The start of a new year always feels like the perfect time to set fresh intentions and goals. There’s something energizing about turning the page on the calendar. However, the truth is, anytime can be a good time to pause, reflect, and plan for personal growth. Whether you’re starting fresh in January or finding your stride mid-year, aligning your goals with your core values is the key to lasting transformation.
Check out the Volta Collective podcast episode discussing values!
Understanding Core Values
Core values are the guiding principles that shape your decisions, behavior and sense of purpose. They’re the “why” behind what matters most to you. When your actions align with your values, life feels more fulfilling and intentional. Identifying these values isn’t always straightforward—it takes reflection and honesty to uncover what truly drives you.
Practical Exercises to Identify Your Values
Reflect on peak experiences
Think about the moments in your life when you felt most fulfilled or proud. What was happening? Who were you with? Why did it matter? These experiences often reveal the values you hold most dear, like connection, achievement, or creativity.
Values Sorting
Write down a list of common values (e.g., honesty, freedom, family, health, creativity). Then sort them into three categories: “Essential,” “Important,” and “Less Important.” From the “Essential” list, narrow it down to your top 3–5 values. These are your core principles.
The “Mirror Test”
Ask yourself, “If someone described me in one word, what would I want it to be?” Words like “empathy,” “resilience,” or “innovation” can provide clues to your values.
Examine Your Calendar and Spending
Look at how you’ve spent your time and money recently. These choices often highlight your true priorities, whether it’s relationships, learning, or self-care.
Introduction to SMART Goals
Once you’ve identified your values, it’s time to turn them into actionable plans. This is where SMART goals come in.
SMART goals are:
Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
Measurable: Include a way to track progress.
Achievable: Set a goal that is realistic.
Relevant: Ensure it aligns with your values.
Time-bound: Give yourself a deadline.
For example, if one of your core values is health, a vague goal like “get in shape” can feel overwhelming. A SMART goal, on the other hand, might be: “Exercise three times a week for 30 minutes, focusing on strength training, by March 31.”
Aligning Values with Goals
To truly make progress, your goals should reflect your values. Here are some examples:
Value: Family
SMART Goal: Schedule weekly family dinners every Sunday evening for the next three months.
Value: Growth
SMART Goal: Complete an online course in leadership development by the end of the quarter.
Value: Creativity
SMART Goal: Dedicate one hour every Saturday to work on a personal art project through April.
By aligning goals with values, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated and focused.
Ready to get started? Here’s your roadmap:
Identify Your Values: Use the exercises above to uncover your core principles.
Set One SMART Goal: Choose one value and create a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goal that reflects it.
Track Your Progress: Check in weekly or monthly to assess how well you’re aligning your actions with your intentions.
Reflection Journal Prompts
As you work toward your goals, use these prompts to reflect on your progress:
Did my actions this month align with my core values?
What goals did I move closer to, and what challenges did I face?
What adjustments can I make moving forward?
What choices felt out of alignment, and how can I address them?
What situations challenge me to stay true to my values, and how can I respond better?
Other Tips
Break larger goals into smaller milestones and set reminders to assess your progress. Use these reminders as an opportunity to celebrate wins and re-align if needed.
Share your goals and values with a trusted friend, family member or coach.
Schedule regular check-ins to discuss or journal about your progress and challenges.
Create a vision board or write your values/goals somewhere visible, like on your desk or a digital wallpaper. Seeing these reminders daily helps keep you focus and aligned.
At the start of each week, identify one small action or habit that aligns with a core value. Reflect at the end of the week: did this action contribute to my overall goals and values?
Conclusion
We’re so excited about the opportunities a new year brings and continuing to explore ways to live more intentionally. The path to a more purposeful life starts with understanding what truly matters to you. By identifying your core values and setting smart goals, you can create a life that feels aligned and fulfilling. Whether it’s January or July, there’s no better time to take that first step — your future self will thank you!
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