Find your Why: Your Guide to Setting Purpose-Driven Goals

Why Most Goals Fail (and What You Can Do Differently)

Let’s face it, setting goals is easy. Sticking to them? That’s where most of us stumble. The reason isn’t a lack of discipline or motivation. The truth is, most goals fail because they lack purpose.

We set goals that sound good on paper or look impressive on social media, but deep down, they don’t reflect who we are or what truly matters to us.

That’s where purpose-driven goals come in.

Unlike traditional goal setting, purpose-driven goals are grounded in your values, passions, and long-term vision. They’re not just tasks to check off – they’re intentional steps aligned with your personal “why.” When you know why you want something, you’re far more likely to stay committed, resilient, and inspired along the way.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to set purpose-driven goals that truly stick. We’ll explore:

The importance of internal clarity
How to use the Ikigai framework to uncover your purpose
Aligning goals with your core values
Applying the SMART goals method to your purpose
Bringing your vision to life with goal-setting templates and vision boards

Let’s get started.

Why Purpose-Driven Goals Matter More Than Ever

We live in a world obsessed with achievement. Hustle harder. Do more. Climb higher. But what happens when you finally hit that target, and it doesn’t feel the way you thought it would?

That’s a sign your goals are based on external expectations, not internal clarity.

Purpose-driven goals flip the script. They start from within. They’re guided by your personal mission, your authentic desires, and your unique values. When your goals are purpose-driven:

You’re more likely to stay committed, even when it gets hard
Your actions feel meaningful, not just productive
You build habits and systems that reflect who you want to become
You feel more fulfilled, not just accomplished

Think about it: would you rather chase a number on a scale, or build a healthy life because you value energy, longevity, and self-respect? Would you rather aim for a job title or pursue a career that allows you to contribute, grow, and thrive?

Purpose-driven goals bring depth to ambition. They connect effort with emotion, and that’s what makes them sustainable.

Discover Your Personal Why with the Ikigai Framework

Before you can set meaningful goals, you need to understand your why – the deeper reason that drives you.

One of the most effective tools for this is the Ikigai framework. Ikigai, a Japanese concept, means “a reason for being.” It represents the sweet spot where four elements overlap:

What you love
What you’re good at
What the world needs
What can sustain you

Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Draw four intersecting circles, each labelled with the categories above.
Step 2: Fill each one with as many answers as come to mind.
Step 3: Look for overlaps and themes – this is your Ikigai zone.

Here are some examples:

Example 1:

What you love: Helping people, writing, self-development
What you’re good at: Coaching, public speaking, empathy
What the world needs: Mental health support, encouragement, connection
What you can be paid for: Life coaching, online content, workshops

👉 Ikigai: Launching a coaching programme for women seeking clarity and confidence.

Example 2:

What you love: Nature, travel, photography
What you’re good at: Visual storytelling, tech tools, design
What the world needs: Sustainable tourism, environmental awareness
What you can be paid for: Travel photography, eco-tour content creation

👉 Ikigai: Creating a blog and photo series that promotes eco-conscious travel.

You’ll notice how the magic happens in the overlap – that’s your sweet spot for purpose-driven goals.

20 Journaling Questions to Help You Find Your Ikigai

Finding your ikigai doesn’t happen overnight and will take trial and error. The first step is to self-reflect, and journaling is a great way to do that! Just open a notebook and start writing what comes to mind.

What activities make me lose track of time?
What do people often ask me for help with?
When do I feel the most energised or alive?
What am I naturally good at without trying too hard?
What did I love doing as a child that I’ve forgotten?
What problems or issues in the world do I feel drawn to solve?
Who do I admire and what about them inspires me?
If money wasn’t a factor, how would I spend my days?
What do I believe the world needs more of?
What do I wish more people understood or experienced?
What would I still do even if I failed at it a few times?
What skills have I developed that others value?
When do I feel most confident and at ease?
What compliments do I consistently receive from others?
What do I want to contribute or leave behind?
What’s one thing I could talk about for hours?
What makes me angry because I care about it deeply?
If I had to teach something tomorrow, what would I teach?
What kind of impact do I want to make in people’s lives?
How can I combine my passions, skills, and values into one mission?

When you use Ikigai to guide your goals, you’re no longer chasing trends – you’re creating direction based on purpose. And purpose-driven goals set from this place carry deep emotional weight. If you’d like to get to know yourself even better, try the clarity journaling challenge!

