How to Set Achievable Goals (That Align With Your Values)

Setting Achievable Goals That Align With Your Values: 5 Steps

How to Connect Your Goals and Values

Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting attainable goals that align with your values.

1. Take stock of your values.

To connect your goals and values, you first need to know exactly what your values are. If you’re not sure, take some time to build this self-understanding. In many of our programs, we do an exercise with participants to help them figure this out using our Values Explorer™ card deck tool, which helps them reflect on and better understand their personal priorities.

As you explore, examine what matters most to you across 4 facets of your life — career, self, family, and community — and consider how you’re living out your values in each of those areas. (In our Leadership Development Program (LDP)®, we explore this idea with participants and offer them the visual of a “button” connecting these 4 life areas together in holistic leadership.)

You might ask yourself: How do you spend your time and energy? What are you passionate about? What do you need to do more of? What should you cut back on? What’s missing?

Take time to process your thoughts and feelings, and consider any feedback you’ve been given, such your 360 results. Gaining this perspective will give you some ideas about what you might want to change or improve. List 5 things you’d like to do better or differently within a particular facet of your life. Write them down as possible values-based goals for yourself to pursue.

2. Focus.

To make sure you’re setting achievable goals, select just one facet out of the 4 to focus on first, and look at your list of things to work on. Prioritize what’s most important to you, so you ensure you’re living with greater intention, both at work and at home.

Then, actually write down your aspiration, adding enough detail to turn this values-based goal into a SMART goal:

• Specific: Include as much detail as possible.
• Measurable: Identify quantitative targets for tracking your progress and results.
• Attainable: Make sure it’s possible to achieve the desired result.
• Realistic: Acknowledge the practical requirements necessary to accomplish the goal.
• Time-Limited: Specify the timeframe, and build in deadlines along the way.

3. Plan.

This is key to ensure you succeed at attaining your goals. Break down your SMART goal into small, specific steps that will move you in the right direction. Begin by listing at least one action to take in the next week. Schedule a time to do it. Then, really do it! This is the key for turning your intentions into reality.

4. Enlist support.

Think about family, friends, or co-workers whom you can inform of your new goal and ask for the different types of support you might need. They can help hold you accountable for making progress. Carefully select whom you tell and when you tell them, so as not to undermine your motivation or progress.

5. Revisit.

Each week or month, set aside time to assess how you’re doing against your goal, keeping a focus on your values. Decide what additional actions you’ll take toward achieving your goal. Reevaluate your priorities and set new milestones as needed.

A Closing Word on Values-Based Goal Setting

Yes, this process takes time. Choosing and planning your goals — and making sure your goals and values are aligned — is hard work. But by spending the time to connect your goals and values, you’ll find greater purpose in leadership and increased satisfaction in your daily personal and professional life.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Build your team’s capacity for setting achievable goals that align with your organization’s values with a customized learning journey for your leaders using our research-backed modules. Available leadership topics include Accountability, Authenticity, Emotional Intelligence, Influence Skills, Self-Awareness, and more.