Resolutions 2013: Day Three

by | Jan 4, 2013 | For the Teacher | 6 comments

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your beliefs become your values
your values become your thoughts
your thoughts become your words
your words become your actions
your actions become your habits
 your habits become your destiny
Gandhi
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Values-Based Goals Vs. Resolutions
Goals can be thought of as stepping stones that move you towards your values.   The process we are using is called values-based goal setting.  Values-based goals keep us from wasting our time on goals that don't inspire us or  have anything to do with what is important.  When our goals are aligned with our values, then we are less likely to get caught up in goals that do not feed our hearts and souls.

A simple way of looking at this – a true goal is not a “I should do this” but “This is who I truly am.”   A true goal brings you into alignment with who you truly are.  My friend always says “Don't should on yourself!”  There is nothing inspiring about trying to do what “you should do.”  That is critical in the goal setting process.   If you find the goal you create today ultimately does not inspire you – give it up!

Here's the secret to goals – if you take on one goal that inspires you, that you build some real momentum and success in– it will impact all areas of your life!!  It is holographic in nature.   You will, by the very nature of transformation, alter many areas of your life.  Yes, even areas not connected to the goal.  Sweet, huh?

          How does this work in practice?
When I did the value work and prioritized my values – spirituality was on the top. (There is a values sheet in the workbook below)  It is number one.   Interestingly, when I look at my life  – there is little committed time dedicated to my spiritual growth.  Who I truly am is a person who begins anything of importance by tuning within – –  yet – – in my daily routine – – I rarely make time to meditate or pray.   When I look at my life what I see really missing is this foundational practice!  What would life look like if I began each day with just 5-10 minutes of inner silence – tuning into my authentic self?Here is an example of a value and a goal:

My value: Spirituality
My goal: I spend the first 10 minutes of each morning in prayer and silence.

    Compelling Reason (outcome):  inner peace and spiritual strengthIt is critical to have a compelling reason for your goal.  What is it that you are after by having this goal?  I want you to look at the level of “how will this make a difference in the quality of my life?”

It is important when you set a goal to state in present tense and to think in terms of moving towards a desired outcome versa moving away an unwanted situation.  As Anthony Robbins suggests stepping out of the “change myself” paradigm and stepping into a “progressing” view.

A great example of this is:  A change goal is “I will exercise every day.”   A progressing life goal is “I take evening walks with my husband after dinner each night.”   Embedding my exercise within my value of inspiration with my husband and being outside has it more compelling for me to actually do it.  This goal is more likely to have me committed and successful.  The difference I see it will make in my life is being connected to nature, time alone with my husband, and feeling vitality walking.

Values:  Spirituality and Beauty
Goal:  To spend 1 hour Saturday morning in the back yard gardening.
Compelling Reason:   to be deeply connect to the seasons of the year
Getting Started
 
1.)    Make your goal(s) SMART: Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Time managed
Goals have no grounding until they are set in specific measurable terms.

2.)    Use these quick questions:

1.  What will I do?
2.   How much?
3.   When?
4.   How often?
5.   What are my compelling reasons?

Example:

  1. What will I do?  Meditate and pray. 
  2. How much?   5 minutes  
  3. When?   First thing in the morning 
  4. How Often?  Every day! 
  5. Compelling Reasons:  a deep sense of inner peace and vision for my life

     My Resulting Goal:  I will meditate and pray first thing every morning for five minutes.

I love this method because it is so simple.  Do you notice that goals are action steps?  Your goal should hold what you will be doing and when you will be doing it.   
Values:  Adventure and beauty
Goal:  I will eat three meals a day with lusciously prepared whole foods with no eating between meals.
Compelling Reasons:  to be vibrantly alive, full of energy and vitality!!!!

TIPS

  • Begin with something you feel inspired to do.
  • Choose goals that are both realistic and achievable.   Start small.
  • Write it down.  Use the workbook sheet on this post.
  • If you find yourself not doing your goal, ask yourself:  What is my compelling reason for this?

WORKBOOK:  Click Here

6 Comments

  1. cherylopal
    cherylopal on January 4, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    i am loving your new years resolution posts! im going to make two stones this weekend- one for this year and one to remind me of last years goal which fits so perfectly in a word- super idea!

    i had downloaded your guided drawing activities and wanted to share a story. I had a free moment with my first graders and from some discussions did the owl then the bird. One girl did such a beautiful picture with the bird that it was chosen to be the cover of the schools semi-annual magazine. would love to send you a pic of it 🙂

    thanks again for such a wonderful blog and great ideas 🙂
    cheryl

    Reply
    • Sally Haughey
      Sally Haughey on January 5, 2013 at 6:32 am

      Cheryl,

      I would love love love to see the cover! Thank you so much for sharing! You made my day!

      Sally

      Reply
  3. cherylopal
    cherylopal on January 5, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    hi sally- how could i send you the pic? found out yesterday at my staff meeting that the mag goes to over 700 families including families whose child is now having children. we are a small school 3 year old to 3rd grade 100 kids so that is something 🙂

    Reply

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