth or preserving happiness?
• Related values: honesty, compassion, loyalty, peace

6. The Family Tradition

Your family has strong cultural traditions that conflict with your personal beliefs. They expect you to participate in an important ceremony.

• What matters more: personal authenticity or family harmony?
• Related values: tradition, authenticity, family, individuality

7. The Social Media Post

A friend posts something you find morally wrong. Speaking up might damage the friendship, but staying silent feels like tacit approval.

• What matters more: speaking the truth or maintaining harmony?
• Related values: courage, peace-keeping, justice, relationships

8. The Group Decision

Your friend group is planning an expensive vacation you can't comfortably afford. They're pressuring you to join.

• What matters more: financial responsibility or social inclusion?
• Related values: prudence, belonging, independence, financial security

Personal Growth & Life Choices

9. The Learning Opportunity

You can take a year off to study abroad, but it means missing important family events and potentially falling behind peers in your career.

• What matters more: personal growth or stability?
• Related values: adventure, security, learning, tradition

10. The Creative Pursuit

You have a passion project that brings you joy but generates no income. Your family suggests focusing on more "practical" endeavours.

• What matters more: pursuing passion or practical security?
• Related values: creativity, practicality, self-expression, security

11. The Lifestyle Choice

You're considering adopting a lifestyle that goes against societal norms but aligns with your beliefs (e.g., living off-grid, minimalism).

• What matters more: societal acceptance or personal conviction?
• Related values: authenticity, conformity, independence, belonging

12. The Time Investment

You can volunteer for a cause you believe in or take extra work hours for saving/investment.

• What matters more: community contribution or financial planning?
• Related values: altruism, financial security, community, self-sufficiency

Ethics & Morality

13. The Found Money

You find a wallet with $500 and an ID. Returning it would require significant time and inconvenience.

• What matters more: personal convenience or doing the right thing?
• Related values: integrity, honesty, practicality, karma

14. The White Lie

A colleague asks your opinion on their work, which you find subpar. They're sensitive to criticism.

• What matters more: honesty or kindness?
• Related values: truth, compassion, growth, harmony

15. The Competitive Edge

You discover a competitor's mistake that you could exploit for advantage. They wouldn't know it was you.

• What matters more: winning or fair play?
• Related values: competition, integrity, success, fairness

16. The Anonymous Impact

You can make a significant positive change, but must remain anonymous, letting others take credit.

• What matters more: impact or recognition?
• Related values: humility, achievement, recognition, effectiveness

Future & Legacy

17. The Life Direction

You must choose between pursuing a stable career path or following a risky but potentially more fulfilling dream.

• What matters more: security or fulfilment?
• Related values: stability, passion, growth, security

18. The Legacy Project

You can work on a project that might only show results after your lifetime.

• What matters more: immediate impact or long-term significance?
• Related values: legacy, immediate gratification, vision, practicality

19. The Knowledge Share

You have expertise that could help others, but sharing it might create competition for your own opportunities.

• What matters more: abundance or scarcity mindset?
• Related values: generosity, competition, community, self-preservation

20. The Environmental Choice

Making your lifestyle more environmentally sustainable would require significant personal sacrifice and inconvenience.

• What matters more: personal comfort or environmental responsibility?
• Related values: sustainability, convenience, responsibility, comfort

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After completing the scenarios, reflect on these questions:

• Which decisions were easiest to make? Why?
• Which scenarios created internal conflict? What does this reveal?
• What patterns do you notice in your choices?
• What does this tell you about your core values?
• How aligned are your daily actions with these revealed values?

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Next Steps:

• List your top 5 values based on your responses
• Identify areas where your current life aligns with these values
• Note areas where you might want to make changes
• Create specific actions to better align your life with your values

There are no universally "right" answers. The goal is to understand your authentic values and use them to guide your decisions and life direction.

I've done this one

Duration: As long as it takes Materials: notebook and pen, previous exercises, memory journal

Initial Response Analysis:

When reviewing your initial responses to reflection questions, such as in exercises 1 and 2, but also related to the development of your memories from your memory journal, use these prompts to go deeper:

Level 1: Surface Response

Write your immediate answer to each question.

Level 2: Context Exploration

• What circumstances influenced this response?
• Which experiences shaped this perspective?
• What assumptions am I making?

Level 3: Pattern Recognition

• How does this response connect to other areas of my life?
• What recurring themes emerge?
• Where else do I see similar behaviours or thoughts?

Level 4: Root Cause Analysis

• Why do I hold this view?
• What core beliefs support this response?
• What fears or hopes might be influencing my thinking?

