Aligning Goals With Core Values For Effortless Goal Attainment
TL;DR
- Intentionality operates across multiple layers, from daily intentions to core values, requiring alignment across all levels for effective goal attainment and sustained motivation.
- Goals are best viewed as predictions of future actions rather than fixed outcomes, necessitating constant revision and editing to align with evolving realities and personal values.
- Connecting goals to fundamental values, such as self-direction or pleasure, transforms them from obligatory tasks into intrinsically motivating pursuits, making follow-through feel effortless.
- The process of goal attainment involves both learning and performance phases, with a focus on the learning phase absorbing frustration and enabling adaptation to unexpected obstacles.
- Shifting focus from outcome-based goals to process-oriented ones, and experimenting with different strategies, allows for greater progress and smarter goal management over time.
- Recognizing that identity is constructed from values provides a framework for understanding personal motivations and aligning goals with one's authentic self for fulfillment.
- When goals are misaligned with core values, they can be reframed or edited to foster a different relationship, or if that fails, it is more beneficial to drop them entirely.
Deep Dive
Chris Bailey's book "Intentional: How to Finish What You Start" argues that achieving goals requires understanding and integrating multiple layers of intentionality, from daily actions to core values. This framework moves beyond simple goal-setting by emphasizing that our ability to finish what we start hinges on aligning our actions with our fundamental motivations and continuously revising our predictions about the future. The core implication is that true intentionality is not about rigid adherence to a plan, but a dynamic process of self-reflection, adaptation, and value alignment, leading to a more effortless and fulfilling pursuit of our objectives.
The research into intentionality reveals a nested structure, starting with immediate intentions and daily to-do lists at the bottom, progressing through plans and broader goals, and culminating in priorities and foundational values at the top. This "intention stack" highlights that long-term goals are most effectively pursued when they are deeply connected to our intrinsic values, which serve as the ultimate motivational propellant. Without this connection, goals often become "sepia-toned" visions set around specific times like New Year's, which we fail to follow through on because we neglect the ongoing self-reflective practice needed to maintain them. This disconnect between our intentions and our values can lead to disappointment when our predictions about achieving goals prove inaccurate, creating a cycle of failed resolutions.
A critical second-order implication is that goals themselves are essentially predictions about where our actions will lead, and our inherent inaccuracy in predicting the future means these goals must be constantly revised. This involves distinguishing between outcome goals (the desired end state) and process goals (the steps taken to get there), recognizing that both are valuable but require different approaches. Process goals are more experimental and should be frequently swapped out or adjusted to find what is most effective and sustainable, while outcome goals need to be edited to ensure they remain aligned with our evolving values. Failing to revise these predictions can lead to aversion and procrastination, especially for tasks that feel obligatory or disconnected from what truly motivates us.
The book posits that our identity is constructed from these core values, and psychological success is achieved when our actions align with them. This explains why some pursuits feel effortless and intrinsically rewarding, while others require immense discipline and effort. For instance, a goal like "lose 10 pounds" might be pursued for reasons of "face" (how others perceive us), but if "pleasure" or "self-direction" are higher values, reframing the goal to focus on enjoying healthy food or experimenting with fitness routines can create a more sustainable and fulfilling path. This alignment transforms goal achievement from a struggle against oneself into a natural expression of who we are, making follow-through feel less like a chore and more like a continuation of our identity.
Ultimately, the ability to finish what we start is not about brute force or willpower alone, but about cultivating a deep understanding of our personal motivational structure. By consistently editing our goals to reflect our core values and by embracing a process of continuous revision and experimentation, we can navigate the complexities of goal attainment with greater ease and authenticity. This approach empowers individuals to move beyond the common cycle of setting and abandoning resolutions, fostering a more intentional and fulfilling life where our actions are a true expression of our deepest selves.
Action Items
- Create intention stack model: Define daily intentions, plans, goals, priorities, and values to ensure alignment and motivation.
- Audit goal setting process: For 3-5 current goals, analyze alignment with core values (self-direction, pleasure, achievement, etc.).
- Draft value-aligned goal revisions: For misaligned goals, edit outcome or process to connect with identified core values.
