Hello dear friend,
How are you?
I have been getting through this week only by God’s grace. Many challenges made it feel rough, but then I remembered that I had a bigger source of strength- The Holy Spirit. I plugged in and managed to get to the end in one piece, with peace in my heart and hope for yet another week.
The word seems to be falling apart literally; we are more divided than ever before, and being forced to take sides on things we have no expertise in.
I urge you today to focus on what is in front of you: the people you love, the work your hands have been blessed with, and your devotion to your spiritual practices. Understanding who you are and embodying it for whatever it is has become more important now than ever.
What do you believe in truly? Can you articulate it? Can you pass on that belief to the next generation?
Think on these things
“Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
We are constantly being pulled apart by information, which in itself is not bad, but when we become addicted, it sets itself up as a snare to capture the less conscious, the less discerning, the less intentional.
Nothing good comes out of the lack of control of information; we lose so much time, relationships, energy, and health to mindless pursuits.
Distractions are constant; it can be easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We set life goals with enthusiasm but often find ourselves feeling unfulfilled, despite achieving those goals. The missing link? Alignment with our core values.
Without this connection, success feels hollow, and progress becomes unsatisfying. If you’re looking to live a more intentional and fulfilling life, it’s time to align your life goals with your values. Here’s how you can do it.
One day, I went through my social media and deleted everything that didn’t align with my values. Yes, I was ruthless because I found out that, in the things you want “for entertainment”, you won’t be able to control the content that is sent your way on a bad day.
It worked for me, maybe it will for you. Go through the accounts you follow, unfollow everybody that doesn’t fit into your values.
Everything you consume through your eyes and ears will lead to life or death; they either help you grow or kill you. It happens slowly, the seed starts to sprout and grow into giant trees.
See who you add back in a week.
Take note of it.
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Why it Matters
Values guide your decisions, behaviors, and actions; they are the unspoken rules by which you live. They are the running commentary in the background of your dressing, your friendships, your spousal relationships, your parenting, and your work ethics.
They represent what truly matters to you in life. When your life goals are aligned with your values, you feel more driven, fulfilled, and at peace with your journey.
The disconnect between values and goals often leads to burnout, frustration, and a sense of emptiness, even when you achieve what you thought you wanted.
I remember telling you guys earlier this year, when I had a job where I felt disconnected from the soul of the team, and it just hit wrong.
There was a lot of dishonesty daily in my interactions with colleagues, and it led me straight into the realm of burnout. I still wish I had spoken up sooner about it.
When your values and goals are in harmony, every step you take feels meaningful. Your goals act as stepping stones toward becoming the person you want to be, creating a sense of purpose and satisfaction along the way. The picture seems more doable because every day you are building it, brick by brick.
Step 1: Name Your Core Values
The first step to aligning your life goals with your values is to identify what those values are. It’s easy to assume that we know what we value, but truly understanding our core values requires reflection.
Ask yourself:
- What do I care about most in life?
- What do I want to stand for?
- What qualities do I admire in others?
- What makes me feel proud of myself?
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To help, here’s a list of common values you might consider:
- Integrity
- Compassion
- Freedom
- Growth
- Family
- Health
- Creativity
- Adventure
- Financial Security
Take your time to reflect on these questions and make a list of the values that resonate most with you. Narrow it down to a handful of core values that truly define who you are and what you believe in. Rank them, then re-rank and keep ranking until you have a top 3.
Step 2: Assess Your Current Life Goals
Now that you’ve identified your core values, take a look at your current life goals. Are they aligned with your values, or do they feel disconnected from what truly matters to you?
For example, if your top value is health, but your primary goal is to work 60-hour weeks to advance in your career, you might be heading toward burnout. Or, if family is your top value, but your goals focus solely on financial success without considering your loved ones, you might feel disconnected and unfulfilled. I urge you to take a pause and be truly honest here.
When you find yourself becoming defensive, excusing your lack of presence in your family as a way to earn more to actually provide. Pause, breathe, ask yourself again.
What truly matters to me?
Who told me I am not valuable if I don’t have lots of money?
Is this a true statement?
Take stock of your personal and professional goals and assess whether they align with your values. If they don’t, that’s okay! This is your opportunity to reframe and redirect your efforts.
Step 3: Reevaluate Your Goals
Once you’ve identified the misalignment between your goals and your values, it’s time to make adjustments. Re-evaluating and adjusting your goals is a crucial step in creating a life that’s both fulfilling and true to your values.
Let’s break it down into actionable steps:
- Set Specific, Value-Driven Goals: Instead of setting generic or traditional goals like “get promoted at work,” align your goals with your values. For example, if growth is a value, your goal might be “to learn a new skill that expands my professional expertise.” Name a skill, a field, and an exact capability you want to reach, and connect it to a larger context in your values.
- Ensure Consistency with Values: Every goal you set should reflect the values you’ve identified. If creativity is a value, your goal could be “to dedicate 30 minutes daily to creative expression” rather than simply focusing on financial gain. Visualize it, start working towards it, and it will become a reality soon.
- Balance Personal and Professional Goals: Many people focus solely on career-oriented goals, but it’s important to balance them with personal values like family or health. For example, instead of working long hours at the expense of family, set a goal to “spend quality time with family every weekend” while still advancing in your career.
It is possible to communicate this to stakeholders and reach an agreement, and review this often together. Discard pride and guilt here; they are not useful.
Step 4: Create an Action Plan
Aligning your goals with your values requires action. Once your values are clearly defined and your goals are set, break them down into smaller, actionable steps. Here’s how to create an action plan:
- Set clear milestones: Break down each goal into smaller, manageable milestones. For example, if your goal is to prioritize health, set smaller milestones like “exercise 3 times a week” or “meal prep on Sundays.”
- Create a timeline: Attach realistic timeframes to each milestone. This ensures that you are staying on track and making consistent progress.
- Track your progress: Regularly assess how well you’re aligning with your values and adjusting as necessary. Keep a journal or use an app to track progress and setbacks. Find friends who may be on a similar journey, open a new group, yes, another one. 🤣
Step 5: Stay Flexible and Reassess
Life is constantly changing, and your values may evolve over time. Regularly reassess your goals and values to ensure they remain aligned. Be open to adjusting your goals as life circumstances shift, but always keep your values at the core of your decisions.
If you notice a misalignment at any point, don’t be afraid to pivot and realign your goals. This flexibility ensures that you continue to live a purposeful and intentional life.
Step 6: Surround Yourself with Support
It’s easier to align your goals with your values when you have the right support system around you. Surround yourself with people who share similar values, or who can help hold you accountable to your goals. Whether it’s a mentor, a friend, or a group of like-minded individuals, having a support system makes it easier to stay true to your values and achieve your goals.
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Step 7: Practice Self-Reflection
Lastly, self-reflection is key to ensuring that you’re continuously aligning your goals with your values. Take time regularly to check in with yourself. Ask questions like:
- Am I still aligned with my values?
- What goals have I achieved that reflect my values?
- What adjustments do I need to make moving forward?
By taking the time for regular self-reflection, you can ensure that you stay on track and continue to live a life that’s in line with your core values.
“An unexamined life is not worth living”
– Socrates
Conclusion
Aligning your life goals with your values is not a one-time task—it’s an ongoing process of self-discovery, adjustment, and growth. When your goals reflect your values, every step you take feels more meaningful, and you’ll find yourself moving toward a life that truly resonates with you.
You will start and fail, but please always start again; that is the DNA of growth.
Until next time, stay authentic.
Stay resilient, and continue to honour your needs.
Live wholeheartedly,
Amaka
