Values and meaningful action / VAL-A01-1
Values versus Goals — Concept brief
Understand the idea behind values versus goals and consider whether it fits your context.
8 minutes · Handout · Adults; supported use as appropriate
Fictional example: Avery values learning and has a goal of finishing a course.
Use an ordinary or fictional example, with a clinician when appropriate. A value can guide ongoing action while a goal describes a possible milestone.
The idea
A value can guide ongoing action while a goal describes a possible milestone.
An ordinary example
Avery values learning and has a goal of finishing a course.
What this can look like
Sort chosen qualities, concrete goals, and external expectations into separate groups.
Check the fit
Which quality can be expressed even if the milestone is delayed? You may disagree with the framing, use fiction, or decide that this approach is not useful today.
A useful distinction
A value can guide ongoing action even when a goal is delayed or a barrier requires external support.
Prompts for this resource
- What part of this idea makes sense to me?
- Which quality can be expressed even if the milestone is delayed?
Conceptual background
Valuing as a Choice — Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
Background on the approach only. Original exercises and wording are by More Than Therapy with AI assistance; the source does not validate or endorse these materials.