Aligning With Values: The Neuroscience of Values-Based Actions

  August 29, 2024

Malin was an ambitious young woman with a clear goal: she wanted to become a renowned architect. She envisioned her name being associated with iconic buildings and designs, her work influencing cityscapes and becoming part of architectural history. To achieve this, Malin threw herself into her career, working late nights, sacrificing weekends, and constantly striving for the next big project. She believed that success required total commitment and that, to reach the top, everything else had to take a back seat.

However, despite her dedication, Malin felt increasingly disconnected and dissatisfied. Her relationships with family and friends were strained, and the joy she once felt in designing and creating was replaced with a sense of burden. She was constantly stressed and felt like she was running on a treadmill, moving fast but getting nowhere. This all came to a head when, after years of chasing her dream, Malin realized she was profoundly unhappy. Her work no longer excited her, and she questioned whether the life she was building was the one she truly wanted.

Pursuing Goals Without Values

Malin's story is not uncommon. Many people set ambitious goals, believing that the pursuit of success, recognition, or financial gain will bring them fulfillment. However, they often neglect to align these goals with their core values—those deep-seated beliefs and principles that define what is truly important to them. When actions and goals are not grounded in personal values, the result can be a profound sense of disconnection and dissatisfaction, much like what Malin experienced.

Neuroscience and psychology reveal that this misalignment between values and actions can lead to chronic stress and burnout. The brain's reward system, which is driven by dopamine, plays a crucial role in motivation and goal-directed behavior. When we pursue goals that align with our values, the brain releases dopamine, reinforcing our efforts and contributing to a sense of purpose and satisfaction. Conversely, when our actions are not aligned with our values, the brain's reward system is less engaged, leading to feelings of frustration and emptiness (Schultz, 2015).

Psychological research also supports this. Studies have shown that individuals who live in accordance with their values experience higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction (Sheldon & Elliot, 1999). In contrast, when there is a discrepancy between one's values and actions, it can lead to internal conflict, stress, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment (Kasser & Ryan, 1996).

The Impact of Value Misalignment

Consider what happened to Malin. Despite achieving significant milestones in her career, she was miserable. Her relentless pursuit of professional success at the expense of everything else led to a life that felt empty and unfulfilling. Her relationships suffered, her creativity waned, and the joy she once found in her work disappeared. Malin was successful by external standards, but internally, she was struggling.

The human brain is wired to seek coherence between our beliefs and our actions. When there is a misalignment, cognitive dissonance occurs—a psychological state where conflicting attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors cause discomfort. This discomfort can manifest as anxiety, stress, and a sense of unease (Festinger, 1957). Malin’s experience of burnout, dissatisfaction, and stress was a direct result of this dissonance.

Moreover, the constant stress and dissatisfaction stemming from value misalignment can have serious long-term effects. Chronic stress is known to impair cognitive function, particularly in areas of the brain responsible for memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation (McEwen, 2007). Over time, this can lead to burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a sense of ineffectiveness (Maslach & Leiter, 2016).

For Malin, the turning point came when she hit what felt like rock bottom. Realizing that her current path was unsustainable, she sought the help of a mentor who asked her a simple, yet profound question: "What do you truly value?" This question forced Malin to pause and reflect on what really mattered to her, beyond the societal markers of success she had been chasing.

Aligning Actions with Values

When Malin took the time to explore her values, she discovered that creativity, connection, and contribution were at the core of who she was. She realized that her love for architecture stemmed not from a desire for recognition but from a passion for creating spaces that enhanced people’s lives and fostered community. She valued meaningful relationships and wanted to contribute to something larger than herself.

With this newfound clarity, Malin began to reassess her goals and how she approached her work. She made a conscious decision to align her professional aspirations with her core values. This meant saying no to projects that didn’t resonate with her values and seeking out opportunities that allowed her to express her creativity and make a positive impact. She also made time to nurture her relationships and engage in activities that brought her joy outside of work.

The transformation was profound. Malin found that as she aligned her actions with her values, her motivation and energy returned. Her work became a source of joy again, and she felt a renewed sense of purpose. The quality of her relationships improved, and she experienced greater overall life satisfaction.

The Science Behind Values-Based Actions

Values-based actions are not just about feeling good, they have a solid foundation in neuroscience and psychology. When our actions align with our values, the brain’s reward system is engaged, which enhances motivation and reinforces positive behavior. This is because values-based actions provide intrinsic motivation—a type of motivation that arises from within and is driven by personal satisfaction and fulfillment (Deci & Ryan, 1985).

Research in positive psychology further underscores the importance of living in alignment with one’s values. Studies have shown that individuals who live according to their values experience greater well-being, resilience, and life satisfaction (Schwartz & Sortheix, 2018). These individuals are more likely to experience flow—a state of deep engagement and absorption in activities that are both challenging and meaningful (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). Flow is associated with enhanced performance, creativity, and happiness.

Moreover, aligning actions with values can have a positive impact on mental health. Research has found that individuals who pursue goals that are congruent with their values are more likely to experience greater well-being and lower symptoms of depression (Sheldon & Kasser, 1998). This is because values-based actions foster a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness—key psychological needs that, when fulfilled, contribute to overall well-being (Deci & Ryan, 2000).

Practical Steps to Align Actions with Values

1. Identify Your Core Values: The first step in aligning your actions with your values is to clearly identify what those values are. Reflect on moments when you felt truly fulfilled and ask yourself what values were being honored in those moments. Common values include creativity, connection, integrity, growth, and contribution.
2. Assess Your Current Goals and Actions: Once you have identified your core values, take a close look at your current goals and actions. Are they aligned with your values? Are you pursuing goals that truly matter to you, or are you chasing external markers of success that don’t resonate with your values?
3. Make Adjustments: If you find that your actions and goals are not aligned with your values, it’s time to make adjustments. This might mean setting new goals that are more in line with your values, or changing how you approach your current goals. It could also involve letting go of certain pursuits that are not serving you.
4. Seek Support: Aligning your actions with your values can be challenging, especially if it requires making significant changes in your life. Seek support from mentors, coaches, or trusted friends who can help you stay on track and provide guidance.
5. Reflect Regularly: Values can evolve over time, so it’s important to regularly reflect on your values and how they are guiding your actions. Make it a habit to check in with yourself and ensure that you are living in alignment with what matters most to you.

Conclusion

By aligning her actions with her values, Malin not only revitalized her career but also rediscovered a sense of purpose and fulfillment that she had lost. Her journey underscores a powerful truth: when we live in alignment with our values, we tap into a deeper source of motivation, satisfaction, and well-being.

Malin’s story is a reminder that success is not just about achieving external goals but about living a life that is true to who we are. When our actions are guided by our values, we move through life with greater clarity, confidence, and joy. Neuroscience and psychology both support this—values-based actions engage our brain’s reward system, enhance our well-being, and lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

In the end, the key to sustained performance and lasting happiness lies not in chasing external validation but in aligning our actions with our deepest values. By doing so, we can achieve our goals with integrity, build meaningful relationships, and create a life that truly reflects who we are at our core.

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