Values, Needs, and Goals

Start by asking yourself: "What truly matters to me?" Your values might include family, health, personal growth, balance, and well-being. For instance, family can involve relationships with parents, spouse, and children, emphasizing love, responsibility, and connection. Health includes physical fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being. Harmony with your inner self relates to personal fulfillment, hobbies, and balancing duties with pleasures. Identifying these values is the foundation for all your decisions and life direction.

Values usually range from three to five core principles — your life’s guiding stars. They influence friendships, career choices, partners, and how you spend your time. Some common examples include: - Health - Family - Career - Creativity - Financial Security - Personal Development - Environmental Awareness - Wisdom - Independence - Responsibility - Order and Stability - Recognition and Respect - Pleasure and Happiness Rate each value from 1 to 5 based on how important it is to you. This helps visualize the directions your life naturally leans toward.

Your needs are the practical extensions of your values. They can be short-term, medium-term, or long-term. Examples include: - Maintaining excellent health and energy - Having a secure home or living space - Engaging in activities you enjoy - Nurturing a happy and supportive family - Traveling or owning a comfortable car - Ensuring a good education for your children - Protecting accumulated assets from risks Reflect on your recent purchases and plans. Do they align with your values and needs? Tracking your spending can reveal gaps between your intentions and actions.

Once your values and needs are clear, it is time to define goals. Goals are the tangible outcomes that grow from your values, like branches from a tree. A popular method is the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. For financial goals, focus on: - The exact goal (what you want) - The cost of achieving it - The timeline to achieve it The relevance is naturally established from your values. The “Achievable” parameter ensures you are realistic. Avoid unrealistic or imposed goals; only define goals that genuinely reflect your priorities.

For example, if your goal is to buy a car: - What brand and model? - What color and engine type? - Automatic or manual? - New or used? - Cost of the chosen version? - Desired timeframe for purchase? Answering these questions results in a clear, measurable goal, e.g.: "Buy a blue compact automatic car, costing $10,000 within two years." Similarly, apply this method to other goals such as vacations, home, education, or retirement savings. Each goal should have a price tag and a realistic timeline.

Consider your life horizon beyond immediate goals. Think about retirement: at what age would you like to retire, and how much money will you need? Even if it is 20–30–40 years ahead, starting early gives flexibility. For medium-term goals (2–5 years), try to model outcomes realistically. Visualizing your future based on today's reality helps you make better decisions and stay aligned with your values.

✅ Define your core values. ✅ Compare your plans, purchases, and daily actions against these values. ✅ Identify essential needs and desires linked to your values. ✅ Convert your desires into clear, measurable goals using the SMART principles. ✅ Determine the cost and timeline for each goal. ✅ Reassess periodically to ensure your actions remain aligned with your priorities and values.

Rate each of the following from 1 (low) to 5 (high) based on personal importance: - Health and fitness - Family relationships - Career growth - Financial stability - Creativity and hobbies - Learning and self-development - Environmental responsibility - Recognition and respect After rating, identify patterns: high-scoring items indicate core values. Then, list potential goals that align with these values, including approximate cost and timeframe. This exercise helps ensure your actions and goals reflect what matters most to you.

Ready to understand your core values, needs, and financial goals? Take our interactive quiz to see what truly matters to you. Start the quiz now →