Values-Based New Year’s Resolutions

Introduction:

Differentiating between a value and a goal

First off, let’s look at both goals and values and differentiate them:

Goal

A goal is a desired result that you would like to reach or achieve. You work towards it by basing all of your actions and efforts on this desired outcome. The attainment of this goal is often how you define success. For example, if someone’s goal is to lose weight, they will base all of their actions on this goal and determine whether they were successful if they achieved the desired result.

Values

Values can be defined as what is most important and meaningful to you; they guide and motivate your attitudes, decisions, behaviors, and actions. Values are at the core of our being: they have an impact on the way we treat others and embody the person we want to become. Your values could change as you move forward in life, and not everyone’s values are the same. You could have values such as dependability, trust, connection, hard work, etc. They aren’t internal states, such as being happy, as we cannot control our emotions. They cannot be things that we cannot control either, like being respected by others.

You cannot check off your values as accomplished the same way you can with goals. Values provide a guiding light to help shape your behavior, helping you show up as a version of yourself that is as authentic as possible.

Importance of creating values-based resolutions

Why do we set resolutions in the first place? Typically, it’s because there’s something in our lives we want to alter, explore, or confront. To ensure that our resolutions hold significance, it’s beneficial to base them on our values. Values represent our core beliefs and identity, making resolutions rooted in them more purposeful and less likely to be abandoned. By aligning our actions with our values, we ensure that our pursuits resonate with what truly matters to us. Research indicates that resolutions grounded in values are not only more successful but also offer greater benefits for health and well-being. Living according to our values imbues our lives with a sense of purpose, elevating our well-being and reducing stress levels.

But how do we gauge our progress with values-based resolutions, which lack a specific end goal? Unlike destinations, values are inherent aspects of our identity and daily existence. They shape our behavior and serve as a compass for staying true to our beliefs. Acting in accordance with our values indicates progress toward our values-based resolutions. If we find ourselves straying from our values, it’s an opportunity to examine and redirect our actions—not a failure. Behavioral change is challenging, and each setback provides valuable insights to overcome obstacles in the future, ultimately guiding us closer to living in alignment with our values.

Creating values-based resolutions

Here are some things you could do to put these resolutions in place:

What is most important to you? Remember times in your life that made you feel fulfilled. Think about specific situations that felt meaningful to you. Think about what you cherish in life and think about things in life that make you feel like you have a purpose. Some examples of values are positivity, integrity, open-mindedness, respect, etc. For a guided version of this exercise, click here! Having these values written down can then help you create behaviors that are meaningful to you and that make you feel like you have a purpose in life.

For example, if one of your values is health, think about what health means to you. Is it strictly physical? Or does your mental, emotional, and social well-being feel important as well? How can you fulfill this core value of health by committing to a specific behavior? i.e. Getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, spending time with family, etc. You need to feel like the journey toward the behavior has a positive effect on your well-being. If pursuing the behavior in question makes you feel drained and burned out, perhaps you should have another look at whether it’s truly aligned with your values.

Conclusion

If you choose to set New Year’s resolutions, creating values-based ones is really a game changer. They’re a great way to take care of your well-being and overall health. This new year, try to focus more on yourself and not on societal expectations. Know that you don’t need to set resolutions if this doesn’t speak to you and that you can set resolutions any time of the year, not just at the start. If you feel like diet culture has taken over your New Year’s resolutions or your behavior and you can’t seem to find a way out, contact our team at info@sooma.ca or (514) 437-4260.