How to Use a Values Card Deck

Values Cards: A Tool for Clarity, Growth, and Alignment

At Green Door Therapy, we believe understanding your core values is essential for personal growth, clarity, and living authentically. The Values Cards help you articulate what truly matters to you—your desires, goals, and guiding principles. While many people have an intuitive sense of their values, they often struggle to express them clearly. These cards offer a visual representation of various values, helping you identify and name what’s most important.

Why Values Matter

Values are not fixed destinations; they are ongoing directions that guide your actions, relationships, and decisions. For example, you can never truly “achieve” a certain value— you are only able to continually move toward them. Likewise, other values evolve as you grow. The Values Cards help you clarify and align your actions with these values, empowering you to live a life that resonates with your true self.

Using the Values Cards can help you:

• Gain clarity on your goals, desires, and aspirations.

• Improve self-awareness and understand the driving forces behind your choices.

• Make more intentional decisions that align with your authentic self.

• Feel more grounded and present in your relationships and daily life.

• Discover areas for growth and create space for transformation.

USING THE VALUES CARDS

1. Values Sort
   Begin by laying out all the cards so you can clearly see the words. Sort the cards into categories that resonate with you. You may want to narrow them down to a final selection of 10, 5, or 3 cards for further reflection.

• Option 1: Sort into three categories:

• Strong Resonance: Values that inspire or energize you.

• Neutral: Values that feel distant or don’t resonate strongly.

• Disconnected: Values that don’t align with you right now.

• Option 2: Sort into:

• Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important.

• Option 3: Sort based on questions like:

• What values do I want to work toward right now?

• What values are important to me in this year or season of life?

• Tips for Sorting:

• Pay attention to what you feel drawn to and trust your instincts.

• If emotions arise, take a pause and reflect.

• There’s no “right” or “wrong” answer—this is about what matters to you.

2. Values Reflection
   After sorting, take time to reflect on your choices. You can journal or discuss with a therapist or trusted person. Consider these questions:

• What did I notice about my choices during the sort?

• How do I define each of my chosen values?

• How do these values show up in my life right now?

• Why is each value important to me?

• What does it look like to live more in alignment with this value?

• What would my life look like if I moved away from this value?

3. Values in Action
   Aligning your actions with your values is an ongoing process. Small, intentional steps are key.

• What small actions can I take today to live more in line with my values?

• How can I bring these values into my relationships, work, or self-care?

• What challenges might arise as I live more authentically, and how can I overcome them?

Living in alignment with your values isn’t a one-time event—it’s a continuous journey.

The Benefits of Using the Values Cards

The Values Cards are a powerful tool for self-discovery and growth. By clarifying your core values, you’ll gain insights into your desires, decisions, and actions. This clarity can empower you to live a life that is meaningful, fulfilling, and aligned with who you truly are.

At Green Door Therapy, we’re committed to supporting you as you uncover and live out your values. The Values Cards offer a visual, hands-on way to bring clarity to your desires, needs, and goals, guiding you toward a more authentic and intentional life.