Personal Values and Setting Goals

Personal Values Personal values are people's internal conception of what is good, beneficial, important, useful, desirable, constructive, etc… What are some of your personal values that you feel are important to your health?

Personal Values How do personal values influence your health practices? If you believe in honesty—you are more likely to have positive relationships. If you believe in safety—you are more likely to take precautions like wearing your seatbelt. If you believe in health—you are more likely to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. Values Inventory Worksheet

A goal is something that you want and are willing to work for. What is a goal? A goal is something that you want and are willing to work for.

Short-Term Goals A short-term goal is a goal that only takes a short period of time to accomplish. Ex.– finishing your daily exercise or completing your homework assignment on time.

Long-Term Goals Long-term goals are tasks that take weeks, months or even years to accomplish. They are usually made up of several short- term goals. Ex.– Graduating from high school or college, having a family, or running a marathon.

Setting Goals When setting goals it is important to consider both your interests and your values. Sometimes goals change because your interests change, but your values should be more constant so make sure to consider your values just as much as your interests when creating or setting goals.

Support It is almost impossible to set and achieve goals without help or support. People that often support you in your goals are your friends, parents, teachers, role-models, etc… Make sure to be a good support to your friends and family as well as they are working toward their own goals.

SMART Goals (S) Specific (M) Measurable (A) Action-oriented (R) Realistic (T) Time-bound

Making an Action Plan 1. Write down your goal 2. Make a list of things you need to do to reach your goal. 3. Do some research to find information you might need to reach your goal. 4. Put a time limit on your goal. 5. Check your progress periodically 6. Reward yourself when you have reached your goal! “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible…” –Tony Robbins

Reaching Your Goals Reaching your goals isn’t always easy. It takes a lot of time and effort. Setbacks happen all the time when working toward a goal. It does NOT mean you have failed! The key to reaching your goal is persistence. Persistence is the commitment to keep working toward your goal even when things happen that make you want to quit. If you don’t achieve your goal one way, be persistent and try another way!

Don’t forget to reward yourself once you have accomplished your goal!