Last week we looked at how value based goal setting can enable your health and wellbeing. This week we will take a look at some ways to think differently about setting value based goals.
Take a moment to reflect on the questions from last week and then write down about 10 things you would like to start doing again and people you would like to reconnect with. If you have more don’t feel you have to be limited to just 10. Allow yourself to list as many things as possible.
However, you don’t have to do everything on your list at the same time!
It is useful to see your thoughts down on paper – or on the screen – and start planning some time in your diary.
Look at the list you made, sit in quiet reflection for a moment and allow yourself to connect with what you have written.
- What activities or people are you drawn to?
- How do you feel about them?
- Do they light you up?
Finding what lights you up is an important part of values based goal setting. When you are excited about something, you will find yourself connecting to it more. You will have the energy to commit your time to achieving such goals. You will enjoy being around people who share your passions and interests.
There will be times when you may not feel like accomplishing goals or connecting with people. Plan your activities around your energy times. What days of the week are you more energetic and focused? Are you someone who likes to do things in the morning, the afternoon, or are you a night owl?
Scheduling your activities at the times you are at you peak energy will mean you are more likely to feel excited about them. You will be motivated to stick to those goals and accomplish them.
When you look at your list, some activities may be outside of your comfort zone. Don’t look upon this in fear, but an opportunity to expand your life into other directions. Fear is a normal part of change and self-discovery, but it can lead you towards an exciting future.
Values based goals often lead you towards stepping outside your comfort zone and challenging yourself to be the person you maybe were meant to be. Pushing passed the fear can be uncomfortable but if you discover something that truly lights you up then your life will become richer and more abundant.
By pursuing goals that mean something to you will allow you to develop a healthy relationship with goal setting. Goals will become easier to accomplish and not just an expectation of others.
Values based goals are those which grow inside you and can change as you grow so that you are always in pursuit of something that is meaningful to you.