How to Align Your Goals with Your Values and Live Authentically
It’s easy to set goals that reflect external expectations. But it’s essential to set authentic goals. Goals that reflect who you really are, especially when you feel disconnected from yourself.
When you feel like you’re living your life for others, it can be hard to define what it is that you want and need. So you set goals that help others go further but do nothing for yourself.
This is actually very normal because, as humans, we want to fit into the society that surrounds us…to be liked and admired. We want to feel a part of our community. When we don’t have that feeling, we start to look for what we can change in order to fit in. We don’t stop to think that we could change our community.
Setting personal goals can feel selfish and inconsiderate because they don’t align with what others expect or want from you…but it’s honestly the most self-less thing you can do.
When you are aligned with yourself and working towards your own happiness, in a heart-centered authentic way, you can only help those around you find their true path.
Why It Matters To Align Your Goals With Your Values
One way to get reconnected to yourself is to take an honest assessment of your values and interests.
Who do you admire?
How do you want to be?
What do you want to be doing?
Where are your happy places?
What is your motivation to be and do (the why you are motivated in this direction)?
Then take a look around and see if what you’re doing and thinking is in alignment to what you want in your life.
Your life’s path starts with your thoughts. As Henry Ford said, “If you think you can or you think you can’t…you’re right.” Your thoughts become what you say. What you say becomes what you do. What you do becomes who you are.
The power of changing your thoughts is an amazing one. I’ve lived this truth firsthand. By changing my thoughts, I was able to change my life trajectory from one of active addiction to a life of recovery. By shifting my perspective and thoughts I was able to move from a life where “everyone was at fault” for my miserable existence to taking ownership of and building a life I’m excited about and look forward to.
Taking Action To Set Authentic Goals
When your thoughts are moving in a direction that is aligned with your values and interests, it is inevitable that your speech and body will follow.
But it takes action. There are many people who talk a big game, but never take any real action. Setting goals that are aligned and really doing the work is what sets people apart.
There will be those around you who will try to hold you in place, keep you in the little box that they’re comfortable with. They won’t understand why you want to change. They are just fearful, it has nothing to do with you or who you really want to be.
Once you’re on your authentic path, the people around you have the opportunity to choose if they want to watch, join, or leave. As you move towards your most authentic life, you show them the possibilities for their own lives. But you cannot make them join you.
Align Your Goals With Your Values To Inspire Others
When you stop living by external expectations and start living by your own, you will shine a light and inspire those who are interested to do the same. It’s amazing to see who shows up to cheerlead and walk alongside you. And the players will change over time, but they are always the ones that will help and support as you move along your journey.
Your journey forward doesn’t have to be guided by what others expect. When you align your goals with your values, you create a roadmap that feels natural, motivating, and real. If you’re ready to take this one step further, download my free SCAMP Infographic. It’s a simple but powerful framework that helps you design goals rooted in your true self, goals you’ll actually be excited to achieve.