March 3rd, 2018
The Difference Between Values and Goals
People often use the words "value" and "goal" interchangeably.
But they are not the same thing.
Goal are finite, achievable, concrete.
There have endpoints and can be cross off the list, so to speak, once they are achieved.
You don't "achieve" a value, but you can express a value and live in line with a value.
For example, you might value education
Your goal might be to get a PhD in Neuroscience from Harvard.
But just because you cannot or do not achieve that goal for whatever reason, does not mean that you cannot express and live out your value of education in other ways.
And if you do accomplish that goal, it doesn't mean that education stops being important and that you no longer seek ways to integrate it into your life.
And, importantly, values are personal. They are not influenced by what others value or what they want you to value. They are the things that bring meaning to your life.
There are also no "good" and "bad" values. There is no moral hierarchy. Valuing service isn't "better" than valuing fun or vice versa.
Get clear about your values.
Brainstorm and write about them and make sure that you differentiate them from your goals.
Exercise:
Rank your top 10 values.
Now think about your life and how you spend your days.
How are your expressing your values? Are you waiting until ______ before you start? Does the way in which you live reflect the things you value as well as their hierarchy (in terms of how much time/ effort/ etc. you devote to them?
The Difference Between Values and Goals
People often use the words "value" and "goal" interchangeably.
But they are not the same thing.
Goal are finite, achievable, concrete.
There have endpoints and can be cross off the list, so to speak, once they are achieved.
You don't "achieve" a value, but you can express a value and live in line with a value.
For example, you might value education
Your goal might be to get a PhD in Neuroscience from Harvard.
But just because you cannot or do not achieve that goal for whatever reason, does not mean that you cannot express and live out your value of education in other ways.
And if you do accomplish that goal, it doesn't mean that education stops being important and that you no longer seek ways to integrate it into your life.
And, importantly, values are personal. They are not influenced by what others value or what they want you to value. They are the things that bring meaning to your life.
There are also no "good" and "bad" values. There is no moral hierarchy. Valuing service isn't "better" than valuing fun or vice versa.
Get clear about your values.
Brainstorm and write about them and make sure that you differentiate them from your goals.
Exercise:
Rank your top 10 values.
Now think about your life and how you spend your days.
How are your expressing your values? Are you waiting until ______ before you start? Does the way in which you live reflect the things you value as well as their hierarchy (in terms of how much time/ effort/ etc. you devote to them?
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