Values-Driven Success: Aligning Your Goals with What Matters Most
Living a life guided by your core values is a powerful way to find fulfilment and achieve meaningful success. Dolores Andrew, a wellness trainer and holistic life coach, emphasises the importance of aligning our actions and goals with what truly matters to us. She believes that by understanding our values, we can make decisions with clarity and purpose, and live a life that resonates deeply with our authentic selves.
What Are Personal Values?
Personal values are the guiding principles that shape our actions, behaviours, and decisions. They act as an internal compass, helping us define what’s important and steering us towards alignment in our personal and professional lives. When we stray too far from our values, we often feel lost, stressed, or unfulfilled.
The Power of Living By Your Values
When we live in alignment with our values, several benefits emerge:
- Resilience to Judgement: Understanding your core values allows you to stay grounded, even when others judge or criticise you. Their opinions are based on their own values, and recognising this helps you avoid taking their judgements personally.
- Confident Leadership: Leading from your values builds self-assurance and fosters effective communication. Confidence doesn’t have to exist in every area of your life but can be nurtured in spaces where your values are most present.
- Clarity in Decision-Making: When your goals align with your values, decisions become clearer. You are less likely to suffer from decision-making paralysis and can act with intention.
Recognising Misalignment
Living out of sync with your values can lead to:
- Stress and burnout
- Identity crises
- Imposter syndrome
- Strained relationships
- A constant need for validation
For example, if fairness is one of your core values, encountering situations that feel unjust can trigger frustration or anger. Exploring these triggers can help you identify areas of misalignment in your life and take steps to address them.
Identifying Your Core Values
Dolores recommends starting with reflection:
- Recall situations where you experienced strong emotions.
- Identify the value being undermined in those moments.
- Ask whether that value is being honoured in other areas of your life.
This process reveals patterns and provides clarity on your most important values.
Aligning Goals with Values
Once you’ve identified your values, consider how they align with your current goals. Ask yourself:
- Does this goal reflect my core values?
- If not, what changes can I make to better align it?
Values are not static—they evolve over time. Regularly revisiting them ensures your goals remain relevant and meaningful as your priorities shift.
Applying Values in Business and Personal Life
In a business setting, values shape company culture and guide decision-making. Companies that live their values build trust and loyalty with both employees and customers. In personal life, values influence relationships, parenting, and how we navigate challenges. Dolores shared an example of setting boundaries with her child to honour her value of fairness and protect her precious work time, demonstrating how values can inform everyday decisions.
Final Thoughts
Living in alignment with your values isn’t always easy, but it’s transformative. By embracing a values-driven approach, you’ll cultivate resilience, confidence, and a sense of fulfilment in both your personal and professional life. Start today by exploring your values, aligning your goals, and taking intentional steps towards the life you truly want.
Dolores Andrew session can be found in the members club.