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Deep-Dive Framework:

Start with: "This experience allowed me to use my strengths in..." Dig deeper:

1. Specific Skills
   • What exact skills did you employ?
   • How did each skill contribute?
   • Where did you gain these skills?
2. Growth Areas
   • What skills were you missing?
   • How did you adapt?
   • What would you do differently now?
3. Developing expertise
   • Where were you on your development path?
   • What level have you reached now?
   • What's your next development goal?

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For Support Network Responses:

Start with: "The people around me contributed by..." Dig deeper:

1. Individual Impacts
   • Name specific individuals
   • Detail their exact contributions
   • Analyse why their support mattered
2. Network Gaps
   • What support was missing?
   • Who could have filled these gaps?
   • How would additional support have changed outcomes?
3. Future Support Needs
   • What support do you need now?
   • Who can provide it?
   • How can you build stronger support systems?

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For Learning & Knowledge Responses:

Start with: "This experience taught me..." Dig deeper:

1. Knowledge Acquisition
   • What specific information did you gain?
   • How did you apply this knowledge?
   • What questions remain unanswered?
2. Skill Development
   • What capabilities improved?
   • How did you practice these skills?
   • What's your current proficiency level?
3. Future Learning
   • What more do you need to learn?
   • How can you acquire this knowledge?
   • What resources do you need?

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For Impact & Achievement Responses:

Start with: "My actions created change by..." Dig deeper:

1. Direct Results
   • What immediate outcomes occurred?
   • Who benefited?
   • How can you measure this impact?
2. Indirect Effects
   • What secondary changes happened?
   • How did others respond?
   • What unexpected outcomes emerged?
3. Long-term Impact
   • What lasting changes occurred?
   • How does this impact continue?
   • What potential future effects might emerge?

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Integration Exercise:

1. Cross-Reference Analysis
   • Compare responses across categories
   • Identify connecting threads
   • Note contradictions or tensions
2. Action Planning
   • List specific next steps
   • Set measurable goals
   • Create accountability measures
3. Future Vision
   • Project desired outcomes
   • Plan development path
   • Identify potential obstacles

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Implementation Guide:

1. Choose one response to analyse
2. Spend 15 minutes on each level
3. Write detailed answers
4. Review and synthesise insights
5. Create action steps

To effectively analyse student responses, thoroughly examine each answer, look for connections, and consider both strengths and weaknesses to identify growth opportunities.

I've done this one

Duration: 30 minutes Materials: A comfy chair, A cup of tea (optional, but highly recommended), notebook, your most honest internal voice (the one that admits you actually quite like Coldplay)

Grab a piece of paper and divide it into three columns:

1. "Prime Monkey's-Worthy"
2. "Moderately Monkey's-Worthy"
3. "Not Worth a Monkey's Uncle"

Now, write down 15 different ways you could spend your weekend, 5 for each of the subdivided headings above. Be specific:

• Instead of "going for a walk," write "taking a ramble through the local woods with a flask of wine and some crab sticks."
• Rather than "seeing friends," write "hosting a Sunday roast for my oldest mates with all the trimmings"

After listing them, close your eyes and properly imagine each scenario. Rate your gut reaction from 1 to 5, considering:

• How does your stomach feel? (Butterflies of excitement or knots of dread?)
• What's your immediate facial expression? (Grinning like you've found an extra Yorkshire pudding or grimacing like you've bitten into an unexpected Marmite sandwich?)
• Would you look forward to it all week or dread it like a trip to the dentist?

Use the same Monkey's-Worthy Scale from chapter 2:

Only 3 to 5 actually need to be considered as possible areas of deeper consideration. All others can be discarded as not being Monkey's-Worthy enough for further thought.

I've done this one

Duration: 30 minutes, or one episode of EastEnders Materials: The Weekend Wishlist, The Official Monkey's-Worthy Assessment Tool, notebook and pen.

For each activity you've marked as "Prime Monkey's-Worthy," in “The Weekend Wishlist” and 4 = Worth a Proper Monkey’s (Definitely care) 5 = Prime Monkey's-Worthy (Deeply care) in “The Official Monkey's-Worthy Assessment Tool’ answer these questions:

1. Time Cost:
   • How many hours would it actually take?
   • What would you need to give up to make time for it?
   • Is it a one-off or an ongoing commitment?

2. Money Matters:
   • What's the real cost? (Include everything, like that overpriced station coffee you'd inevitably buy)
   • Could you afford to do this regularly?
   • Would it be worth beans on toast for a week to do it?

