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Goals are for the future; values are for now.
Goals are set; values are lived. Goals change;
values are rocks that you can count on.
- Sheldon Bowles

I read that quotation yesterday in a friend’s newsletter and had to share it with my readers! What an important distinction this is. We always hear about the importance of knowing who we are and what our values are as we establish our goals. That’s what this quotation is about.

We do set goals for our future, that’s how we make our future become what we want it to be. But, our goals must be consistent with our values. If you try to establish a goal that is inconsistent with your values, you will find it almost impossible to achieve. Why? Because to achieve it you have to work against your values. This doesn’t work. We’re back to the Biblical reminder that no man can serve two masters.

Goals come and go. We set a goal, work to achieve it, then set another. That’s how they’re supposed to work. That’s not how values work. Our values are pretty much constant. We have them now, and they guide our goals and actions. That’s how we live our values. If we are true to ourselves, our goals will take us to a future that still holds those values.

So, when you are envisioning your future seeing it with the results that come from achieving the goals you’re currently pursuing, that vision must be consistent with your values. You can count on your values to guide you.

Note: I hope you’ve noticed that there is a “Goal Quotations” block on the left side of this site. Check it out each time you come here; there will be different quotations showing up regularly to help inspire you.

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