Discover how aligning your goals with your personal values leads to deeper meaning, long-term fulfillment, and measurable success. Learn how to identify core values and use digital tools like Serenity to build value-based goals and habits step-by-step.
How Personal Values Drive Success: Aligning Your Goals with What Truly Matters
Aligning your goals with personal values gives them deeper meaning, boosts motivation, and increases your chances of long-term success. Studies show that when your goals reflect what truly matters to you—rather than what’s expected from others—you’re more likely to persevere, feel fulfilled, and stay mentally resilient. The practice of “life crafting” helps you define your values and translate them into actionable goals with powerful outcomes across personal and professional domains.
What Are Personal Values and How Do They Influence Success?
Personal values are the guiding principles you believe deeply in, such as honesty, creativity, independence, or compassion. Values are like internal compasses—they influence your decisions, reactions, and priorities.
“Personal values drive goal setting, determine motivation, and are closely linked to fulfillment and wellbeing.”
— Schippers et al., Life Crafting as a Way to Find Purpose and Meaning in Life (2020)
Values Influence Success By:
- Shaping how effort is directed toward goals.
- Improving goal persistence and emotional commitment.
- Enhancing satisfaction after goal achievement.
In summary: Aligning actions to values helps bridge the gap between ‘what you do’ and ‘why you do it,’ leading to sustainable success.
Why Is It Important To Align Your Goals With Your Personal Values?
If you’ve ever set a goal and lost interest midway, misalignment with your values may be the reason. When goals are based on external pressures or social expectations, they generate short-lived motivation. But when goals are rooted in internal values, they "pull" you organically.
Benefits of Value-Aligned Goals:
- Better emotional engagement and meaning.
- Reduced procrastination and decision fatigue.
- Higher life satisfaction and mental health.
According to the life crafting model, written value-based goals “strengthen one’s identity and self-regulatory focus” (Schippers et al., 2020).
How Can I Identify My Core Values Before Setting Goals?
Before setting effective long-term goals, identifying your core values is crucial. This step helps you recognize what truly fulfills you—not what seems urgent or popular.
Try This 3-Step Values Discovery Process:
- Reflect on past moments of pride, joy, or anger—these often reveal core values.
- Use a values list to sort through common personal values and rank your top 5.
- Ask yourself guiding questions:
- What makes me feel most energized?
- What would I fight for even without a reward?
Apps like Serenity offer guided values exercises and quizzes to help clarify your top values, removing the guesswork.
What Types of Goals Are Most Effective When Aligned With Personal Values?
The most effective goals have three key traits:
- Intrinsic motivation — driven by something within you (not money, praise, or comparison).
- Direct relevance to your values — such as growth, contribution, autonomy.
- Specific and measurable outcomes (SMART goals).
Examples:
| Core Value | Aligned Goal |
|---|---|
| Creativity | "Write a personal essay weekly for 6 months." |
| Health | "Train for a half-marathon in the next 90 days." |
| Connection | "Schedule weekly calls with family or friends." |
| Learning | "Read 12 nonfiction books this year." |
In summary: Value-aligned goals are more likely to be meaningful, sticky, and sustainable.
What Are Examples of Personal Goals That Reflect Core Values?
Here are examples of how personal goals can reflect vital values:
- Growth: Take one new course every quarter.
- Courage: Speak publicly at a local meetup this year.
- Family: Create a 12-month family photo journal.
- Contribution: Volunteer 4 hours per month for a local cause.
- Balance: Establish one non-work day per weekend without screens.
These goals do more than measure progress—they strengthen identity and life purpose.
Can an App Help Me Clarify My Values Before Goal-Setting?
Yes. Apps like Serenity include built-in modules to guide users through values clarification with structured reflections, quizzes, and self-authoring prompts.
“Structured writing about values and goal setting enhances goal commitment and psychological resilience.” (Schippers et al., 2020)
This enables clarity before even writing down a goal, which is vital to avoid chasing the wrong targets.
Can I Use An App To Translate My Values Into Achievable Goals?
Absolutely. Serenity takes your ranked values and helps you generate SMART goals that align. Here’s how:
- Suggests personalized goals based on your values and priorities.
- Offers goal templates tied to common values like health, creativity, autonomy.
- Helps break goals into milestones and daily habits.
In summary: Turning abstract values into specific, trackable goals is easier with automation and personalized suggestions.
How Does Serenity Create a Personalized Action Plan From My Values?
Serenity uses life crafting principles combined with AI to:
- Analyze your top values and life focus areas.
- Translate them into actionable goals.
- Build a timeline with milestones.
- Set reminders, habit streaks, and checkpoints.
- Adjust pace based on your feedback and progress.
