Discovering the Value behind the Goal

In one of my previous articles, I talked about setting our goal in life. I mentioned something about the importance of stating our goal positively, because, our brain only understands and processes positive instructions. Today, I’d like to relate our stated goal to our value.

First of all, we need to understand the meaning of values. So, what are values? In a simplest definition, values are what are important to us. They are what we consider important in our life. They are simply the principles behind our actions. They drive our actions. Examples of values are like: love, honesty, fun, health, respect, freedom, loyalty, wealth, integrity, security, and friendship.

Now, what is the connection between our goal and value? We all agree, that when we state our goal in life, we will choose the goal that is worthwhile, won’t we? So how do we know that our goal is worthwhile? Our goal is worthwhile, when it aligns with our values. Because the value is the real reason behind the goal. It will keep us going when we are discouraged. It is what motivates us to achieve our goal. In fact, all goals are generated by values. It is crucial that we respect the value that generated the goal in the first place in the actions that we take to achieve it. We must live the value in the journey on the way to the goal.

So, how do we find our values? First, think about our goal, say, in the next 10 years. Remember, we must express it positively. For example, I want to achieve financial freedom 10 years from now. Then, start asking questions like: what is important to me about achieving financial freedom? What do I get out of achieving financial freedom? We will come up with another goal or value as our answer to those questions. Let’s say, my answer to what is important to me about achieving financial freedom is I will have peace of mind. Now, ask ourselves with the same types of questions, using our answer to the previous questions. What do I get out of having peace of mind? For example, I will have financial security. Continue this process until we arrive at something really, really important. This is the value behind the goal. We know that we arrive at something really, really important, when we have a strong feeling with the answer. So, when I ask myself repeatedly about the importance of having financial security, I might finally arrive at something like: I grow. The word growth brings a very strong feeling inside me. So, this is my value behind my goal.

After we know the importance of finding the value behind the goal, and we know how to find it, try it out. Write down your own goal in your life. Then, discover the value behind your goal using the types of questions I have shown you.

Remember: start finding our value behind our goal. When we already know our value, we will get motivated to achieve it. Live our values in the journey on the way to the goal. That way, we will turbo boost the chance to meet the goal.