August 1, 2009

Setting Goals That Stick: Well-Formed Outcomes

Most of us know the theory of goal setting. Yet many goals fade within weeks. In my coaching work I use a process from NLP called a well-formed outcome, which turns a vague wish into something your whole mind can get behind. It works beautifully alongside the familiar SMART approach (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound).

The nine questions

Take one goal and work through these. Write your answers down.

  • 1. What specifically do you want? State it in the positive: what you want, not what you want to stop.
  • 2. Where are you now? Be honest about your starting point.
  • 3. What will it be like when you have it? What will you see, hear and feel? Make the picture vivid and appealing.
  • 4. How will you know you’ve achieved it? Decide on your evidence.
  • 5. What will it give you? What will this outcome allow you to do or be?
  • 6. Is it within your control? Can you start it and maintain it yourself, without depending on someone else changing?
  • 7. Where, when and with whom do you want it? Context matters.
  • 8. What resources do you need? What do you already have? Have you done something like this before? Who do you know who has?
  • 9. Is it ecological? How will it affect the rest of your life and the people you care about? What might you lose? Is it still worth it?

Why these questions work

Each question addresses a common reason goals fail. Negative goals keep your attention on the problem. Vague goals give your brain nothing to aim for. Goals that depend on other people leave you powerless. And goals that clash with other things you value tend to get quietly sabotaged.

Lessons from Sue Knight

I’ve long admired NLP trainer Sue Knight’s writing on goals, which I shared years ago. Two of her ideas stay with me. First, imagine “standing in the accomplishment”: step into the future where the goal is achieved and notice how it feels, then look back at the steps you took to get there. Second, hold your goals a little lightly. Goals are often achieved in a different form or at a different time than we expected, sometimes in a way that fits our lives even better.

Making it real

  • Choose the first step. What’s one action you’re willing to commit to this week?
  • Anchor the feeling. Pick an image, word or gesture that reminds you how achieving the goal will feel.
  • Use positive self-talk. Affirmations work best when they’re believable and paired with action.
  • Review regularly. Adjust the plan as you learn.

Coaching sessions give you space to work through these questions with someone who will challenge and support you, and hypnosis can help you rehearse the future you’re building.

If you’d like to find out whether this approach is a good fit for you, I offer a free, no-pressure consultation. Get in touch here and we can talk it through.