Living with Purpose: Should You Focus on Values or Goals?

In a world that constantly pushes us to achieve, it’s easy to assume that success is defined by ticking off goals. Get the promotion, buy the house, lose the weight — these are the markers of progress, aren’t they? But what happens when you reach a goal and still feel unfulfilled? Or when an unexpected setback makes your goal unreachable? This is where values come in.

Values and goals are often spoken about interchangeably, but they serve very different purposes. Goals are destinations—specific, measurable outcomes you work toward. They can be completed and checked off a list. Conversely, values are directions — guiding principles that shape how you live, regardless of whether you achieve a particular outcome. While goals focus on what you want to achieve, values focus on how you want to live.

Imagine two people training for a marathon. One is motivated purely by the goal — crossing the finish line. The other is driven by a value—commitment to personal growth. If the first runner gets injured before race day, they may feel like they’ve failed. But the second runner, even if they can’t compete, still embodies their value by continuing to stay active in whatever way they can. When goals fall apart, values keep us moving.

Does this mean goals are unimportant? Not at all. Goals provide structure and motivation, helping us bring our values to life in tangible ways. The key is ensuring your goals are aligned with your values. If your goal is to build a successful career, ask yourself why. Is it because you value creativity? Leadership? Stability? When goals emerge from values, they become more meaningful and resilient.

However, problems arise when goals are pursued without a foundation of values. Many people chase external markers of success without questioning whether those achievements reflect what they truly care about. You might push toward a high-paying job only to realize you value work-life balance more. You might set fitness goals driven by comparison rather than genuine well-being. Goals without values can leave you feeling disconnected from yourself, even when you accomplish them.

So, if you’re at a crossroads, wondering whether to prioritize values or goals, the answer is both—but in the right order. Start with values. Identify what matters most to you. Then, let your goals be stepping stones that bring those values into action. Unlike goals, values don’t have an endpoint; they shape your decisions every day. And when circumstances shift, as they inevitably do, values give you the flexibility to adapt, redefine your goals, and continue living with purpose.

Chasing goals alone may lead to temporary satisfaction, but living in alignment with your values creates a lasting sense of fulfilment. Because in the end, it’s not about how many goals you achieve—it’s about whether the path you take truly reflects the kind of life you want to lead.