3. Energy Investment:
   • Would it leave you buzzing like your third coffee of the day?
   • Or would it drain you more than a Bank Holiday shift at Tesco?
   • How long would you need to recover?

I've done this one

Duration: 25 minutes, or roughly how long you spend deliberating over biscuit choices in the supermarket Materials: The Time-Money-Energy Audit, notebook

Take your top three "Monkey's-Worthy" activities and play the "But Why?" chain game:

Note: Obviously, if you find this useful, it wouldn’t be breaking any of the strict Monkey’s Cult guidelines if you wanted to apply this approach to activities outside the top three but more than five, and I would advise you to seek advice from your local Monkey’s Cult rep.

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Understanding the Chain Game Process:

The "But Why?" chain game is like archaeological digging for your values, except instead of uncovering ancient pottery, you're excavating the deep-seated values that drive your behaviour. Think of each "why" question as deepening your shovel another layer into your motivational bedrock.

Starting with a surface-level activity (like mountain climbing, sourdough baking, or book club avoiding), each successive "why" question strips away another layer of superficial motivation, gradually revealing the core value that's really driving your behaviour. It's rather like peeling an onion, only instead of getting teary-eyed, you get enlightened about why you actually do what you do.

The game ends when you hit rock bottom, that fundamental value that needs no further explanation because it simply is. You'll know you've reached it when your answer makes you go "Well, duh, that's just who I am!" rather than prompting yet another "but why?" The average chain takes 3 to 5 questions, though some particularly stubborn motivations might require a full 7 to 8 layers of excavation.

Ready to dig? Let's start with some examples:

Example Chain 1: "Mountain Climbing is Monkey's-Worthy"

1. Why? "Because it seems exciting"
2. Why is that exciting? "Because it's challenging"
3. Why do you like challenges? "Because I feel accomplished when I overcome them"
4. Why is feeling accomplished important? "Because it makes me feel capable"
5. Why is feeling capable important? "Because I value self-reliance and personal growth" Aha Moment: You've just discovered you value personal growth and self-reliance!

Example Chain 2: "Learning to make proper sourdough bread"

1. Why? "Because I like bread"
2. But why? "Because I enjoy creating things from scratch"
3. But why? "Because it gives me a sense of accomplishment"
4. But why? "Because I value self-sufficiency and creativity"

Keep going until you hit something that feels like a core value. It's like peeling an onion, only with fewer tears and more insights.

The same process can be applied to the ones that are Not Worth Giving a Monkey’s Uncle about.

Example Chain 3: "Joining a Book Club is Not Monkey's-Worthy"

1. Why not? "Because I'd have to talk to strangers about books"
2. Why does that put you off? "Because I might say something silly"
3. Why does that worry you? "Because I prefer discussing books with close friends"
4. Why? "Because I can be myself with them"

Why is that important? "Because I value authentic, intimate connections over superficial ones" Aha Moment: You've discovered you value depth in relationships over breadth!

I've done this one

Duration: 30 minutes, or the time it takes to decide where to go for dinner with indecisive friends Materials: The Weekend Wishlist, The Official Monkey's-Worthy Assessment Tool, notebook and pen.

For each "Prime Monkey's-Worthy" activity:

1. Write down three potential obstacles:
   • The Weather Factor (because let's face it, this is Britain)
   • The Social Element (who else needs to be involved?)
   • The Practical Bits (equipment, location, skills needed)

2. Now imagine three things going wrong:
   • Best Case: It's just raining a bit
   • Middle Case: Your car breaks down on the way
   • Worst Case: Everything goes pear-shaped in spectacular fashion

Would you still want to do it? If yes, congratulations, you've found something genuinely Monkey's-Worthy!

I've done this one

Duration: 2-3 hours Materials: Previous Chapter 2 exercise results, notebook/exercise book, pen, quiet space, honesty

For each weekend wishlist you've created, in exercise 4, play:

The "But What If...?" Chain Game

Take your "Not Worth a Monkey's Uncle" items and add a twist that might change everything. For example:

Original: Book Club (Not Worth a Monkey's Uncle)

• But what if... it was held in a pub?
• But what if... it only discussed Terry Pratchett books?
• But what if... it was just your three best mates?

Original: Mountain Climbing (Not Worth a Monkey's Uncle)

• But what if... it was solo climbing?
• But what if... it was in the rain?
• But what if... there was no pub at the bottom?

And follow the same process until you find a but what if scenario that you would say yes, then I Would Give a Monkey’s about this.

