We all know the feeling: a new year begins and we set ambitious goals. But often, these plans fail for various reasons: unclear definitions, trying to accomplish too much at once, lack of planning and structure or a disconnect from our true motivation. Goals fail when they don’t align with what truly matters to us.
Goals based on your personal values are not only more motivating but also more sustainable quite often. In this article, you’ll learn why it makes sense to define goals based on your values and how to put this into practice.
Why Is Goal Setting Important?
Goals provide clear direction for your actions, help you prioritize and create a foundation for measuring progress. They motivate you by creating a vision for the future and encouraging you to actively work toward change. Without goals, it’s often difficult to find the drive to reach your potential or achieve long-term success.
For teams, shared goals play a crucial role: they foster collaboration, create a shared understanding of priorities and enhance motivation through collective achievements. Clear team goals also help coordinate individual contributions and reduce conflicts.
Why Values Are Key to Meaningful Goals
Your values are the guiding principles that shape your life. They reflect what truly matters to you and influence your decisions and everyday behavior. Think of values as guardrails on the road of life: they keep you from losing your way during challenging times and provide guidance when faced with critical decisions.
When your goals align with your values, they feel more fulfilling and meaningful, giving you the strength and motivation to stay committed over the long term. Conversely, a mismatch between your goals and values often leads to internal conflict, manifesting as dissatisfaction, stress or a loss of enthusiasm for the goal. In short, goals that reflect your values are more sustainable because they feel authentic and align with your personal compass.
Here are my personal values and what they mean to me:
Authenticity: Acting with integrity, staying true to myself and my values, while fostering loyal interactions.
Trust: Believing in myself and having the courage to explore new paths, as well as the ability to build and maintain stable, trustworthy relationships.
Honesty: Practicing transparent communication, empathy, respect, openness, and reliability in equal partnerships.
Growth: Promoting lifelong learning to unlock potential, achieve success, and find fulfillment.
My own growth journey is also important to me. That’s why I ensure my goals not only drive business success but also allow room for my own development and reflection. A goal focused solely on operational efficiency would undermine my desire for personal growth—so I make sure my vision supports both personal and professional development.
Step 1: Identify Your Values
Before setting goals, clarify what truly matters to you. Here are some prompts to help:
Reflection: Think about moments when you felt particularly happy or proud. What values were being honored?
Questions:
What drives you?
What would you miss if it were no longer part of your life?
What is your passion project?
Value Lists: Use a list of personal values and select 3–5 that best define you.
Step 2: Align Goals with Your Values
Once you know your values, align your goals with them. Here’s how:
Define Your Goal or Vision: What do you want to achieve?
In my example: “I want to grow my business to support more individuals and companies on their journey, through one-on-one coaching and team workshops.”
Check for Alignment: Does your goal align with your values? For me, this means ensuring that my business growth is rooted in authenticity, trust and honesty, while also allowing room for my personal growth.
Adjust as Needed: Modify your goal to better reflect your values if necessary.
Step 3: Plan Realistic Steps
A value-aligned goal is just the beginning. Break it into realistic steps:
Long-Term Goal: What do you want to achieve in one year?
Milestones: What can you accomplish in the next three months?
Daily Habits: What small actions can you take daily?
Step 4: Reflect and Adjust
Life is dynamic, and so are your goals. Regular reflection helps you stay on track:
Weekly Check-Ins: Are you making progress? Are there obstacles?
Monthly Reviews: Are your goals still relevant?
Adjustments: Revise your goals while staying true to your values.
Conclusion
Goals based on your personal values are more fulfilling and sustainable. They motivate you to stay committed over the long term and give your actions a deeper sense of purpose.
In addition to the steps outlined here, other strategies can be helpful, such as visualizing your goals with a vision board. The SMART method (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) can also serve as a valuable framework.
Ready to discover your values and set goals that truly fit you? Let’s work on it together! Contact me for a coaching session and learn how to turn your vision into action.
Yours, Johanna
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