I hope I don’t mix my metaphor here but imagine that you are on a yacht and know exactly where you want to go… but there is no wind. Or imagine that there is a strong wind and you don’t know where you want to go.
A lot is written about goals and little about values. In my metaphor, the goals are where you want to go and the wind is your motivation, your values. You can do your goals. You can achieve them and then move to other goals. Sometimes there is a pause between goals. You can’t achieve values.
You can’t achieve honesty and then move to another value. Values provide motivation forever. Values are the wind that fills your sails. Decide on your values before deciding on your goals.
Authenticity, Challenge, Honesty, Compassion, Generosity, Industry, Acceptance, Responsibility and Humility are just some important values that will provide life long motivation.
Specific and temporary direction will come from goals like:
* Improve your health by eating healthily
* Further your qualifications
* Earn more money
* Get a new car, house, computer
It’s back to front to set your goals in a values vacuum. The motivation will cease after the goal is achieved, if it is achieved at all. The values will provide the motivation in between goals and even provide direction without goals.
As for goals, we can just see what happens as a source of goals or create some of our own. We can identify what we want to achieve in 2011 and move to quantifiable goals. How will you measure improving health? Which qualification and by when?
How much more money in 2011?
Imagine that you have a family crest with three values written within the crest. What are they? Why not share it here with me?