I've done this one

Duration: 5-15 minutes Materials: notebook, pen

After completing your Why Chains and Plot Twists, circle any words or themes that keep popping up. These are your core values playing peek-a-boo.

Common ones might include:

• Adventure
• Security
• Connection
• Achievement
• Comfort
• Growth
• Freedom
• Structure

Add these to your growing pool of core values that you will have to give one final sift through to fully crystallise the true core of them all.

I've done this one

Duration: 30 minutes Materials: notebook, pen, notes from earlier exercises

Six months after identifying your core values through Exercise 1 and other Chapter 2 exercises, this Six-Month Test helps you evaluate whether those values have proven genuinely Monkey's-Worthy in real life. This exercise moves beyond the theoretical assessment of worthiness to test how these values have performed under the pressures of daily life:

Step 1: Create Your Real-Life Values Reality Map

Before we jump into rating, let's map exactly how your identified values have manifested in real life:

Value-to-Action Inventory: For each of your top 5 core values identified in Chapter 2, answer:

1. What specific actions have you taken to honour this value in the past 6 months?
2. How many Monkey's Credits have you invested in this value on average per week?
3. What situations challenged this value? How did you respond?
4. What evidence do you have that this value actually improved your life?

Create a Values Scorecard:

Step 2: Consider the Real-Life Impact

Examine how your value-based decisions have affected:

• Your daily routine: Did honouring this value create sustainable habits, or did it drain your Monkey's Credits?
• Your relationships: Are people responding positively to your value-aligned choices, or did some connections need to be reassessed?
• Your commitments: Which obligations naturally fell away as no longer Monkey's-Worthy, and which new ones emerged?
• Your energy levels: Are you feeling more energised overall, or did pursuing certain values prove exhausting?

Step 3: The Six-Month Reality Rating

Rate how strongly each statement resonates with you by using the Official Monkey’s-Worthy Scale:

Reality Adjustment: For any value that rated lower than expected:

• Was the value itself misidentified, or was the implementation lacking?
• Does this value need adjustment (more/less focus), or should it be retired?
• Are there new values that have emerged as more Monkey's-Worthy?

Six-Month Graduation: After this exercise, you should have:

1. A clear picture of which values truly deserve your Monkey's Credits
2. Evidence-based confidence in your Monkey's-Worthy choices
3. A refined value system based on lived experience, not theory

The values that maintain high ratings after 6 months of real-world testing have earned their place as your authentic Monkey's-Worthy guides.

I've done this one

Duration: 2-3 hours Materials: Previous Chapter 2 exercise results, large paper/whiteboard, markers, quiet space

Step 1: Values Collection

Create a primary list from all previous exercises:

• List every value identified in previous exercises
• Note which exercise(s) each value appeared in
• Mark values that appear multiple times

Template:

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Step 2: Value Clustering

Group similar values:

• Circle-related values
• Draw connections between linked concepts
• Create value families
• Name each cluster based on the core theme

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Step 3: The Weight Test

For each value cluster:

• Rate impact on decision-making (1 to 5)
• Count Monkey's Credits typically spent protecting it
• Assess emotional reaction when violated (1 to 5)
• Calculate frequency of value-based choices

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Step 4: The Reality Check

Examine each top value against real life:

• List recent decisions influenced by this value
• Note times you've defended this value
• Identify sacrifices made for this value
• Record Monkey's Credits invested in this value

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Step 5: Core Value Identification

Create hierarchy using weighted scoring:

Template:

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Step 6: The Final Selection

1. Choose top 5 core values based on:
   • Highest total scores
   • Gut reaction check
   • Sustainability assessment
   • Monkey's Credit investment history
2. Write value statement for each:
   • What it means to you
   • How it guides decisions
   • When it's most important
   • How many Monkey's Credits you'll invest

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Step 7: Integration Plan

For each core value:

• Create practical application guidelines
• Set boundaries to protect it
• Develop response scripts for violations
• Plan Monkey's Credit allocation

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Your core values are your Monkey's Credit investment guides. They determine where your Credits are best spent and what's truly worth giving a monkey's about.

Monthly Review

Schedule regular check-ins to:

• Assess value alignment
• Adjust Credit allocation
• Update protection strategies
• Reinforce value commitments

Emergency Response Protocol

When values are challenged:

• Pause and identify core value at stake
• Calculate Monkey's Credit cost
• Consider long-term impact
• Choose response based on value hierarchy

Your final core values should feel like coming home, they're the principles worth spending your Monkey's Credits on, the ones that make you say "I’ll give every last drop!" with unwavering conviction.

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I've done this one