If you are struggling to achieve your goals the chances are that your goals are not in alignment with your values. The hierarchy of your values actually dictates our lives - the decisions we make and what we do as a consequence and therefore the results we achieve.

Dr John Demartini, one of the world's leading behavioural experts and a powerful and internationally acclaimed motivational speaker says:

"When we set goals that are congruent to our highest values we tend to gain confidence. Anytime we set goals that are not congruent with our highest values we lose confidence."

If your goals are not aligned with your values you will tend to procrastinate when it comes to taking action and so self-sabotage your efforts to achieve your goals. On the other hand, if your goals are aligned with your values you will find that taking action to achieve your goals comes more naturally. As you take action you start to gain positive results, this builds confidence and self-esteem and further fuels your progression towards achieving your goals.

If you suspect your values and goals are not in harmony here are three (3) tips to help you create compatibility between your values and goals:

1. Change your values or at least the hierarchy of your values,

2. Change your goals so that they align with your values, or

3. Align your values and your goals.

1. Change Your Values

There's nothing wrong with changing your values and people do it all the time. For instance, when a couple have their first child, parents often have a huge shift in what is important to them and their values change significantly as a consequence. You just need to be very clear on what really matters to you.

2. Change Your Goals

Sometimes we may have goals that do not serve us and will not help us achieve our overall vision for our life. Yet these goals clutter our mind and drain our energy. We experience feelings of frustration whenever we think about these particular goals. It's best to simply strike such goals off your list and devote your time and energy to goals that are empowering because they are in harmony with your values.

3. Align Your Values and Your Goals

Sometimes people don't see how a particular goal may actually be in alignment with rather than in conflict with their highest values. For instance, someone may have spirituality high on their values list and may think that earning lots of money (ethically of course) is not spiritual. Once they understand that this is not the case and that the more money they earn the more they can express their spirituality then the floodgates literally open for them to create more wealth.

When you can align your values and your goals the pursuit of your goals becomes much easier. You will feel more in flow. You will achieve more. This will boost your confidence and self-esteem. You will procrastinate less and your productivity will soar. This is a self-sustaining cycle.

When your goals reflect your values you'll be amazed at how effective you'll become at achieving your goals.