17 January 2025 • 3 minute read
Why It’s So Hard to Articulate Our Values and Goals
You know your values. You understand your goals. But can you articulate them? This article explores the hidden challenges of expressing what truly drives us.
--We all have them – those deeply held beliefs and aspirations that drive us. Whether it’s a passion for justice, a yearning for creative expression, or a desire to build a better future, these values and goals form the bedrock of our identity. But here’s the catch: even when we have a strong sense of these inner compass points, putting them into clear, concise language can feel like trying to grasp smoke.
Why is it so difficult to articulate what matters most to us?
The Complexity of Human Experience: Our values and goals aren’t simple, isolated concepts. They’re woven from a tapestry of experiences, relationships, and emotions. They’re nuanced, sometimes contradictory, and often deeply personal. Trying to capture this complexity in words can feel like trying to squeeze an ocean into a teacup.
The Fear of Definition: Defining our values and goals can feel like pinning them down, limiting their potential. We worry that once articulated, they become fixed and inflexible, unable to adapt and evolve with us. This fear of definition can keep them shrouded in a comfortable ambiguity.
The Illusion of Obviousness: Sometimes, our values and goals feel so ingrained, so much a part of who we are, that we assume they’re self-evident. We believe that our actions and choices speak for themselves, rendering explicit articulation unnecessary. But this assumption can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
The Language Barrier: Finding the right words to express deeply held beliefs and aspirations can be a linguistic challenge. We may struggle to find words that accurately capture the nuances of our inner world, leaving us feeling frustrated and inarticulate.
The Evolving Self: We are not static beings. Our values and goals shift and evolve as we grow and learn. What felt true and important yesterday may take on a new meaning tomorrow. This constant evolution can make it challenging to articulate something that feels perpetually in flux.
Overcoming the Articulation Challenge
Despite the difficulty, articulating our values and goals is essential. It allows us to:
- Gain clarity and self-awareness: The process of putting our values and goals into words forces us to examine them more closely, leading to deeper understanding.1
- Make conscious choices: Clearly defined values and goals act as a guiding compass, helping us make decisions that align with what truly matters to us.2
- Communicate effectively: Articulating our values and goals allows us to share them with others, fostering understanding and collaboration.3
- Hold ourselves accountable: When our values and goals are clearly defined, we can measure our actions against them, ensuring we stay true to ourselves.
So, how can we overcome the challenge of articulation?
- Reflect deeply: Take time for introspection. Journal, meditate, or engage in conversations that encourage self-reflection.
- Start small: Begin by identifying a few core values or goals. Don’t try to capture everything at once.
- Use metaphors and analogies: If precise language fails, explore metaphors and analogies to convey the essence of your values and goals.
- Embrace imperfection: Don’t strive for perfection. Accept that your articulation will evolve and refine over time.
- Seek feedback: Share your articulations with trusted friends or colleagues and ask for their feedback.
Articulating our values and goals is a journey, not a destination. It’s an ongoing process of self-discovery and refinement. By embracing this process, we empower ourselves to live with intention, authenticity, and purpose.
This article was written in collaboration with Gemini Advanced, an AI language model.