A value is something that a person considers to be important. Financial values vary from person to person. Not everybody wants the same lifestyle. Some people dream of having expensive cars, spacious homes and many possessions. Others search for the simple life, uncluttered by material goods. Our values influence the way we earn, spend, save, invest and spend money. Personal values are influenced by family and friends, by television and movies, and by what attracts us in the marketplace. For example, you may want to go to college, yet you want to earn money to buy a new car. If you cannot afford both, you must make a choice.

A goal is a preferred future condition. It is more than a hope.Goals help you to get more of what you want out of life. They represent the ideal state to which you aspire, guiding all your actions towards this aspired state.

What do you need to set goals? You need to know who you are (identity), your values, goals that you want to achieve, an action plan to achieve these goals, what motivates you, flexibility and self-discipline.

Knowing who you are will keep you focused as you set priorities and accomplish challenges in your personal and professional lives. When you engage in self-reflection, it is helpful to avoid defining yourself in terms of external trappings, others' expectations or stereotypes.

Establishing your values will help you to set goals in priority. Without values, all goals will be important, making it difficult for you to decide which should take precedence.

Goals need to be specific. They should have a defined objective and deadline that allow you to assess your progress.
Goals need to be challenging but realistic. Set intermediate short-term goals that bring you closer to your ultimate goals.

Keep the vision of your goals clear and compelling by using visual representations like tree diagrams and mind