Aligning Work and Life with Personal Goals and Values

How are you doing when it comes to achieving success? Are you clear what is most important?  Does your sense of ambition align with your personal goals and values?  For sure, it is hard to “have it all,” but having a balanced life with a clear sense of purpose is vital for true success.

There is only one person who can define what is most important in your life – of course, that would be you! 

Figuring this out this takes time and effort. Too often in our busy lives, we skim along life’s surface without being sure we are investing our energy in what is most important. But if we fail to set aside the time, including periodic reviews and adjustments, we only have ourselves to blame when life boils over into inevitable frustration. Perhaps some coaching could help you get to a better place in life and work.

Your definition of success needs to incorporate more than what you do for a paycheck. I sometimes hear a person described as “successful” with an implied focus exclusively on income and career. A better meaning of success extends to other aspects of life including health, family, friendships, and community involvement -- not to mention personal characteristics such as kindness, authenticity, courage, wisdom, and treating others with dignity and respect.

As an aside, I find the term work-life balance far too limiting; after all work is part of life, not separate!

Would you benefit from taking some time to reflect more deeply on your goals and how to reach them? Write key ideas down and create a personal strategic plan for success.

We each have an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, including our own. Don’t underestimate your impact!  

You can read my full NH Business Review column on this topic, titled “Ambition that Drives Success,” at https://www.nhbr.com/ambition-that-drives-success/