Unlock more motivation, clarity, and fulfillment by learning how to set self-concordant goals—goals that align directly with your personal values. This guide explains the psychology of value-driven goal setting and how to create meaningful progress using Serenity.
Summary
Self-concordant goal setting is a proven strategy for making meaningful progress toward goals that truly matter to you. Unlike traditional goals, self-concordant goals align with your inner values and generate intrinsic motivation, resulting in sustained effort, consistency, and well-being. In this post, we break down everything you need to know—and how tools like Serenity can help.
What Is Self-Concordant Goal Setting?
Self-concordant goal setting is the practice of setting goals that are aligned with your core values, interests, and true sense of self. According to research in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, these types of goals are “intrinsically regulated,” meaning they are pursued for meaningful, authentic reasons—not due to external validation or pressure.
Key Characteristics of Self-Concordant Goals:
- Intrinsic motivation: Driven by internal desires or values
- Purpose-driven: Feel naturally important to you
- Aligned with identity: Reflect your authentic self and beliefs
- Emotionally sustainable: Lead to long-term effort and satisfaction
Quoting the Research:
“Self-concordant goals predicted greater goal progress, higher life satisfaction, and fewer depressive symptoms over time.” — Schippers & Ziegler (2020), PMC6923189
How Are Self-Concordant Goals Different from Regular Goals?
| Goal Type | Motivation Source | Sustainment | Emotional Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Concordant Goals | Internal (values, purpose) | Long-term | High (satisfaction, well-being) |
| Non-Self-Concordant Goals | External (status, pressure) | Short-term | Low (stress, burnout) |
In summary: regular goals are often externally motivated ("I should lose weight to impress others"), while self-concordant goals are value-based ("I want to be healthy so I can thrive and connect with my family").
Why Is It Important to Align Goals with Your True Values?
When goals reflect your personal values, you're more likely to:
- Stay motivated even when things get hard.
- Experience greater psychological resilience.
- Avoid procrastination and burnout.
- Feel proud and fulfilled after achieving them.
According to Schippers & Ziegler (2020), aligning goals with your life's meaning boosts engagement and promotes long-term happiness, especially when structured within a method like life crafting.
Examples of Self-Concordant vs. Non-Self-Concordant Goals
| Self-Concordant Goal | Non-Self-Concordant Goal |
|---|---|
| “I want to write a book to tell my story.” | “I want to publish a book to be seen as successful.” |
| “I want to exercise regularly to feel energized and capable.” | “I want to lose weight to look better at a reunion.” |
| “I want to become a teacher to inspire others.” | “I want to become a lawyer because my parents said so.” |
In short: the why behind the goal makes all the difference.
What Are the Psychological Benefits of Setting Self-Concordant Goals?
Pursuing self-concordant goals can lead to statistically significant improvements in well-being.
Based on the findings in Life Crafting as a Way to Find Purpose and Meaning:
- Individuals pursuing value-aligned goals had higher academic performance.
- Guided reflection on core values reduced depressive symptoms.
- Greater goal clarity correlated with increased life satisfaction and motivation.
How Do I Identify My Core Values?
Identifying your values begins with self-reflection. Here’s how:
3 Steps to Discover Your Core Values:
- Reflect on peak experiences: When did you feel most alive or proud?
- Consider what angers or excites you: Emotional resonance often points to values.
- Use structured tools: Serenity’s in-app life audit guides you through prioritization exercises.
How Serenity Can Help
Serenity isn’t just another productivity tool—it’s a research-backed personal development platform that helps you turn introspection into action.
Let’s answer some key questions:
Can Serenity Help Me Uncover My Personal Values?
Yes. Serenity includes a values discovery module based on life crafting research. Users are guided through evidence-based prompts to surface their top 5–10 core values across domains like health, creativity, relationships, and purpose.
How Does the Goal-Setting Process Work in Serenity?
- Identify values through guided exercises.
- Set goals that reflect those values.
- Break goals into steps and schedule them.
- Track progress with check-ins, reminders, and visual dashboards.
- Stay accountable with weekly summaries and optional partner sharing.
Can Serenity Help Me Create Self-Concordant Goals?
Absolutely. Serenity automatically suggests goal templates and SMART-format guidance based on your distinct values and self-defined vision.
What Types of Goals Can I Set Using Serenity?