If you’d like to learn more about this beautiful concept, I can absolutely recommend the Ikigai books by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles:

Align Your Goals with Your Core Values

Now that you’ve explored your purpose through Ikigai, it’s time to dig deeper into the beliefs that shape your decisions: your core values. These are the principles that matter most to you – the invisible forces that guide your choices, reactions, and sense of fulfilment.

Setting purpose-driven goals means making sure your ambitions line up with your values. If your goal clashes with your values, you’ll feel inner resistance. You may reach the goal, but it won’t satisfy you.

Identifying Your Core Values

Start with a brainstorming session. Choose from values like:

Integrity	Creativity	Freedom	Connection
Growth	Authenticity	Adventure	Simplicity
Balance	Compassion	Honesty	Loyalty
Curiosity	Gratitude	Contribution	Peace
Courage	Discipline	Spirituality	Learning
Security	Respect	Community	Passion
Purpose	Kindness	Responsibility	Empathy
Leadership	Joy	Self-Expression	Wellness
Abundance	Service	Determination	Excellence
Trust	Open-Mindedness	Resilience	Mindfulness
Patience	Independence	Stability	Generosity

Narrow down to your top 3–5. These are your decision-making anchors.

Values in Action

Let’s say one of your core values is freedom. On paper, a job promotion with a higher salary sounds like a win. But if it comes with tighter control, longer hours, and less personal time, it could quickly feel like a trap. In contrast, a purpose-driven goal might be to negotiate remote work, explore freelancing, or build something of your own – paths that offer the autonomy you truly crave.

If you deeply value creativity, falling into a predictable routine or being boxed into rigid systems can feel draining. A traditional corporate role may look secure, but it leaves your soul unfulfilled. A better goal might be starting a passion project, designing your own product line, or finding a job that encourages innovation and experimentation.

For someone who values security, taking financial risks or diving into uncertainty might feel more stressful than exciting. A flashy startup role might not align with your need for stability. Instead, a purpose-aligned goal could be building savings, securing consistent income streams, or investing in long-term career development.

When growth is a top value, you’ll likely feel restless in roles or routines that don’t challenge you. Even if everything looks “good” from the outside, you may feel stuck. In that case, purpose-driven goals could involve enrolling in a new course, stepping into a leadership opportunity, or pushing beyond your comfort zone in small but meaningful ways.

If your value is connection, it’s not just about success – it’s about who you’re sharing the journey with. A solo career or isolated working environment might eventually feel hollow. A more aligned goal could involve building community, nurturing deeper relationships, or collaborating on something that creates shared impact.

How to Identify Your Core Values

Try this simple 3-step method:

1. Reflect on Peak Moments
Think of a time when you felt deeply fulfilled or proud. What values were present in that moment? (e.g. freedom, service, authenticity)

2. Reflect on Frustrating Moments
Now think of a time when you felt angry, anxious, or misaligned. What value was being ignored or violated? (e.g. honesty, respect, growth)

3. List and Rank
From a master list of values, choose 10 that resonate. Then narrow to 5 – and finally 3 non-negotiables. These are your guiding lights.

Journal Prompts to Clarify Your Values

When was the last time I felt fully “in flow”? What was I doing?
What frustrates or angers me the most, and what does that say about what I value?
What do I need to feel like myself in a relationship, job, or home?
What kind of people do I naturally respect and admire, and why?
What do I want people to say about me when I’m not in the room?
When I picture my ideal life, what values are being lived out every day?
Which values feel like non-negotiables, even if they create tension with others?
Which goals on my current list don’t align with my values and need to be adjusted or released?

This alignment gives you clarity and helps you filter out distractions. It also strengthens your “why” – because when goals honour your values, you don’t have to force motivation. It flows naturally.

Turn Your Purpose-driven Goals into Actionable Goals (Using SMART Framework)

Having a strong why is essential, but purpose-driven goals still need structure to become real. That’s where the SMART goal method comes in.

SMART stands for:

Specific – What exactly do you want to accomplish?
Measurable – How will you track progress?
Achievable – Is this realistic and within your control?
Relevant – Does it connect to your purpose and values?
Time-bound – What’s the deadline or timeline?

Let’s say your Ikigai and values point toward creativity and growth, and your purpose is to share your voice with others.

Here’s how that becomes a SMART goal:

❌ Vague goal: “I want to be more creative.”
✅ SMART goal: “I will write one blog post per week for the next 3 months to grow my personal brand and express my creativity.”

Notice how it ties directly to purpose. It’s not just about writing but about aligning with a creative calling and building something meaningful.

