We have all been through times when sticking to a goal has proven to be much harder than we thought, and eventually giving up on it altogether. Most of the time the reason remains a lack of connection between the goal and values that make you who you are. In this article, we will take you along to explain and guide why setting goals is necessary, but those goals if not aligned with your values are good for nothing
What Are Value Goals? Value Goals Examples?
Let’s start from the basics, value goal setting is a simple concept that means to set goals based on your values. A value-based goal follows the format of being aligned with internal values, and considerate of your likes and dislikes. On the other hand, goals that align with values, but not yours can tend to feel alien and not according to your needs.
In this situation, the best thing to do for setting achievable goals is by setting values and then forming goals. An example of a value-based goal is for a religious person to form a daily goal of doing yoga to feel connected with the universe, while a health junky can also have the same goal but on different values of being healthy and happy.
Difference between Values and Goals, Why Do They Matter?
A goal and value are highly linked, yet varied concepts. While a value gives direction to the kind of goal to set, the actual goal is a practical step you take to modify your values. Therefore, values-based goals are meant to be smart goals, which align to the person that you are and take you towards becoming the person you want to be.
Finding Your “Why”: The Science Behind Value-Based Goal-Setting
To set goals that are actually achievable and help you get ahead in life, then you have to strategize according to your needs and wants. A health-related goal is not a smart goal for a workaholic who wants to get ahead in their career, while a career-oriented goal is not good for a student in their middle school years. The context of your life that aligns with your future goals and personal values helps in finding the WHY of your goal.
How to Set Value-Based Smart Goals This Year? How to Set Achievable Goals So That They Align With Values?
To achieve a smart goal, it is pertinent to first understand what the term even means.
S: Specific: Being specific to your personal values and connecting with your inner self is the guide on which to establish smart goals.
M: Measurable: Those goals have to be attainable and well-connected between each milestone. To assess the measuring ability of a goal, consider your well-being, and your final goal and then break them down into steps toward final success
A: Achievable: A goal cannot be unrealistic, if it is meant to be achieved. Wanting to become an astronaut at age 5 is cute, but at 25 if you have the same goal, then even that can be broken down into achievable smaller steps
R: Relevant: Relevancy is alignment with the context of your life. Say, for example, you do not like to read books and hate being still in one spot for lengthy periods of time. Then to set a goal of reading 10 books per month is definitely not for you. Instead, set a hiking goal or some other goal that is relevant to your life and needs
T: Time-Bound: Value-based goals are achievable because of time restrictions that motivate you to achieve the goal. Time-bound goals guide you toward achieving the end goal and at the same time helps you to get ahead with each milestone
Defining Values and Setting Goals
The first towards a value-based goal that helps in achieving the context of your life is to first define your values and then set goals, which has been done as follows:
What Are Values?
The academic definition for values is a fundamental belief or guide that motivates attitudes as well as actions. Values in other words are guiding principles for your actions and attitudes. They determine what is important, what doesn’t hold value for you, and what is considered exceptional in your eyes.
Difference between Values and Goals
Values: They are guiding principle that is innate and inherently developed from a young age
Goals: These are specific ways in which values can be executed in a practical manner.
Align Your Goals with Your Values
As understood, values are the defining principle, which is why they must be used to set a direction and the execution of this must be done with the help of goals. Your core values define the goal and to achieve your goals, you will automatically gain motivation through smart goal setting
Why Do Values Matter When Setting Goals? How to Set Value-Based Goals
When setting larger goals that can prolong through years of your life, you’ve to establish goals that align with your values. Even if you aren’t clear about your values, first do some brainstorming and understand your core values and interests
You’re doing something right when you’ve already gained the motivation to get started right after goal setting. This is why, values matter when setting goals because such goals help to keep you motivated and on track to become a better version of yourself
Why Set Goals In Life?
If you ever find yourself demotivated and feel like goals add unnecessary tension or stress, then read this paragraph to align your thoughts. We set goals in life to get ahead, to face a constantly changing world, and to be prepared for the future.
If you need changes in life, it’s time to start taking action and stop planning. That doesn’t mean adding various goals and milestones, which only stresses you out. Instead, it means to start building on a better future and if you want to take it easy, then keep the pace of goals slow.
Time-Based Goals Have a Deadline
With a slower pace, deadlines can work wonders. Goals align with your values, but they can be broken down into smaller achievable goals as well. An example of this is that instead of setting the larger goal of learning Chinese, set smaller milestones of learning a new word every day or understanding Chinese grammar in one month, etc.
Specific Goals are Attainable
The goal you set is emblematic of your personal core values, yet to make them achievable they have to be specific. Rather than saying I need to lose weight, make it specific and say I need to go to the gym at least 3 times per week. To pursue your life goals, being specific is meant to narrow down a larger goal in attainable steps
Measurable Goals Can Be Tracked
The objective of a new goal is to motivate you into taking steps, but if the goal is overwhelming then you can feel demotivated. This is why, a big goal is never the answer, instead your compass must understand the value you have and the personal goals that execute your resolution. Take the first step, then the next and the next, and the next, and before you know it, you will be showing gratitude over covering a major chunk of work towards the big final goal.
