Last week, we posted about the language we use to define our goals. This week, we want to talk about the purpose and depth behind your goals. So we ask you do your goals reflect your values?

Take a look at the list of goals you’ve written down so far. Let’s examine them a little more closely.

What language do you use to write your goals? Are you using “I want to…” or “I think…” or are you using more solid language like “I will…” or “I am…”? The types of words you use can much more likely drive you to achieving them, so remember to use solid language*!

Have you set a deadline for accomplishing your goal? “By March 1…” or “By my wedding date…” – setting deadlines for achieving your goals place urgency for action.

Do you set a purpose for your goal? “By March 1, I will attend CrossFit classes five times/week because physical activity is necessary for improving my health; my health is a priority for myself and my family.” Use “because” to expand on why you want to accomplish that goal.

After these three steps when setting goals, we build a strong foundation for the what we want to accomplish, by when we want to achieve it, and for what reason it is important to us.

Taking a look at your newly revised goals, something to reflect upon is if these goals reflect your values–what is important to you, and furthermore, if your daily actions are in alignment with what is important to you.

This week when you are writing or revising your goals, use the three steps above to give your goals more depth, and purpose, so that as you put in the work each day towards that goal, you are always rooted back to what’s important to you, and not what you want to achieve for someone else, or what might be valuable to the next person you see on your social media feed.

 

*Goal-setting language inspired by Michael Bledsoe, from Barbell Collective