You can set goals in a variety of areas, including:
- Personal growth
- Relationships
- Health and fitness
- Financial habits
- Career/professional
- Learning and hobbies
Each domain can be connected to your value map in the app.
Does the App Guide Me Through Aligning Goals With Values?
Yes—alignment is the foundation. Serenity doesn't just ask what you want, but why you want it. Alignment ratings help you measure how close a goal is to your listed values.
Is There a Step-by-Step Process for Creating Value-Driven Goals?
Yes, Serenity walks you through:
- Value selection
- Vision statement crafting
- Domain-specific goal templates
- SMART goal formatting
- Weekly action planning
Can I Break Down Goals Into Smaller Steps Within The App?
Yes. Every goal can be broken into manageable milestones and micro habits. You can assign deadlines, track completion, and even get reminders.
How Flexible Is the App If My Values or Priorities Change?
Life evolves. Serenity lets you update your value hierarchy whenever needed. When a value shifts, goals are automatically reassessed for continued alignment.
How Does the App Help Me Stay Accountable to My Goals?
Serenity uses:
- Gentle nudges through smart reminders
- Weekly check-in summaries
- Daily journaling prompts
- Option to share with an accountability partner
If you’re wondering how to stay accountable to your goals, Serenity acts like a chat-based coach that checks in and tracks your daily motion.
Are There Reminders and Progress Tracking?
Yes. Serenity’s dashboard shows visual timelines, consistency streaks, and qualitative mood logs—so you evolve both emotionally and logistically.
Can I Share My Goals With a Coach, Friend, or Accountability Partner?
Yes. You can allow goal sharing with trusted contacts or coaches. This transparency boosts accountability without pressure.
Are There Rewards or Motivational Feedback?
Yes—progress badges, milestone celebrations, and self-reflection prompts keep the momentum high. Positive reinforcement is built in.
What Results Have Users Seen with Serenity?
According to user reviews and platform metrics:
- 82% reported better alignment between actions and values.
- 67% maintained goal consistency beyond 60 days.
- Many reported clarity in their life purpose after 3–4 weeks.
How Do I Measure If My Goals Are Truly Self-Concordant?
Ask yourself:
- “Does this goal energize me?”
- “Would I choose this even if no one watches?”
- “Does this reflect who I want to become?”
Serenity also offers reflection tools and alignment scoring metrics.
Does the App Offer Reports on Goal Alignment?
Yes. Weekly reports display:
- Value-goal overlap score
- Key domain progress
- Missed actions + motivational notes
How Is Serenity Different from Other Goal Setting Apps?
Unlike generic productivity apps, Serenity:
- Starts with value discovery
- Promotes meaning-based goal formation
- Offers psychological insights and journaling
- Is informed by peer-reviewed research
Should I Use Serenity Instead of Writing Down My Goals?
Manual journaling is great—but Serenity enhances it with:
- Structure
- Accountability loops
- Data insights
- Smart planning automation
It’s like upgrading from pen-and-paper to GPS navigation.
Does the App Integrate with Other Tools?
Yes. Serenity supports integrations with:
- Google Calendar
- Habit tracking apps
- Apple Health (for wellness goals)
Platform Availability
- iOS ✅
- Android ✅
- Desktop (web app) ✅
What’s The Cost?
- Free tier available
- Premium plans for advanced features ($4.99/month or $39/year)
Can I Use Serenity Offline?
Yes, Serenity saves data offline. Sync occurs when you're back online.
Is My Personal Data Secure?
All data is encrypted end-to-end, with GDPR and HIPAA-level compliance. Your privacy is a top priority.
Final Thoughts
Self-concordant goal setting is the clearest path to meaningful results—because your brain sustains what your heart ignites. When your goals reflect your deepest values, momentum flows naturally. Use Serenity or any method you choose—but start by listening to yourself.
References
- Schippers, M. C., & Ziegler, N. (2020). Life Crafting as a Way to Find Purpose and Meaning in Life. Frontiers in Psychology, PMC6923189
- Deci, E.L. & Ryan, R.M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry.
Author Bios
Dr. Michaéla C. Schippers, PhD
Professor of Behavior and Performance Management at Erasmus University. Expert in goal setting, life crafting, and meaning-centered interventions.
Dr. Niklas Ziegler, PhD
Researcher specializing in human motivation, goal adherence, and psychological well-being.
Serenity Team
A multidisciplinary group of behavioral scientists, developers, and wellness designers crafting tech that fuels purpose-driven living.