Connect With Values and Goals

In a recent Psychology Today article, “How to Connect with Your Values”, by Steven Hayes, Ph.D. one is encouraged to connect with their values.  Dr. Hayes suggests that distinguishing between values and goals can give one increased direction, meaning and motivation.

Hayes defines goals as finite achievements.  He believes that once you reach goals, you have completed the task.

In contrast, he says that values are qualities of “being” and “doing”.  They provide people with direction.  Values help you focus energy.  They  provide you with additional  motivation and fulfillment.

Many people experience pain along life’s journey.  The challenges people endure become much easier to manage when they fall in line with a person’s goals and values.

He suggests the following exercises to identify one’s values.

Exercise 1 – is based on Kelly G. Wilson’s Valued Living Questionnaire.  We are encouraged to consider the following life areas and rate them according to their importance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 is less important and 10 is highly important).

Remember, there are not right or wrong answers.  You are answering for yourself, adhering to your own values.

___  Marriage, Couples, Intimate Relationships

___  Parenting

___  Friends, Social Life

___  Work

___  Education, Training

___  Recreation, Fun

___  Spirituality

___  Citizenship, Community

___  Physical Self-Care

___  Environmental Concerns

___  Art, Creative Expression, Aesthetics

Exercise 2 – Rate Your Consistency

Look at the areas above once more, but this time rate yourself on how consistent your actions have been with your values.

Exercise 3 – Write Down Your Values

Look at your answers from the previous exercises.  Identify the high, low and middle score areas for importance and actions.  Write down your answers  in each of the areas.  Consider the questions in each area.

What do I care about in this area?

What do I want to do in this area that reflects my caring?

What can I do to manifest this value more in my life?

According to Hayes, writing down values can positively  influence your health and behavior.  He indicates that knowing your values and living in a way that is congruent with them is fulfilling.  He believes it is important to connect with values and goals.  He thinks it isn’t a single choice, but a life-long challenge.

For more information, please see the full article in Psychology Today.

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