The Power of Purposeful Action: Aligning Your Goals with Your Values

Here’s the truth I had to learn the hard way: when your actions don’t align with your values, life can feel off. Like wearing shoes that don’t fit—fine for a little while, but eventually, you just want to rip them off and run barefoot.

Let’s talk about how aligning your goals with your values can change everything.

Why This Matters (And Why I Wish I’d Realized It Sooner)

A few years ago, I hit what I thought was a milestone in my career. I should’ve been over the moon, but instead, I felt this hollow ache, like something was missing. I couldn’t put my finger on it until I asked myself one tough question: Is this really what I want, or is it just what I thought I should want?

Spoiler: it was the latter. I’d been chasing someone else’s definition of success. Once I got clear on my values—creativity, connection, and freedom—I realized my day-to-day didn’t match at all. That’s when I decided to take purposeful action to realign my life.

When Values and Actions Don’t Line Up

Have you ever said yes to something and immediately felt that pit in your stomach? Like volunteering for a project because it’s the “right” thing to do, but deep down, it doesn’t align with what really matters to you?

That’s the feeling of misalignment. It’s exhausting. And if you let it go unchecked, it can pull you further away from the life you actually want.

I remember staying in a role that drained me because I thought walking away would look like failure. Meanwhile, I was failing myself by ignoring what I valued most. It wasn’t until I gave myself permission to pause and reflect that I could see the disconnect.

Steps to Realign Your Goals with Your Values

So how do you avoid falling into this trap? Here’s what worked for me:

1. Get Clear on What You Value
   Think about moments when you felt truly alive—when your heart felt full, and you were exactly where you were supposed to be. What was happening? For me, it was times when I was helping others grow, creating something meaningful, or spending quality time with the people I love.

   Write down your top 3-5 values. Don’t overthink it. Just be honest with yourself.

2. Take an Honest Look at Your Actions
   I did a simple audit: I wrote down everything I spent my time on for a week. Then I asked myself, Does this bring me closer to what I value? The results were eye-opening. I realized I was spending hours on things I didn’t care about while neglecting what truly mattered.

3. Set Goals That Light You Up
   Once you know your values, use them as a filter for your goals. For example, if creativity is a value, ask yourself, How can I build more of that into my life? It doesn’t have to be a huge change—small steps add up.

4. Start with One Small Change
   Realigning your life doesn’t mean blowing everything up. Start small. For me, it was saying no to one extra project at work and using that time to explore a creative hobby. That small “no” became a powerful “yes” to something I truly cared about.

5. Check In with Yourself Regularly
   Life changes, and so do we. I’ve made it a habit to revisit my values and goals every few months. It keeps me on track and reminds me why I’m doing what I’m doing.

Living with Intention

I’m not going to lie—it’s a work in progress. But I can tell you this: when your actions align with your values, life feels lighter. You feel more in control and connected to something bigger than yourself.

Here’s a question for you: What’s one small step you could take this week to bring your actions in line with your values? Maybe it’s saying no to something that doesn’t feel right. Maybe it’s carving out time for something that fills your cup.

I’d love to hear your story. Drop a comment below or share what’s on your mind. Who knows? Your journey might inspire someone else to take their own purposeful action.