Achievable Goals are Motivating
The creativity in goal setting based on values is to form goals that motivate you to do better and to be better at achieving your goals. The big goal can be daunting and you may want to achieve it but overwhelming demands of the goal can force you to give up. This is why, making progress is inherently linked to smaller achievable goals that motivate you, instead of goals crushing your spirit.
How Can Goal Setting Improve Performance?
After reading through this much, you may ask why I would even do goal setting. Well, the simple answer is that goals are meant to improve your performance. It is likely to result in betterment overall and generally in your life, from career to home life, health, fitness, lifestyle, religious values, etc.
By setting goals, you give yourself a structure and format to follow, which thereby keeps you accountable. When we don’t do goal setting, we tend to delay things to the next day, next week, and next year, until it never happens. But smaller achievable goals that are divided into steps give you a timeframe and check your resilience in keeping up with each step.
Setting Value-Based Smart Health Goals
If you want to achieve a better life, then health goals must be your primary goals. Within the next few years, middle age will come knocking and then backaches, sore joints, and many other ailments may feel like too much to handle. So smart health goals at the right time will help you stay on track to being healthy and motivated to work towards a healthy life
The Importance and Value of Goal Setting
In our daily life, values tend to be silently impacting each and every decision that we take. This is why, why shouldn’t the goal-setting process also be affected by personal values? The goal of owning a home, clearly defined financial goals, and health goals meant to lead to achieving personal well-being are all connected to alignment with your core values.
Download 3 Free Goals Exercises (PDF)
These PDFs are meant to help you achieve the perfect goal-setting routine in your daily life
- Goal Setting Journal
- Goal Breakdown
- The Perfect Day Exercise
The Importance of Goal Setting in Business and Organizations
The barrier to achieving a perfect life is that we tend to clearly define and distinguish between our goals. Instead, it is important to realize that personal goals are linked to organizational, business, and career goals as well. To evolve from personal to organizational goals, the only difference is the distinguished layer of values that define the kind of goals to be set. Progress towards wellbeing in personal life is health, but progress towards wellbeing at organizational level can be productivity, cost-cutting measures or customer awareness.
How Not To Set Goals
However, when talking about organizational goals, please make sure to avoid these mistakes.
- Do not get confused between personal and professional
- Organizational goals are team bound
- Organizational goals require much thorough planning
- Think back to organizational values
- Purposefully communicate values and goals with employees
Final Thoughts on Values VS Goals
How to Decide Between Values or Goals
To summarise the discussion, it is important to note that values and goals are different things, but one cannot be without the other. You cannot do goal setting without personal values and personal values hold no meaning, if not executed in the form of goals. So, do not force yourself to choose one. Rather than this, take the time and energy to set goals that align with your core values
Now that goal setting has been broken down into smaller steps, are you
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Value-Driven Goals
Live Your “Why”
People set goals, but tend to ignore them and after a while forget about them completely. Therefore, to set new goals that you are likely to achieve, take action in the planning phase and know the why behind goal setting. Is it health? Career? Mental health? School? Personal life? Self-care?
Values Clarification
Upon us is the responsibility to determine what our values are, when doing goal setting. Some values can be more important than others, while others can be opposed to one another. For instance, you may have ingrained value of health-oriented thinking, fixating on your physical health may be bad for your mental health. So, for different times, clarify your values
Goals Clarification
Goals in different areas of life superimpose on one another and make you who you are. However, if goals are not clearly described and smaller steps identified, then their importance to us can be lost.
FAQ’s
Q. What Are the Three 3 Useful Values for Goal Setting?
- Specifics
- Measurable
- Relevance
Q. What is The Value of Goals?
Goals hold value to your personal context and help you achieve what matters the most to you
Q. What are Values?
Values are ingrained principles and beliefs
Why Do We Value Goals?
Goals are critical in ensuring long term growth and success in different avenues of life
Q. Give 5 Reasons Why Goals Are Important?
- Goals hold meaning
- Goals give success
- Goals breakdown complex objectives into smaller steps
- Goals help in holding oneself accountable
- Goals help in clarifying what we truly want
Q. What Are The Most Important Goals In Life?
- Health goals
- Fitness goals
- Happiness goals
Q. How Do You Make A Goal Measurable?
To measure a goal, break it down into smaller steps and set milestone for achieving smaller steps that lead to the big goal. These smaller steps are a measure of your goal and progress
Q. Are Core Values Same As Goals? Are Values Goals?
No. Core values are ingrained and innate beliefs, goals are an execution of those beliefs.
Q. To Establish Career Or Entrepreneurial Goals, What Matters?
Values of honesty, integrity, family, religion, etc. can be equally applied to both personal as well as professional goals
Q. Why Do Values Matter When Setting Goals?
They matter because they provide a roadmap of how to define success
To conclude, it is worth noting that setting goals for the betterment of life is an obvious choice for any person. However, when you take the decision of choosing goals based on your core values, that’s when goals become achievable or attainable and success becomes a reality.