What is the Difference Between a Goal and a Core Value?

Last year, I wrote about what is the difference between a goal and an intention? Recently I had the question from a client, what is the difference between a goal and a core value? So today, I am going to share that!

In this post I will discuss –

• What is a Goal?
• What is a Core Value?
• What is the Difference Between a Goal and a Core Value?

Let’s get started!

What is a Goal?

The definitions of goals I discovered were –

• “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.” ~ Google and Oxford Dictionaries
• “the end toward which effort is directed.” ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionaries
• “an aim or purpose” ~ Cambridge Dictionary
• “the result or achievement toward which effort is directed” ~ Dictionary.com

Generally goals follow the SMART process – S for Specific, M for Measurable, A for Achievable, R for Relevant and T for Time-Based.

What is a Value, a Value System and a Core Value?

The term value, sometimes is used interchangeably with a value system and / or core values, so I decided to share them all. Following are the definitions of a value, a value system and core values –

• Value – “The regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.” – Oxford Dictionaries
• “A personal value is absolute or relative and ethical value, the assumption of which can be the basis for ethical action. A value system is a set of consistent values and measures. A principle value is a foundation upon which other values and measures of integrity are based.” – Wikipedia
• Value – “A principle, standard, or quality considered worthwhile or desirable.” – The Free Dictionary
• Value – “Principles or standards of behaviour; one’s judgement of what is important in life.” – Google search
• “Core values are the fundamental beliefs of a person or organization. The core values are the guiding principles that dictate behavior and action. Core values can help people to know what is right from wrong; they can help companies to determine if they are on the right path and fulfilling their business goals; and they create an unwavering and unchanging guide.” – Your Dictionary

What is the Difference Between a Goal and a Core Value?

As you can see by the above, the key difference between a goal and a core value is –

• a goal is can be achieved and core values continue to guide us before, during and after achieving a goal,
• a goal is something we do and core values are something we are,
• a goal is set by the individual, whilst core values are discovered or decided upon,
• a goal can be set externally, how a core value is the individual and comes from within,
• a goal is a destination, whilst core values are more directions,

Questions for Reflection –

The following questions might help you get a sense of the differences between a goal and a core value –

1. How do you feel when you don’t achieve or accomplish a goal? Now, how do you feel when you do achieve or accomplish a goal?
2. How do you feel when you someone has different values to you?

“If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I am living for, in detail, ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for.”

~ Thomas Merton

I hope this post has helped you identify the difference between a goal and a core value. If you have any further questions, please comment below.

If you are ready to reclaim your courage and take the next step towards freedom and opening your heart, why not join our Toolkit?