Discover Your Top Values: Core List of 75 Common Values to Start Using Now for a More Aligned Life

You probably just searched values core list. Here’s exactly what you’re looking for, plus an example of a definition for each value. Remember, you can define your core values however you want; the below definitions will just get you started.   

What are core values?

Core values shape our beliefs, guide our decisions, and ultimately define us as individuals. Identifying and embracing our core values empowers us to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life aligned with our authentic selves.

75 Values: Core List of Common Values

Below is a comprehensive (not exhaustive) core values list to help you explore and identify the values that resonate with you. Read through these and write down the ones that resonate with you the most. Then, go through your shorter list and try to widdle it down to your top 3 to 5 values. 

1. Authenticity: Being true to oneself and living in alignment with one’s beliefs and values.
2. Accountability: Taking responsibility for one’s actions, decisions, and their consequences.
3. Achievement: Striving for personal and professional success, setting ambitious goals, and celebrating the fulfillment of milestones along the way.
4. Adventure: Seeking new experiences, embracing uncertainty, and embracing a spirit of exploration and adventure.
5. Authority: Recognizing and embracing the responsibility to lead with competence, influence, and integrity
6. Autonomy: Valuing independence, self-direction, and the freedom to make decisions that align with your own values and goals.
7. Balance: Striving for harmony and equilibrium in all aspects of life, including work, relationships, and personal well-being.
8. Beauty: Appreciating and finding inspiration in the aesthetics, creativity, and harmony of the world around us.
9. Boldness: Embracing courage and taking risks to pursue your passions and overcome challenges.
10. Collaboration: Valuing teamwork, cooperation, and synergy, and working effectively with others to achieve common goals.
11. Compassion: Showing empathy, understanding, and kindness towards others, especially during times of difficulty or suffering.
12. Challenge: Embracing opportunities for growth and pushing beyond your comfort zone to achieve personal and professional development.
13. Citizenship: Fulfilling your responsibilities as a member of society, actively participating in your community, and contributing to the greater good.
14. Community: Valuing and nurturing the connections, support, and shared experiences within a group of individuals living in the same area or sharing common interests.
15. Competency: Striving for excellence, continually developing your skills, knowledge, and expertise to perform at a high level in your chosen endeavors.
16. Contribution: Making a positive impact and actively giving back to others, whether through your time, resources, or talents.
17. Courage: Facing challenges, adversity, and fear with strength, resilience, and determination
18. Creativity: Fostering imaginative thinking, innovation, and expressing oneself through various forms of art and creation.
19. Curiosity: Having a thirst for knowledge, exploring new ideas, and seeking to understand the world around you.
20. Determination: Demonstrating unwavering resolve, persistence, and perseverance in the face of challenges or obstacles.
21. Empathy: Demonstrating understanding, compassion, and sensitivity towards the feelings and experiences of others.
22. Environmental Consciousness: Caring for and protecting the environment, making sustainable choices, and promoting ecological responsibility.
23. Equality: Advocating for fairness, justice, and equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.
24. Equanimity: Cultivating a state of calmness, composure, and emotional balance, maintaining stability and peace of mind amidst life’s challenges and fluctuations.
25. Faith: Holding strong beliefs, trust, or confidence in a higher power, spiritual principles, or guiding philosophies.
26. Fame: Seeking recognition and prominence for notable achievements or contributions, often in the public eye.
27. Family: Prioritizing the well-being, love, and support of family members and nurturing strong familial bonds.
28. Forgiveness: Practicing compassion and letting go of resentment or anger towards oneself and others, fostering healing and reconciliation.
29. Freedom: Valuing independence, autonomy, and the right to self-expression and individuality.
30. Friendship: Cultivating meaningful connections and bonds based on trust, mutual support, and shared experiences, enriching life with companionship and a sense of belonging.
31. Fun: Embracing enjoyment, lightheartedness, and playfulness in activities and experiences, bringing joy and laughter to life’s moments.
32. Gratitude: Appreciating and expressing thankfulness for the blessings, experiences, and relationships in one’s life.
33. Growth: Having a mindset of continuous learning, personal development, and embracing opportunities for growth.
34. Happiness: Pursuing a state of contentment, joy, and fulfillment in your life and relationships.
35. Honesty: Practicing truthfulness, integrity, and sincerity in your words and actions.
36. Humility: Recognizing and acknowledging one’s limitations, embracing a modest and respectful attitude towards oneself and others.
37. Humor: Appreciating and sharing laughter, finding amusement and lightness in everyday experiences.
38. Influence: Inspiring and guiding others through your actions, ideas, and leadership.
39. Inner Harmony: Cultivating a sense of peace, balance, and alignment within oneself, finding harmony between mind, body, and spirit.
