Do you find that you lose interest in your goals as the year moves along? Do you beat yourself up because you can’t stay motivated after setting a goal?
Have you set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) and still find it hard to stay on track?
Have other people commented that you’re unable to stay focused and committed to your goals? Or have some hinted that you may be flighty, flaky, or fickle?
While all these are common, they are not always true.
Many people struggle with their goals because the goals don’t have any meaning attached to them. Once the goals are achieved, then that’s it!
If this is you, then your goals may feel or seem selfish and not rooted in anything significant.
Change track and increase your chances of success by aligning your goals and values.
How to Create Alignment Between Your Goals and Values
Individuals and businesses become more committed to their goals if the goals are expected to have a positive impact on other people’s lives or livelihoods.
If you struggle with keeping yourself inspired and motivated, think about how achieving your goals will help and serve others.
Ask yourself how your personal, professional, and business success can make a positive contribution to the world.
First, think about what you value the most personally and in your business if you have one:
- What guides your life, career, or business?
- What do you stand for?
- What is important to you?
- What are you passionate about?
Once you clarify your values, it will be easier to create goals that align with who you are and stick to them.
For example, let’s say you’re a Life Coach and you want to increase the number of coaching clients you have by the end of the year.
I don’t think a goal like “Increase coaching clients by 100%” would inspire you much!
But if you attach this goal to something important to you and create an action plan to achieve it, you are much more likely to be successful.
A goal like: “Increase coaching clients by 100%, helping women find direction and well-being in their lives after career burnout.” would motivate you more.
Steps to Align Your Goals and Values
- Identify your values by listing things that stir your emotions or make you upset, or the causes you stand up for. What would you change in the world if you could? List up to 10-15 values. You can also use this process to come up with your business values.
- Create a list of your SMART goals.
- Choose 3 values that are most important to you.
- Figure out how those values are related to your overall goals.
- Re-imagine your goals with these values incorporated into them.
- List the action steps you’ll need to take to accomplish these goals, day-by-day.
Goals + Values = Vision
When you add your values to your goals, this contributes to your overall vision for the different areas of your life. Having a vision for your life is what keeps you motivated, focused, and on your path.
What Values are Hindering Your Goals?
On the flip side, it’s possible to value things that impede goal-setting and achievement.
Such values are unconscious and for the most part, hidden from the conscious mind. Additionally, while they aren’t always stated in our goals, they do influence us in many ways.
Do any of these feel familiar?
- I value other people’s approval.
- I value being perfect at all times.
- I love crushing my competition.
- Self-sacrifice and hard work are admirable.
- I value leisure.
It is hard to see these things operating in your life and it’s also possible to see them and still not recognize their negative influence.
It’s worth taking time for self-evaluation and reflection in order to uncover whether or not these underlying values are helping or hindering your goals.
Review Your Goals and Values Annually
Goals, values, and vision evolve over the years, and having static goals does not promote growth.
So it’s important to incorporate room for flexibility and growth into your value-based goals. That’s why it’s essential to set aside time to review them, at least once a year.
Even the SMARTest goals do not remain the same until they are completed. Don’t be afraid to question your goals and values and shake things up every 1-2 years.
Ready to adopt goal-setting strategies that will take your business to the next level?
Check out my Goal Setting Masterclass today. Harness the power of goal-setting in your daily life. Set goals that positively impact your business and inspire you to take action.
(Image credit: Unsplash)