Purpose-driven goals come to life when they have both emotional clarity and practical structure. Use SMART to bring your dreams down to earth – without losing what makes them meaningful.

Bring Your Vision to Life with Visual Tools

You’ve defined your purpose. You’ve aligned it with your values. You’ve shaped your goals using SMART.

Now it’s time to bring it to life – visually.

Visual tools like vision boards, goal-setting templates, and habit trackers give you a daily reminder of where you’re headed and why it matters.

1. Vision Boards

A vision board is a collage of images, words, and symbols that represent your goals and values. It’s a powerful tool for keeping your “why” visible and emotionally charged.

Include:

Visuals that reflect your purpose
Quotes or affirmations that inspire action
Milestones you want to reach

Keep it where you’ll see it daily – on your wall, in your planner, or digitally on your phone.

2. Goal-Setting Templates

Using structured templates (like those in your Poserlane planner) can help you:

Break big goals into manageable steps
Track progress with clarity
Stay accountable week by week

These templates bridge the gap between intention and execution. When combined with your purpose and values, they make your path doable, not just dreamable.

3. Habit Trackers

Purpose-driven goals don’t happen all at once – they’re built through small, repeated actions. That’s where habit trackers shine.

A habit tracker helps you:

Build consistency by tracking daily or weekly behaviours
Visually see progress (which boosts momentum)
Stay accountable without relying on willpower alone

How to Use a Habit Tracker:

Choose habits aligned with your bigger goal (e.g. journaling, workouts, reading, water intake).
Keep it visible: in your planner, on your wall, or in a digital app.
Don’t aim for perfection! Focus on trends and patterns instead.

Over time, your daily habits will compound into major progress, and your tracker becomes a visual proof of your growth.

Common Pitfalls and How to Stay Purpose-Focused

Even the most intentional goals can lose their spark over time. Life gets busy. Resistance creeps in. Old habits return. Staying connected to your purpose-driven goals takes conscious effort – especially when motivation dips.

Here are a few common pitfalls and how to overcome them:

❌ Setting Goals Based on Trends or Pressure

It’s tempting to chase what looks impressive or popular. But if your goal isn’t meaningful to you, you’ll burn out quickly. Revisit your values and ask: Am I doing this because I want it, or because I think I should?

❌ Perfection Paralysis

Trying to get everything “just right” before starting often leads to inaction. Progress beats perfection every time. Break your goal into micro-steps and focus on the next one. Take one step after another!

❌ Losing Sight of the Why

When a goal becomes just another item on a to-do list, it loses its emotional weight. Keep reminders of your purpose visible – a journal entry, your Ikigai notes, your vision board.

How to Stay Purpose-Focused

Schedule weekly check-ins with your goals and ask, Does this still feel aligned?
Journal regularly about your “why”, especially when things feel unclear
Celebrate progress not just results
Allow your goals to evolve. If your values shift, your goals should too

Purpose-driven goals are living goals – they grow with you, not against you.

Journal Prompts to Deepen Clarity and Commitment

Use these prompts to reflect on your journey and strengthen your connection to your goals. You can do one a day, or revisit them whenever you feel stuck.

What does “purpose” mean to me right now?
What kind of goals energise me, and which ones drain me?
What values do I want my life to reflect daily?
What would success feel like, not just look like?
Which goal makes me nervous because it really matters?
How will my life change when I reach this goal?
What do I need to release to move forward?
Who do I become by pursuing this goal?
What small step can I take this week to honour my purpose?
What’s one goal I need to let go of because it no longer aligns with who I am?
What do I want more of, and how can my goals bring that into my life?
Where am I holding back, and why?
What’s my deeper reason for choosing this path?
What reminders or rituals can I build into my day to stay connected to my goals?
If I were already living in alignment with my purpose, what would today look like?

Conclusion: Purpose is the Fuel – Goals are the Map

Anyone can set a goal. But if it isn’t driven by purpose, it’s just a checkbox.

Purpose-driven goals give your ambition depth. They’re not about impressing others – they’re about becoming who you want to be.

Start with your why. Use Ikigai to discover what lights you up. Define your core values. Create SMART goals that bring clarity and focus. Then use tools like vision boards and goal-setting templates to stay on track.

This isn’t just about productivity – it’s about living intentionally. Your goals don’t need to be loud or flashy. They just need to be real. Aligned. True. That’s the kind of goal that sticks – because it matters.

Finding Your Why: A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Purpose-Driven Goals

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