How can you align your change goals with your values?

I’ve found our connection to change is stronger than a value or belief. The way we see or hear it is different from person to person. When connecting to change, it’s helpful to ask yourself ‘what makes my heart sing?’ This question helps establishes a deep connection to the change, aligns goals to expectations, and helps answer ‘what’s in it for me.’

Change can be a good trigger for us to identify our values and articulate what matters most to us. In my experience, if you are starting to probe on your real values for the first time, you may realise that you don't fully get to the core that easily. We often have multiple layers before we reach the bottom. I recommend using a "5 why" model. Ask yourself what makes you happy, and then ask why it makes you happy , and then again ask why that makes you feel the way you feel and so on for at least 5 times. You would surely get closer..

Answer the question “Who are you?”. In this simple question, beyond your name and what you do, you will have to analyze your attitude, actions, and behaviors and see the gap between your ideal self and actual self. This will create an awareness for needed change. Embrace it. “Learning without change is not learning!”

Most have faith yet don't take the leap. In my many years of consulting for growing businesses, I found that most founders and leaders preached empty sermons - effective to a point, unable to level up. >> Remember - our Values are balanced, and maybe even cancelled out by our Fears. You might think you're willing to take the leap, but the cliff might convince you otherwise. >> This is where Change comes in. We're better-off betting on our Purpose, which is more potently affected by Change. We should take our 'Perceived Values' with a pinch of salt - they seldom show us for who we really are. Finally - whatever the Values - no Action, no Results. >> One with Strong Values and No Action is a Philosopher, not a Businessperson.

Values guide our actions and emotions. They're revealed through passions, moments of pride, and sacrifices. For instance, a passion for conservation hints at valuing sustainability. Pride in volunteering may indicate valuing empathy. Standing up for a cause or making sacrifices showcases deeply held beliefs. While self-reflection is key, tools like the Personal Values Assessment can aid in identifying values. It's crucial to note that values can change over time due to life experiences. The challenge isn't just recognizing values but living in alignment with them, leading to a fulfilling life.

It requires much self-reflection to identify your values, understand where your gaps are, and then define your change goals. Some people can do it on their own, but it is not a small task. My advice is to work with a professional Executive Mentor. An experienced Executive Mentor will work as a sound board for your thoughts, will ask you clarifying questions to help you think about your wanted changes, and can bring a dose of pragmatism when thoughts go too far or too little. They can also share their own experiences and tell you stories that will make you think differently so you can be objective about yourself. Last but not least, Mentors are great to help you prioritize your goals and establish a cadence to achieve your goals as needed.

Change goals, rooted in personal values, provide direction for transformative efforts. Using the SMART criteria ensures goals are actionable and trackable. Start by pinpointing the desired change and its motivation. Segmenting this change into digestible steps simplifies the journey. Deadlines and metrics add accountability, ensuring progress. Most crucially, aligning each step with personal values ensures intrinsic motivation and deeper commitment. Thus, a value-driven, SMART approach to change goals fosters purposeful and sustainable transformation.

Positive communication especially to your own self is a key to you achieving the change you expect. More than others, you may be resisting your own change goal for reasons such as fear, insecurity, assumptions or negative outlook in general. Also, it's important for you to be surrounded by people who encourage you than those who don't believe in you.

Effective communication of change goals amplifies commitment and gathers support. Utilizing positive language fosters enthusiasm, while highlighting the alignment between goals and values resonates deeply, making the cause relatable. Sharing milestones not only motivates oneself but inspires others. Welcoming feedback and criticism ensures adaptability and growth. In essence, transparently conveying change goals, celebrating progress, and embracing feedback ensures a holistic and supported journey towards transformation.

Regularly monitoring and evaluating change goals is pivotal for alignment and success. Periodic reviews ensure you stay on track, while tools like journals or dashboards provide tangible data for analysis. Comparing actual results with expectations highlights areas of improvement or adjustment. In short, consistent evaluation, coupled with adaptive strategies, ensures goal progression remains in sync with core values and desired outcomes.

After spending over 25 years working in the corporate world with a tech giant in the Oil and Gas industry, I was grateful for the global experiences that I and my family had over the years. However, something changed in me as I got close to turning 50. My aspirations turned to leaving a legacy and making an impact in the world. I was drawn to a book that I read by Pete Ochs called the 'High Impact Life'. This changed my perspective on the definition of success in my life. Earlier success was centered on ME. Pride - What is my position? Possessions - How much do I have? Pleasure - What are the pleasurable things I can do? Now success is centered on OTHERS Serving people in some way Pursuing Excellence Being a good steward of what I have

Your values should always serve as your North Star and not be compromised. Thus, meaning your change goals should fit within your set of values. Otherwise, you will not feel happiness, satisfaction, enjoyment if/when you achieve the change goal, because it took you outside your values, impeding your personal sense of your own integrity.

Ask these two questions at every stage of the change journey 1. By doing this, are we staying true to our Values? 2. If not this, what's a better way to achieve this outcome by being value aligned?