40. Integrity: Adhering to a strong moral and ethical code, consistently acting with honesty and honor.
41. Joy: Pursuing activities and relationships that bring happiness, contentment, and a sense of fulfillment.
42. Justice: Upholding fairness, equality, and moral rightness in social, legal, and ethical contexts.
43. Kindness: Showing compassion, empathy, and goodwill towards others, promoting a culture of care and consideration.
44. Knowledge: Seeking and acquiring information, facts, and understanding in various areas of interest or expertise.
45. Leadership: Guiding, inspiring, and motivating others towards a common goal while embodying qualities of vision, integrity, and resilience.
46. Learning: Embracing a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, growth, and personal development through continuous education and self-improvement.
47. Love: Fostering deep affection, connection, and care for oneself and others, creating meaningful and supportive relationships.
48. Loyalty: Demonstrating unwavering commitment, trust, and support to individuals, groups, or causes that you value.
49. Meaningful Work: Engaging in activities that provide a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and significance in contributing to something larger than oneself.
50. Openness: Approaching new ideas, perspectives, and experiences with receptiveness and a willingness to learn and adapt.
51. Optimism: Maintaining a positive outlook, believing in the potential for good outcomes, even in challenging situations.
52. Peace: Cultivating a state of tranquility, harmony, and inner calm and actively promoting peace in your interactions and relationships.
53. Pleasure: Seeking and enjoying sensory, emotional, or intellectual gratification, finding joy and satisfaction in life’s experiences.
54. Poise: Exhibiting grace, composure, and self-assurance, especially in challenging or stressful situations.
55. Popularity: Enjoying widespread recognition, admiration, and acceptance by many people.
56. Recognition: Being acknowledged and appreciated for your achievements, contributions, or talents.
57. Religion: Following and practicing a set of beliefs, rituals, and values related to spirituality and faith.
58. Reputation: Building and maintaining a favorable opinion, esteem, and credibility among others.
59. Resilience: Developing the ability to bounce back from adversity, embracing challenges as opportunities for growth, and maintaining perseverance in the face of obstacles.
60. Respect: Treating oneself and others with consideration, dignity, and honor.
61. Responsibility: Acknowledging and fulfilling your personal and professional obligations, duties, and commitments.
62. Security: Seeking and ensuring protection, safety, and stability in various aspects of life, including physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
63. Self-Respect: Valuing and honoring oneself, holding a positive self-image, and maintaining personal boundaries.
64. Service: Contributing to the welfare and support of others, offering assistance, and making a positive difference in the lives of those in need.
65. Spirituality: Exploring and nurturing a connection to something greater than oneself, seeking meaning and purpose through personal beliefs and practices.
66. Stability: Cultivating a sense of reliability, consistency, and equilibrium in personal and professional spheres.
67. Success: Achieving desired outcomes, goals, or milestones that are meaningful and fulfilling to you.
68. Sustainability: Prioritizing practices that preserve and protect the environment, promoting long-term ecological balance and the responsible use of resources.
69. Status: Attaining a position, rank, or social standing that conveys prestige, influence, or recognition.
70. Transparency: Valuing openness, honesty, and clarity in communication and actions, fostering trust and accountability in personal and professional relationships.
71. Trustworthiness: Being reliable, dependable, and worthy of trust in your words, actions, and commitments.
72. Wealth: Accumulating material resources and financial abundance to provide security, freedom, and opportunities.
73. Wellness: Prioritizing physical, mental, and emotional well-being and cultivating a healthy lifestyle.
74. Wisdom: Seeking and embodying deep understanding, discernment, and insight gained through knowledge and life experience.
75. Wonder: Nurturing a sense of awe, curiosity, and fascination towards the world, finding joy and inspiration in the beauty and mysteries of life, fostering a continuous sense of wonder and appreciation.

The Bottom Line

Identifying and embracing your core values is a powerful tool for personal growth, decision-making, and leading a purposeful life. While the core values list provided here is comprehensive, it is essential to remember that your own set of core values may be unique to you. Take the time to reflect on what truly matters to you, and use this list as a starting point to explore and define your oore values. Embracing and living in alignment with your authentic self will ultimately lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life journey.

Learn more:

• 6 Easy Steps to Save Time, Make More Money, and Be Happier Based on The Science of Flow

Want More Resources Like This?

Get juicy success hacks and awesome resources related to passive income, personal finance, and positive psychology delivered straight from my brain to yours. Check it out and sign up here.

The Friendly Agreement

If you found value in this resource, please share it. It takes 10 seconds, and this post took me hours to write.

This post may contain affiliate links that allow this blog to earn money without a cost to you. Many thanks if you use them. Please read my disclosure for more info.