Goal setting and the distinction between goals and values

Chapter 3

Goal setting

Goal setting is an important aspect for anyone to be successful. Goal setting enables you 

to achieve your tasks in an organized fashion and within the limited time frame. 

Therefore, it is important that goals are set very carefully. Proper planning is needed for 

goal setting otherwise one can lost their focus and get side tracked. When you have set 

your goals, you would not only feel confident about the work you are doing, but you 

would also prioritize what needs are to be fulfilled first. These raise your motivation and 

self esteem and you have a positive outlook towards the work that you are doing. 

While setting goals or even planning for them, you have to make sure that your goals are 

SMART. That means, they should be:

Specific – i.e. to the point 

Measurable – i.e. you can judge how much of the goal is accomplished 

Attainable – i.e. they should be within your potential of achievement

Realistic – i.e. they should be practically achievable and not something which is vague

Timely – i.e. there should be a time frame in which these goals should be achieved

So, having a SMART approach while setting goals would make you identify the 

loopholes, gauge yourself and help you achieve your goals easily. These goals would 

help you climb the ladder of success in slow but concrete steps. 

When you have a large goal to achieve, make sure that you divide it into smaller goals 

which seem easy to achieve. For instance, if you have to submit an important report

within a deadline, set smaller goals which would help you achieve your larger goals. In 

this case, steps such as hypothesis, data collection, result analysis and compilation can be 

the smaller steps which would help to achieve the goal of report submission. Deadlines 

should always be associated with smaller goals too so that as you cross them, you are 

aware of your progress and the work done. 

The major part of goal setting is that it should not be rigid. Goals should be set such that 

they are attainable and flexible. Flexibility doesn’t mean to be very lenient with the goals, 

but rather, you should perk up your goal plan as you go along with it. Perking it up would 

make you correct the problems which you face in the implementation of your goal plan. 

So, time your goals well, perk them up regularly and plan them according to your 

priorities so that you don’t end up losing the game.

There are many types of goals that you can set such as, professional goals, creative goals, 

personal goals, family goals, educational goals, financial goals and so on. By categorizing 

your lifetime goals, you would be able to make sure that nothing is left out. Line up your 

goals so that you know what to prioritize first and when to execute it.

Goal setting not only helps you plan your life, but it also enables you to ensure that you 

are in control of your life. Setting smart goals this way ensures their timely completion as 

well as reduces your stress levels.

The distinction between Goals and Values

You might find interesting to know that everyone in this world is administered by values. 

Our values and beliefs are reflected through the decisions we make to lead our lives 

effectively. We adopt certain values from our family, sometimes society or at times we 

just have them within us. Positive values can be adopted at any pace of life, make sure 

the value to pursue has a positive, strong and integral effect on your life. Since you move 

within a society it’s necessary to espouse such values that meet the demands of society.

Prior to any other discussion you need to know the difference between values and goals. 

Values are not goals; however they are inter-related with goals and are highly dependant 

on them. Goals reflect targets whereas positive values form base of a successful life. You 

need some basis to lead your life, some beliefs and deeds that drive and support the 

purpose of your decisions. Effective values always influence your decisions positively 

and help you choose the right path to success. 

While dealing with our clients, we make sure he is aware of the effectiveness of positive 

values and is highly articulated with them. Jotting down the values is a good way to 

preserve them in our lives.

Thinking for ways to kill your time in bright sunny days, writing about right and wrong 

decisions you have made in your past, considering the aspects of excitement and 

motivation in your life or pondering about the actions that may add stability provides you 

edges to realize what actuality values possesses in your life. Moreover you will be clear 

to differentiate between positive and negative values that influence your life.

You further need to know that your jotting of values should be in present tense rather in 

past for instance write “I am stable financially” more willingly than “I will be stable 

financially”.

All you need is to classify your values and jot them according to your priority. While 

writing I am stable financially, you can add other values like “I pay my liabilities on time, 

at the end of the month I am able to save some amount and I review my insurance 

regularly” 

You can state your values to the areas of family, friends, community, morals, education, 

career, health, finances and recreation. Jotting your values and further classifying them 

might take time but once you are through this course, you will surely be clear about what 

your values are and how they influence your actions.

Don’t hesitate in giving time to identify your values since they are the basis on which you 

set up your goals. You become clear on what values have influenced your life positively 

and negatively as well. At times when you are in state of making a life time decision you 

definitely need a clear vision of your potentials. You already have your values there in 

your mind but writing them down on a piece of paper will surely help you classify them 

and set your priorities accordingly.