Each blueprint evolves as you do, making Serenity a dynamic coaching system in your pocket.
How Does Progress Tracking Ensure Alignment With Long-Term Values?
Tracking progress ensures your actions reflect intentions. With Serenity, you can monitor:
- Daily habits and checklists
- Milestone progress toward large goals
- How each task maps to your value-driven vision
This combats "life drift"—when we get busy but disconnected. Reminders and nudges help you refocus and recalibrate weekly.
As My Values Evolve, Can I Update My Goals In the App?
Yes. Life changes, and so should your goals. Serenity allows you to:
- Re-run the values clarification quiz.
- Edit or replace long-term goals.
- Restart lifecrafting from new beginnings.
Like a living document, the app adapts with you through life phases.
Does Serenity Offer Templates Based on Common Core Values?
Yes! Browse templates like:
- "Mindful Mornings" (for peace & wellness)
- "Deep Work Strategy" (for focus and growth)
- "Connection Calendar" (for relationships)
- "Creative Practice Routine" (for expression)
You can start with a preset or customize fully.
Does Serenity Offer Reminders or Nudges?
Yes. You’ll receive:
- Smart reminders based on previous habits.
- Weekly nudges asking if goals still feel aligned.
- Encouragement after streaks or key milestones.
These digital boosts are designed to reinforce value-based commitment.
How Does Value-Based Goal Setting Compare To Traditional Methods?
Traditional goal setting often starts with "what do you want to achieve". Life crafting flips that: "Why are you achieving it?". According to published studies:
“Value-based goal setting enhances wellbeing, persistence, and meaning—key traits linked to long-term success.”
(Schippers et al., 2020)
In contrast, extrinsically motivated goals (e.g. promotions, fame) are linked to burnout and low satisfaction.
Can I Share My Goals With a Coach or Accountability Partner?
Yes. Serenity lets you:
- Download and share your full goal map.
- Invite coaches or partners to view and monitor progress.
- Use built-in messaging for weekly check-ins or feedback loops.
External accountability increases success rates significantly (up to 65%, according to APA).
How Does the App Break Big Goals Into Actionable Steps?
Serenity guides you to convert macro goals into micro actions:
- Sets milestones along the timeline.
- Recommends weekly and daily commitments.
- Tracks effort and success ratios.
- Offers adaptive suggestions during check-ins.
This chunking technique is key for making big vision goals less overwhelming.
Are There User Stories About Aligning Goals with Values?
Yes. Here are a few highlights:
“I was stuck chasing everyone’s definition of success. Serenity helped me rediscover my voice—and map out a business plan I’m actually proud of.”
— Jordan T., Freelance Writer
“The values module changed how I measure progress. It made me realize my health and family needed as much space as my career.”
— Alexis P., Executive Coach
“I thought goals meant pressure. But when they’re aligned to what you love—like creativity—it becomes joyful momentum.”
— Devon M., Artist
Is Serenity Suitable For Personal and Professional Goals?
Yes. Whether you're setting goals for career growth (e.g., leadership, productivity, upskilling) or personal life (e.g., wellness, mindfulness, relationships), Serenity adjusts based on areas top-ranked in your values reflection.
How Do I Get Started With Value-Based Goal Setting Using Serenity?
Getting started is simple:
- Download the Serenity app.
- Complete the values discovery and goal visioning exercises.
- Select or personalize your first goal track.
- Set daily tasks and activate reminders.
- Reflect weekly with check-ins—and watch how aligned action adds up.
FAQ: Practical Insights About Goal Alignment
What’s the best way to achieve long-term goals?
Follow value-based goal-setting. Define your “why” first, then your what. Use clear steps, progress tracking, and weekly reviews—tools like Serenity help automate this process.
How do I stay motivated to reach personal goals?
Intrinsic motivation is key. Make sure your goals link directly to your top values (e.g., autonomy, mastery, family, purpose), and not societal standards.
How often should I reevaluate my goals?
Reassess quarterly. Values can shift after big life changes—career moves, relationships, or internal growth. Serenity supports easy goal resets.
References
- Schippers, M. C., Scheepers, A. W. A., & Peterson, J. B. (2020). Life Crafting as a Way to Find Purpose and Meaning in Life. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2778. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6923189/
Author Bios
Dr. Michaéla C. Schippers
Professor of Behavior and Performance Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam. Renowned for her research on purpose, value alignment, and life crafting interventions.
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson
Clinical Psychologist and Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of Toronto. Contributor to research on meaning, personality, and individual development.
Serenity Team
A group of behavior scientists, engineers, and psychologists building tools that help people craft a meaningful life using guided goal-setting rooted in psychological science.