Values Card Sort
A free interactive exercise to help you clarify what matters most to you. Drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), this exercise invites you to sort 39 values cards into three piles.
How This Works
You'll go through 39 values and rate each one as Very Important, Important, or Less Important.
There are no right or wrong answers — this is about what matters to you, right now.
This exercise is for self-reflection and isn't a substitute for therapy or personalised advice. If reflecting on your values brings up distress, be gentle with yourself.
About values
What are values?
Values are qualities of living that matter deeply to you. They describe how you want to behave, relate to others, and show up in the world — not what you want to achieve, but who you want to be in the process of living.
How are values different from goals?
Goals can be completed. Values are ongoing directions. For example, being a caring parent is a value. Attending my child's school event is a goal connected to that value. Goals have a finish line; values do not — they are something you continue to move toward throughout your life.
Why do values matter?
Values can help guide choices during difficult moments. When emotions are intense or thoughts are challenging, knowing what genuinely matters to you can act like a compass — helping you decide how you want to respond, rather than simply reacting to what's in front of you.
Why clarifying your values matters
In ACT, values are described as chosen directions — the qualities of action and being that give your life meaning and purpose. Unlike goals, values can never be fully achieved; they are something you live toward, step by step.
When life feels flat, stuck, or overwhelming, reconnecting with your values can help you identify small, meaningful steps forward — even in the presence of difficult thoughts and feelings.
Want to explore your values in therapy?
Values work is a central part of ACT-based therapy. Book a session to explore what your values mean in practice and how to let them guide you more fully.
Crisis Support
If you need immediate help, please use a crisis service.
This website is not a crisis service. If you need urgent mental health support, call one of the services below. In an emergency, call 000.
Lifeline
13 11 14
Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
The Butterfly Foundation
1800 33 4673