Some of us do it. Most of us don’t.

Goal setting should function as an absolute non-negotiable and the pre-requisite to success in most (if not all) areas of your life. Yet, amazingly, 95% of the population DO NOT set goals. And who do you think that these 95% of the population work for? The 5% who do!

Throughout my later education and specifically whilst doing my MBA, it was drummed into me and my classmates of the necessity for GOALS to be S.M.A.R.T. Now probably only 50% of us would have heard of that acronym before so, in brief, the theory was that ALL goals that you set in business or for pleasure needed to be S.M.A.R.T:

S – Specific

M – Measurable

A – Attainable

R – Realistic

T – Time Bound

For those of you new to that, it’s pretty compelling and is excellent in helping to visualise a goal. Unfortunately though; it lacks any real specificity. And for me personally it was a tool I solely relied on to chase and hunt down many of my wildest dreams.

In more recent times, however, I’ve invested significant time in NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) to further develop the power of the mind. NLP has also allowed me to go beyond merely setting a goal and instead program my mind into driving toward that goal. In simple terms; rather than using S.M.A.R.T to set the goal and walk the path alone, NLP allows me to set the goal but also hold my hand as I journey down that path.

Let me share a bit more detail on how that works.

The brain operates primarily through our sensory system (pictures, sounds, feelings). The NLP goal setting model facilitates this by ensuring the goal is sensory specific. But it doesn’t stop there. For the brain not only uses the sensory system, it also uses our word meanings to drive the sensory system. For this reason, the NLP Goal Setting Model makes absolutely sure that we articulate ourselves in such a way as to drive the very neurology and physiology towards obtaining our desired goal.

The specificity of the NLP Goal Setting Model prioritises what you internally see, hear, and feel. In doing this, your attention will direct itself toward external and internal resources necessary to successfully accomplish that goal.

Still with me?

I promise it will make sense in the next few paragraphs so stick with me!

The following 8 components enable you to effectively identify your desired state and, subconsciously, you will begin to shift your paradigm to act in that state faster than you ever could have imagined.

1) STATE THE GOAL IN POSITIVE TERMS.

Describe the Present Situation and compare it with the desired future goal. Write it down in a positive format and clearly articulate what you are going toward.

• Where are you now?
• Where do you want to be?
• What do you want?

2) SPECIFY THE GOAL IN SENSORY BASED TERMS.

Engage all of your senses in this descriptive process in order to engage the brain and Central Nervous System. Ask yourself this – Have you broken down your goal into small enough chunks so that each is do-able? Could the size possibly overwhelm you? It’s far more powerful on your subconscious to have 30 mini goals rather than 2 large segment goals.

• What will you see, hear, feel, etc., when you have it?
• What steps or stages are involved in reaching this goal?

3) SPECIFY THE GOAL IN A WAY THAT YOU FIND COMPELLING.

Does it give you fire in the belly? Does it make you want to tell people all about it? Make it a compelling future representation that’s dissociated (When you see your goal make sure you see yourself having obtained your goal).

4) RUN A QUALITY CONTROL CHECK ON YOUR GOAL TO MAKE SURE IT IS RIGHT FOR YOU IN ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE.

Run a quality check to make sure that your goal fits every aspect of your life.  Ask, “Is there any part of me that objects to actualizing this desired goal?”  If so, address those unconscious frames of mind.

Pay attention to how your whole self responds to the question in terms of images, sounds, words, and sensations within you.

• Is the desired goal right for you in all circumstances of your life?
• Is your goal appropriate in all your personal relationships?
• What will having your goal give you that you do not now have?
• What will having your goal cause you to lose?
• Is your goal achievable?
• Does it respect your health and your relationships?

5) SELF-INITIATED AND MAINTAINED.

Your goal must be something that you can initiate and maintain.  It must not be dependent on other people.  Make sure that your goal reflects things that you can directly influence.

• Is the goal something that you can initiate yourself and maintain?
• Test your goal by asking if it is something that you have within your power or ability to do.
• Is it within your control?

6) STATE THE CONTEXT OF THE GOAL.

Test your goal by applying it to a context: when, where, with who, etc. to make sure that it is going to be fitting and appropriate.  Readjust your goal to make sure that it fits.

• Where, when, how, with whom, etc. will you get this goal?
• Is the goal appropriately contextualized?

7) STATE THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL.

Be really clear on who you need to be and what you need to do in order to achieve the desired outcome.

• What resources will you need in order to get this goal?
• Who will you have to become?
• Who else has achieved this goal?
• Have you ever had or done this before?
• Do you know anyone who has?
• What prevents you from moving toward it and attaining it now?

8) EVIDENCE ALIGNMENT

• How will you know that your goal has been realized?
• What will let you know that you have attained that desired state?

92% of the world’s billionaires recognise a strong goal setting process and review procedure as being one of the top 3 components of their success. It makes very little sense then that 95% of us don’t invest the time in making time for this.

I’d love to hear the next big goal you set (and attain) through this method.

Love the life you live 🙂