Cognitive biases
Values vs. Goals
Values vs. Goals
Use this directive when a client struggles to connect their actions to a sense of purpose. They may present as directionless or express dissatisfaction despite achieving stated objectives. This often points to a confusion between the internal principles that guide a person and the external outcomes they pursue, creating a disconnect between their accomplishments and their core identity.
This exercise prompts the client to explicitly differentiate between these two domains. By clarifying the distinction between their personal “why” and their “what,” they can build a more coherent foundation for making choices. The aim is for the client to formulate goals that are in direct service of their principles, leading to more sustained motivation and a greater sense of authentic progress.
Values vs. Goals
| Your Values Are | Your Goals Are |
|---|---|
| Your core principles of conduct | Your specific objectives for action |
| The standards that guide you | The results that you target |
| Constant over the long term | Set within a specific timeframe |
| Your internal definition of what is right | An external, measurable outcome |
| What you hold as important | What you plan to accomplish |
| A continuous way of operating | A specific task to complete |
| A source of internal motivation | A focus for external action |
| About who you are being | About what you are doing |
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