Living in Alignment, Part 3: Building a Resilient Life by Aligning Long-Term Goals With Your Values
- Britt Ritchie
- Aug 23
- 3 min read
Now it’s time for the long game — making sure your big-picture goals align with your values so you can stay motivated, avoid burnout, and actually enjoy the life you’re building.
Because here’s the truth: I’ve worked with so many ambitious, talented people in Denver who have achieved amazing things — promotions, degrees, awards, even dream homes — only to feel flat, drained, or unfulfilled.
Why?
Because those goals looked great on paper but didn’t match their values.
When Your Goals Don’t Match Your Values
Goals can be sneaky. You might set them because:
They’re expected in your career path.
They make sense financially.
They’re what “successful” people do.
But if they’re not rooted in your values, achieving them can feel empty. Even worse, the process of chasing them can drain your energy, strain your relationships, and erode your mental health.
Why Values Create Resilience
When your goals match your values, you:
Have a why that keeps you going when challenges arise.
Experience less self-doubt and second-guessing.
Feel energized by the process, not just the outcome.
And resilience isn’t just about pushing through — it’s about recovering faster, adapting more easily, and staying connected to your sense of purpose no matter what’s happening around you.
How I Apply This in My Own Life
My values of health, curiosity, and growth shape every big decision I make — from business plans to personal projects. That means:
I won’t set a business growth goal that would require sacrificing my own health or downtime.
I prioritize continuing education because curiosity fuels my work.
I choose goals that stretch me in ways that also support my relationships, not strain them.
This approach keeps me grounded and helps me model for my clients what it means to live in alignment — not just talk about it.
A 4-Step Process to Align Your Goals With Your Values
Review Your Current Goals
List your major personal and professional goals.
Check Them Against Your Values
For each goal, ask: Does this reflect my top values?
Adjust or Release Goals That Don’t Fit
It’s okay to change course — sometimes the bravest thing you can do is let go of a goal that no longer serves you.
Plan With Your Values in Mind
Break your goals into steps, making sure each one supports your well-being, relationships, and bigger purpose.
The Denver Connection
Denver’s culture is full of high achievers — people who want to climb mountains in their careers and on the weekends. But that energy can turn into burnout if your goals are driven by outside pressure instead of internal alignment.
When your long-term plans match your values, you can fully enjoy the opportunities Colorado offers without sacrificing your health or happiness in the process.
Bringing It All Together
Over this series, we’ve covered:
How to align your long-term goals with those values.
Values-based living isn’t about perfection — it’s about direction. When your choices, habits, and big-picture plans all reflect what matters most to you, your mental health has a stronger foundation.
Ready to Build a Life That’s Truly Yours?
If you’ve been searching for a psychiatrist in Denver or Denver psychiatrists who can help you go beyond symptom management to create a life that’s both sustainable and meaningful, I’d love to help.
Start here:
How often do you check if your goals match your values?
Regularly — it’s part of my planning
Sometimes — but not consistently
Rarely — I focus on achievement first
Never — I’ve never thought about it
Comments