That exercise bike in the basement isn't a sign of laziness; it's proof of a values mismatch. On Modern Wisdom, Chris Bailey argues that a 'graveyard of forgotten goals' appears when we chase targets that conflict with our core motivations, not because we lack discipline.
Bailey's framework builds on the work of psychologist Shalom Schwartz, who mapped 12 foundational human values. They range from self-direction and stimulation to security and social prestige. Failure usually means you adopted a goal rooted in a value you don't actually hold.
Fitness illustrates the point perfectly. Someone might aim for six-pack abs motivated by 'face,' or social status. If that person truly values pleasure or comfort more, their motivation will disappear when the initial effort feels painful.
Chris Bailey, Modern Wisdom:
- We all have a sort of graveyard of forgotten goals.
- What separates the goals we achieve from the ones we don't is how they align with our values.
Research suggests values even manifest differently by gender. Women more often pursue fitness for pleasure and well-being, while men frequently frame it as security or achievement.
The solution is an audit. Stacking daily tasks onto a long-term identity only works if that identity reflects your authentic values. The friction isn't in the work itself, but in working against your own grain.
Chris Bailey, Modern Wisdom:
- An intention is just a plan that we're going to do something.
- Values are a type of intention because they are something we intend to be.
Understanding your specific blend of these 12 values becomes a productivity superpower. When actions align with what you genuinely intend to be, effort stops feeling like effort.