- Implement weekly goal review ritual: Track progress on 3-5 key goals and revise process goals based on observed effectiveness.
- Design personal intention ritual: Establish a daily or weekly practice (e.g., 10-minute planning) to transition from default to deliberate intentions.
Key Quotes
"I've been continuing to nerd out about productivity but developing this productivity practice that i have realizing that it's not just about accomplishment and focus but it's about maybe deeper characteristics too that we might need to develop like a sense of mental calm."
Chris Bailey explains that his productivity practice has evolved beyond mere accomplishment and focus to include the development of deeper characteristics, such as mental calm. This suggests that true productivity involves a more holistic approach to well-being, not just task completion.
"The research says that we have are our values and there's actual science behind values lest your eyes be glazing over hearing about values for the nth time -- as as mine would listening to this podcast before uncovering the the interesting research actually behind them but these intentions of all different lengths of time work together with one another in interesting ways."
Chris Bailey highlights that values, supported by scientific research, represent the longest-term intentions we possess. He notes that these intentions, across various timeframes, interact dynamically, indicating that understanding these layers is crucial for effective planning and goal achievement.
"A goal is really just a prediction of where you believe your current and future actions will take you and I don't know if you've ever tried predicting the future but we're horrible at it we're abysmal at it."
Chris Bailey posits that goals are essentially predictions of future outcomes based on current actions. He emphasizes that human beings are inherently poor at accurately predicting the future, which implies that goals should be viewed as flexible projections rather than fixed certainties.
"The research is mixed on it but it it seems to point to the idea that they're both good for different things and so if you look at the intention stack the outcome goal lives a bit above the process goal in the intention stack in that it takes place over a longer period of time and it can be that motivational propellant that you have -- towards your goal."
Chris Bailey discusses the distinction between outcome goals and process goals, noting that research suggests both are valuable for different reasons. He places outcome goals higher in his "intention stack" due to their longer timeframe and their function as a motivational driver.
"Our identity is constructed out of our values so I'm I'm just going to I have them up here on my screen I'm going to list the 12 values because I think once you hear them people will see themselves in them and there's a lot of people listening to this that won't buy the book and so I want to help those people out."
Chris Bailey asserts that personal identity is fundamentally built upon one's values. He intends to list the 12 core values to help listeners identify with them, even if they do not purchase his book, underscoring the foundational role of values in self-perception.
"The real unlock is seeing these in yourself and so when you review that list of goals every week -- you know when you review your list of goals have a process goal have an outcome goal broader outcome goal for each -- I also find it helpful to track my rate of progress for each goal because then I can introduce sort of a self reflective loop around okay how much is this process goal actually working and do I need to throw it out or revise it or pick a different one or do some research on what actually is effective here for this thing that I want to achieve."
Chris Bailey identifies self-awareness of one's values as a key "unlock" for goal achievement. He suggests reviewing goals weekly, tracking progress, and engaging in self-reflection to determine if current process goals are effective or need revision, thereby aligning actions with core motivations.
Resources
External Resources
Books
- "The Productivity Project" by Chris Bailey - Mentioned as a previous book by the author.
- "Hyperfocus" by Chris Bailey - Mentioned as a previous book by the author, related to managing attention.
- "How to Calm Your Mind" by Chris Bailey - Mentioned as a previous book by the author, written during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- "Intentional: How to Finish What You Start" by Chris Bailey - Mentioned as the author's latest book, focusing on intentionality.
People
- Chris Bailey - Author and speaker on productivity and intentionality.
- Jeff Sanders - Host of the 5 am Miracle podcast, keynote speaker, and corporate trainer.
- Laura Vanderkam - Mentioned as a source for the idea that three times a week can establish a habit.
Websites & Online Resources
- jeffsanders.com/speaking - Website for information on Jeff Sanders' speaking engagements.
- chrisbailey.com - Author's website.
- clickup.com/miracle - Website for the sponsor ClickUp, offering a discount on AI add-ons.
Other Resources
- 12 Fundamental Values - A framework discussed as the core motivations people share in varying amounts, influencing goal setting and fulfillment.
- Intention Stack - A model introduced by Chris Bailey for becoming more deliberate, comprising daily intentions, plans, goals, priorities, and values.