More than 55% of people who set goals for the new year abandon them before reaching them.
Are you part of that 55%? If so, I invite you to continue reading. This article seeks to help you set goals aligned with your values so that they fill you with joy and motivation instead of increasing your anxiety levels.
Meeting your goals depends largely on how realistic they are. Those goals that are too ambitious can lead to frustration.
But also, and even more important, is to make sure that these goals are aligned with your values, because otherwise you will not feel enough motivation to carry them out. And what’s worse, if you manage to hold them they won’t make you happy.
Your values ​​should be the compass that guides your life, allowing you to distinguish between what makes sense and what doesn’t. Therefore, it is clear that Before writing your New Year’s goals, it is important that you are clear about the values ​​that guide your life
If you have no idea what your values ​​are, don’t worry. In this article you will find a guide to get started. But keep in mind that there will be a therapist willing to help you in that discovery process.
Why is it important to know your values ​​before defining your goals?
With the bombardment of content that we experience through social networks, it is very easy to deviate from what we really want or what really makes us happy. Read this example and tell me if it’s not true.
You come across a post from your favorite influencer sharing her list of resolutions and you think: I also want to lose weight and buy a car next year.. You go and write it down on your resolution list.
But is that what you really want? Because if not, it is possible that when March arrives you will no longer even remember the goals you set for yourself. Or worse yet, that you hold a goal that generates more frustration than joy
The good news is that you can avoid it. And for that I am going to show you some exercises that will help you be clear about your values ​​so that you can define goals that keep you motivated and fill you with joy.
How to identify your values?
As I said before, values ​​are the compass of your life. The route you want to follow. Your values ​​may change as you go through stages in your life which is why it is important that you update them whenever you feel that something no longer feels aligned.
Some examples of values ​​would be: love, humility, sense of humor, creativity, responsibility, gratitude.
Questions to define your values
Here I recommend some questions that can help you define your values ​​so you can set realistic goals:
By answering these questions honestly you will be able to identify which values ​​are most important in your life and based on that define your goals for the next year.
What is not measured can not be improved
It’s not just about setting realistic goals. If you just write them down on paper and don’t monitor progress throughout the year, there’s a good chance you’ll forget them.
Create a monthly or quarterly ritual to evaluate how far you’ve come and where you need to reinforce. Recognize the progress you make and give yourself a small gift to celebrate. This will help you stay motivated and make the trip more fun.
You don’t have to do it alone
The process of self-discovery is not so easy for everyone, and some may feel more lost than they did before they began. Keep in mind that you can work with a therapist to guide you and accompany you to discover your values ​​to align your goals and start enjoying the life you want.
Being clear about your values ​​will not only help you achieve your goals, but also lead a purposeful life doing things that feed your heart with joy.
IPSOS (2020). Nearly two in five Americans have a New Year’s Resolution planned for 2021.
