VALUES AND COMMITTED ACTION

Clarification of what is important to the athlete beyond the outcome.

In the context of ACT, values differ from goals in that they are chosen life directions, not destinations that are arrived at and checked off a list.

They function as an internal compass that guides behavior regardless of external circumstances.

Clarifying values helps the athlete find intrinsic purpose in the suffering and effort of high performance, beyond medals or recognition.

For example, a professional cyclist may have "winning the stage" as a goal, but "perseverance and companionship" as a value.

If during the race he suffers a puncture and loses the option to win (frustrated goal), his values remain valid.

You can choose to keep pedaling hard to finish with dignity or help a team leader to regain position.

By connecting with the value of "perseverance," the effort maintains its meaning even in the absence of immediate external reward, which prevents mental abandonment.

Commitment to value-aligned behaviors despite discomfort.

Committed action is the visible behavioral component of psychological flexibility: doing what matters, even when it is difficult.

It involves establishing patterns of activity that build a valued life, accepting the discomfort that may arise as a toll of the journey.

Tools such as the "Sports Lifeline" are used to visualize the ongoing choice between the avoidance path (comfortable but empty) and the value path (challenging but fulfilling). Consider a rugby player recovering from a serious injury.

The avoidance path would be not going to the gym on days he feels pain or fear of relapse.

The value path, guided by his desire to "be a reliable athlete," involves performing the painful and tedious rehab every morning.

Committed action involves noticing the desire to stay in bed, recognizing the fear, yet still getting up and completing the physical therapy session, reaffirming with your feet (action) what matters to you in your heart.

Summary

Values function as an internal compass, differing from goals in that they are vital directions, not destinations. They guide behavior continuously, providing purpose regardless of external circumstances or outcomes.

Clarifying values helps to find intrinsic meaning in the suffering of high performance. Connecting to principles such as perseverance sustains effort and prevents abandonment when immediate rewards fail.

Committed action is the execution of value-aligned behaviors despite discomfort. It involves choosing the challenging but fulfilling path over comfortable avoidance, reaffirming identity through concrete acts.