Aligning Goals to Personal Values: How to Stop Chasing the Wrong Success

Ever set a goal, work your tail off to achieve it, and then… feel nothing?

You hit the milestone. You should feel accomplished. But instead, you feel meh.

Why?

Because not all goals are created equal. If your goals aren’t aligned with your values, they’re just a glorified to-do list.

We’re told to set SMART goals. Make them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. But here’s the thing: if a goal isn’t meaningful to you, does it really matter how SMART it is?

The Problem with Random Goal-Setting

A lot of us set goals based on:

✔️ What we think we should do

✔️ What sounds impressive on LinkedIn

✔️ What someone else told us would be a “good move”

And then, we wonder why we feel stuck, uninspired, or disconnected from the life we’re building.

Take Sarah, for example. She set a goal to get promoted. More money, more responsibility—seemed like a no-brainer. She put in the work, got the title bump, and then… she hated it. Because what she really valued was flexibility and creativity, not sitting in endless meetings and writing reports.

Sarah didn’t fail at her goal. Her goal failed her.
How to Align Goals with Personal Values

If you want goals that actually fuel your growth (instead of just adding more work to your plate), you have to start with your values.

1. Define Your Core Values

Your values are the non-negotiables in your life. The things that truly matter to you—not what society, your job, or your third cousin twice removed thinks you should care about.

 What do you prioritize when making big decisions?

➡️ What kind of person do you want to be?

➡️ What energizes you and makes you feel alive?

Common core values include:

🔹 Freedom

🔹 Integrity

🔹 Creativity

🔹 Connection

🔹 Learning

🔹 Adventure

🔹 Contribution

Your values = your personal GPS. If your goals don’t line up with them, you’re driving in the wrong direction.

2. Run Your Goals Through the Values Filter

Before you commit to a goal, ask yourself:

“Does this move me closer to the life I want, or just keep me busy?”

Example:

🎯 Goal: Run a marathon. Sounds impressive, right?

✅ Aligned: If you value discipline, health, and challenging yourself—great!

❌ Misaligned: If you hate running, but you’re just doing it because your friends signed up—you’re setting yourself up for misery.

Choose goals that fit who you are rather than forcing yourself into someone else’s version of success.

3. Redefine Success on Your Terms

Instead of just measuring success by achievements, measure it by alignment.

Let’s say you’re working toward financial stability, but freedom is your top value. The real win isn’t just hitting a dollar amount—it’s structuring your finances so you can travel, work remotely, or spend more time with family.

Success isn’t just checking the box. It’s feeling fulfilled when you do.

4. Make Course Corrections Along the Way

Not every goal ages well. Sometimes you outgrow them.

💡 Give yourself permission to pivot if a goal stops making sense.

It’s not quitting—it’s adjusting to stay aligned with what actually matters to you.

The Takeaway: Goals Should Support Your Growth, Not Distract from It

🚫 Stop setting goals based on what looks good on paper.

✅ Start setting goals that make sense for your life.

Because success isn’t about reaching the top of the wrong mountain; it’s about climbing the right one.

Ready to Align Your Goals with Your Values?

If you’re tired of setting goals that don’t feel right, let’s talk.