Drop down list that only puts a number in the cell

I know how to create a drop down list, but I want to do something a little different and am not sure if it is possible. I would like to have each item of the drop down list numbered and when chosen, only the number is entered in the cell.
So the drop down list would be something like:

1. absolutely not
2. maybe
3. definitely

Picking one of these from a drop down list would only put a 1, 2, or 3 in the the cell.

Is this possible and how?