Most lists of core values run to a hundred words with no definitions, which is why people stall on them. This is a deliberately short deck: twenty-five values, each with one plain definition, chosen so that a person can hold them in mind and rank them. It was designed by neuropsychologist Dr. Martine J. RoBards for a card-sort game and draws on the classic instruments in the field: the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule, the Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values, and the Rokeach Value Survey.
A list of 25 core values, with definitions
The deck from the What Matters card sort. Read them, or sort them in five minutes and get a written report.
- AchievementSetting hard goals and reaching them. Doing something well enough that the results speak for you.
- PowerBeing in charge. Deciding how things go and having other people follow your lead.
- WealthHaving a great deal of money and what it buys: possessions, comfort, and options.
- Financial StabilityKnowing the bills are covered and the future is provided for. Steady income, savings, no debt you can't handle.
- RecognitionBeing noticed, admired, and praised. A name and a reputation that other people respect.
- IndependenceRunning your own life. Making your own decisions without needing anyone's permission or approval.
- DeferenceRespecting authority and custom. Following the lead of people you trust, and fitting in rather than standing out.
- OrderNeatness, planning, and routine. A life where things are organized and in their place.
- VarietyChange and new experiences. New places, new people, new ways of doing things.
- KnowledgeUnderstanding how things work. Learning for its own sake and thinking things all the way through.
- Self-UnderstandingKnowing your own mind: why you feel what you feel and do what you do.
- CreativityMaking something that didn't exist before. Original ideas, art, invention, and self-expression.
- BeautyBeing surrounded by what is beautiful: nature, art, music, and well-made things.
- PleasureEnjoying yourself. Fun, comfort, good food, leisure, and play.
- HealthA strong, well-cared-for body. Energy, fitness, and freedom from illness.
- SexualityA satisfying sexual life. Desire, attraction, and physical intimacy as part of who you are.
- LoveA close, lasting bond with a partner. Loving someone and being loved in return.
- FamilyCloseness and loyalty to your family, and putting them first.
- FriendshipLoyal companions who know you well. Belonging to a circle of friends.
- Helping OthersCaring for people in need. Generosity, kindness, and service.
- SupportHaving people who look after you and stand by you when you're hurting. Being able to lean on others.
- ReligionFaith and worship. Living by the teachings of your religious tradition.
- HonestyTelling the truth and living without pretense, even when it costs you.
- JusticeFairness and equal treatment for everyone, and standing up against what is wrong.
- Inner PeaceFreedom from conflict inside yourself. Calm, self-acceptance, and contentment.
How to use the list
Read each value and ask two questions, not one. First: how much does this matter to me, honestly, not how much should it? Sort into high, medium, and low. Second, for the ones that matter most: is this being satisfied in my life right now, or not, or am I working on it? The gap between the first answer and the second is where most of the useful information lives. A value ranked second and marked “not satisfied” tells you more than the whole ranked list.
Why the low pile matters too
People are often surprised by what they set down. A value in the low pile is not a flaw; sometimes it is a value someone else expected of you, carried for years. Noticing that is its own relief.
Frequently asked
What is a values card sort?
A values card sort is a quick way to find out what matters most to you: you go through a deck of value cards, sort them into piles by importance, rank the top few, and then look at how well your life is actually honoring them. It is used in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, motivational interviewing, coaching, and career counseling.
How many core values should a person have?
Most sorts ask for five to ten. What Matters asks for your top seven and then asks a second question most lists skip: is each one satisfied in your life right now?
Is this list of values free to use?
Yes for personal use, and clinicians may use the sort with clients. The card wording is © RoBards Counseling & Consulting, Inc.