Your Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Life You Love
Hey There, Wonder Woman!
Life can get pretty crazy, right? Between work, errands, and trying to keep up with everything, it’s easy to forget what really matters:
Your heart and soul
Your dreams
And your connections with others
I know that in my life, work and stress so easily override my ability to connect with my inner self, to live out my purpose, and to chase my dreams. It can put my relationship with my partner on mute, and send me on a downward spiral toward struggling to manage my depression. For the longest time I felt like I was being buried beneath all of my responsibilities and taking care of others.
But eventually I learned that living a full and meaningful life requires making a conscious effort on a daily basis to actively steer the little sailboat of my life – rather than being swept along on the waves of everything else.
If you’ve ever felt like something’s missing or like you’re just going through the motions in life, it’s time for a change. Let’s dive into how you can create a life you absolutely love by setting and achieving goals that actually align with your true values.
Why Goal Setting Matters
Setting goals is like having a GPS for your life—it helps you see clearly where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. It keeps you from floating along on any current, and instead helps you carve out your own path forward through life. Here’s why it’s so important:
Clarity and Focus: Goals give you a clear direction. Instead of wandering aimlessly, you know exactly what you’re aiming for.
Motivation and Drive: Goals give you something to work towards, which can be super motivating. It’s like turning your dreams into actual plans.
Personal Growth: Achieving goals often means stepping out of your comfort zone and growing as a person. It’s all about becoming your best self.
Sense of Accomplishment: Every goal you check off your list, no matter how small, gives you a confidence boost and makes you want to keep going.
Identifying Your True Values
Before you set any goals, you need to know what’s really important to you.
So many of us are stuck operating on the values that were given to us by society or by our parents. But maybe, if you’re anything like me, your values actually lie a bit off the beaten path.
If you’ve been living out values that aren’t actually aligned with your true, inner self – you’ll find yourself struggling with a feeling of nagging dissatisfaction with your life. That’s why it’s hugely important to identify your inner values and then to build your goals around those values.
Here’s how to figure it out your values:
Self-Reflection: Take some time to think about what brings you joy and fulfillment. What makes you feel alive? If you’re feeling pretty flat these days, consider the things that have lit you up in the past.
Values Assessment: Use a tool or just brainstorm to identify your core values—things like family, health, creativity, integrity, or adventure.
Prioritization: Once you’ve got your list, prioritize it. Knowing what matters most will help you set goals that really resonate with you. Try ranking out those values, and hone your list to your top 5 most important values.
While you work through identifying your values, please tune in to your intuition. It’s easy to pick out values that our society puts on a pedestal, but if they don’t resonate with you then they don’t resonate with you. You should focus on becoming who you want to be, not who you feel your should be.
So get into a quiet space to do this work, and notice the sensations in your body and mind as you consider each value. For me, the truth of myself feels like a bright glowing from my chest, and a falseness feels like a gross catching in my throat.
The SMART Goal Framework
SMART goals are all about making your dreams clear and actionable. These simple rules help guide you in crafting an effective goal, which pushes your limits without being overwhelming.
I get it – I have big dreams too. But if you make your short term goals too big and intense, you are less likely to reach them. The idea is to break things down into bite-sized pieces that you can accomplish over the long term.
Use the SMART goal framework to hammer out all the finer details of your new, values-aligned mission.
Your goal should be…
Specific: Get super clear about what you want. Instead of “I want to be healthier,” say “I want to exercise three times a week.”
Measurable: Make sure you can track your progress by having a measurable target in mind. For example, “I want to lose 10 pounds in three months.”
Achievable: Set realistic goals that push your limits but are still doable. Consider your current situation and resources. And remember that once you hit this target, you’ll be building toward the next one.
Relevant: Make sure your goal aligns with your values and long-term plans. It should be meaningful to you. (Check yourself here – does this actually align with your values?)
Time-bound: Give yourself a deadline. This creates a sense of urgency and keeps you focused, like “I want to complete a 5K run by the end of the year.” Humans require deadlines, or we tend to just do nothing.
Creating Value-Oriented Goals
Goals that align with your values are the ones that will truly make you happy. Like I said up above, if you’re living out the path that you think you’re expected to be on instead of the path that’s true to you – you will always feel fundamentally unfulfilled.
Here’s how to set them:
Align Goals with Values: Once you’ve identified your values, set goals that reflect them. For example, if health is a core value, aim to adopt a balanced diet and regular exercise routine.
Break Down Big Goals: Big goals can be intimidating. Break them down into smaller, manageable steps. This makes them less daunting and keeps you motivated.
Create a Vision Board: Visualize your goals with a vision board. Include images, quotes, and words that inspire you. Place it somewhere you’ll see it daily to help keep you motivated.
Overcoming Obstacles and Staying Motivated
Let’s be real, reaching your goals won’t always be a walk in the park. It’s really easy to start off with a burst of excitement, only to peter out about 21 days later. (New Years’ resolutions, anyone?)
But you can help your future self stay on track with a little upfront planning for motivation and success.
Here’s how to stay on track:
Anticipate Potential Challenges: Think about what might get in your way and plan how to overcome those obstacles. Maybe it’s seeking support from friends or adjusting your timeline. Maybe it’s meal prepping.
Stay Flexible: Life happens, and sometimes you’ll need to adjust your goals. Stay flexible and adapt to changes without losing sight of what’s important. Consistency is more important to perfection when it comes to valuable accomplishments in life.
Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate every little bit of progress. This keeps you motivated and encourages you to keep going. Plan for how and when you will celebrate.
Seek Support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s a mentor, coach, or support group, having someone to guide and encourage you can make a huge difference. Knowing that there’s another human rooting for you and gently expecting you to get the thing done makes you much more likely to actually do it.
Try Coaching for Free
Creating a life you love is a journey, and you don’t have to do it alone. I’m inviting you to sign up for a free 30-minute call with me. During this session, we’ll explore your goals, values, and aspirations. This no-strings-attached call is an opportunity for you to experience the benefits of coaching firsthand and take a step towards living a vibrant and passionate life. Sign up here.
Your Next Step
Setting and achieving goals that align with your true values is the key to creating a life you love. By taking the time to identify your values, using the SMART goal framework, creating value-oriented goals, and then staying motivated through obstacles, you can design a fulfilling and joyful life. Take the first step today and sign up for your free 30-minute coaching call. Together, we can embark on a journey to create the life you’ve always dreamed of.
