The Relationship Between Goals and Values

Why? Because when the goals align with the values, they are more achievable. They become the stepping stones that get you where you want to go.

So, let’s delve a little deeper into the relationship between goals and values, and how you can ensure they align.

Values and goals– a definition

Values – Put simply, values are what we stand for. They are the inevitable direction we move in throughout life and business.

Often these values are incorporated within the Vision and Mission statements that we create for a business, but they are not necessarily one and the same.

Goals – On the other hand, goals are what we want to see happen. They are the milestones we need to reach on the journey of business and life.

Goals are not idle wish lists that we cast into the ether, they are milestones that we then apply actions to in a bid to ensure they are met.

The process

In business we look at goals from the perspective of the entrepreneur’s personal values, the business’ values and the vision and mission of what you ultimately hope to achieve.

That means, when setting goals we often ask questions that span both the personal and the professional, like:

•      What are your top three goals in life, right now?
•      What are your five most important values?
•      What is your favourite thing to do? (That gives you the most personal satisfaction)
•      What would you be doing if you were NOT worried about money?
•      What have you always wanted to do but for whatever reason, failed to try?
•      What would you do if there was no fear of failing? (You could not fail)

When we look at goals within the context of values can we ensure they are achievable and work to take your business in the direction you want to go.

Turning goals into actions

Setting goals is not the end of the process. We then need to make them actionable habits that can be achieved.

To do this we need to write those goals down and plan exactly the process required so they can be achieved.

At this stage it’s also useful to assess whether our goals are SMART – as in Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic and Timely.

This process of assessing our goals, writing them down, then measuring them and evaluating them allows us to form good habits, in the knowledge the actions we repeat time and again add up to get us where we want to go.

As the saying goes, “persistence overcomes resistance”.

The final word

Values are essential in both business and personal life, and whether we are aware of it or not, they drive almost everything we hope to achieve.

That’s why it’s so critical to consider them in the goal setting process. If our goals do not align with our values, these milestones will inevitably take us of course, be harder to achieve and see us digress from the ultimate vision of the future.