I get this question often in session “What is the difference between my goals and my values?” They do seem to be similar, yet they are not the same.
Values are a direction you want to move towards, they are what you would like to experience more of in your life and that make your life meaningful.
Goals are the “sign posts” and the milestones that help you note whether you are moving in the right direction.
Think of it as moving west. West is the direction you would like to move in your life. It is important to you and makes your life meaningful. You will never arrive at “west” just like you might go to the gym moving in the direction of “strength” and “vitality”. Yet, no matter how much you go to the gym, you will never obtain either of these things as a fixed aspect of your being.
You don’t arrive at “Strong” and even if you could if you stopped there, you would, sooner or later, lose that title right?
I like the following video from fellow clinician and widely know author and trainer, Russ Harris. I hope you enjoy his explanation: