Match Your Values
Our values represent how we want to live our lives - i.e., what we stand for, how we want to project ourselves to others, and how we want to be remembered when we are long gone. They connect us to our underlying principles and philosophies. Values are important to us, and as such guide our decisions and behaviour. Therefore, it is vital that you create goals that are aligned with your values.
If your goals or accompanying actions do not match your values, this can lead to internal conflict, as the goal (and/or your actions) is taking you away from the person that you want to be. For example, if you value stability and the security of home life, you may feel uncomfortable chasing a goal that requires you to travel and compete in competitions abroad for long periods of time.
We all have our own unique values. What makes one person feel uncomfortable could make another person feel happy. E.g., a person who values adventure would welcome travel and be motivated to achieve a goal that allows them to compete abroad.
A goal should bring you closer to the person you want to be. It's important to live a life that is consistent with your values, to ensure you maximise your energy and satisfaction towards achieving your goals.
What are your values?
Ask yourself:
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What is important to you?
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Who inspires you?
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What values do you attribute to them?
The following is a list of possible values. It is not an exhaustive list and you can add to it. Initially you can select your top 10 values, but reduce your list to your 5 most important, and rank them in order from 1 to 5.
Passion
Trustworthy
Respect
Caring
Patience
Dedication
Effort
Sacrifice
Tolerance
Selfless
Spontaneity
Playful
Ethical
Security
Honesty
Health
Kindness
Wealth
Security
Integrity
Friendship
Success
Peace
Creativity
Justice
Courage
Careful
Stability
Learning
Achievement
Sincerity
Love
Perfection
Independence
Determination
Adventurous
Intelligence
Selfish
Loyalty
Compassion
Consistency
Growth
Perseverance
Charitable
Responsible
Forgiveness
Dependability
Commitment
Positivity
Reliable
Open Minded
Optimism
Educated
Supportive
Decisive
Freedom
When you have established your goals, check your goals to ensure they align with your chosen values. It is also useful to remind yourself of your values at the start of every morning, to make sure the behaviour/activities you have planned for the day match your values. You will gain a great level of satisfaction at the end of the day, with the knowledge that you have behaved in a manner that is important to you.
