Goal Setting

Feb 4, 2024 | Money, Stress Reduction, Wellbeing

I don’t know about you, but for me, once the kids are back to school, I feel like the year can start properly.

Have you spent the summer dreaming up ideas for the year?  Maybe it is new experiences and aadventure, maybe its a new home.  

What’s it going to take to bring those dreams through into this reality?

For a long time the gold standard of goal setting has been the SMART method.  You know “Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound”. Have you ever followed the instructions for the SMART goals, and ended up not achieving the goal.  Me too.  For me goal setting this way is rather transactional and basically not very juicy. 

And that is where NLP “Neuro-Linguistic Programming” comes in.

My lovely NLP Mentor and Trainer, Steph has written a book on the PERFECT method – and you can even grab the book from her site.
What I love about the NLP version of goal or outcome setting is it engages our whole brain.  

We know the brain has 2 hemispheres – the analytical left side and the creative right side. Using a combined approach, we can engage the whole brain and turn our vision and dreams into reality.

So – that does PERFECT stand for, and how does that relate to your financial goals – 

P – Positively and Precisley Stated

Choose exactly what. you want – 

  1. Write your goal in as much detail as you can, and use positive language.

  2. Make sure it’s big enough to be challenging, motivating and maybe even a little unrealistic. The process of achieving your goals should mean you develop personally and this only happens when you set a goal that stretches you.

  3. Write in the present tense, as if you have achieved your goal already.

Continue adding details so the goal feels real and compelling., the emphasis is on what you DO want.

Checkin –

  • Is it a real goal rather than an emotional/feeling state? Is it your goal, and not a goal for someone else? Do you have control of its achievement? Is the goal important to you?

E – Evidence process

How will you know when you have achieved your goal?

The evidence process — focusing positively and as if you had the goal already — links directly into the Law of Attraction (LOA) by using the sensualisation technique described earlier. It’s important to use all your senses and to sensualise the end result. In fact, the sense that’s most important is how you feel.

When you think positively about what you want, and achieve a state in alignment with already reaching your goal, you’ll attract that thing to you in its real form – objective reality. In other words, opportunities, meetings, coincidences, and serendipity can all lead you to your goal – or something even better. Stay alert and open-minded for these occurrences.

Checkin – 

  • Write the goal down.  Sensualise the goal – use all your senses.  Revisit the goal every day.  Write down your benchmarks.

R- Resources Identified

What resources do you currently have to achieve your goal?  Think about the physical things – like equipment, funds, books, and also who do you know – what networks and contacts do you have.  What about your wn personal qualities and skills?

Write them all down.

F – First few steps identified

What are the first steps you can take NOW to get where you want?

What are some of those benchmarks you expect to experience on the journey to your goal?  How will you reward yourself for reaching those benchmarks?

Which step will you take today?

E – Energy, Effort and Enthusiasm

To maintain the monentum towards your goal, you need energy, effort and enthusiasm.  Youi’ll need a plan to identify and navigate the obstacles and distractions which may divert you from the plan.

If you can identify some of those obstacles and distractions and have plans in place to navigate them – you are well on your way.

Checkin – 

  • Remain optimistic.   Practice balance breathing and consciously monitoring physiology.  Set up some form of accountability.

  • Tools and processes for procrastination.  Change negative self talk.  Avoid talking to people who aren’t supportive of you achieving your goal.

  • Incorporate rewards for achieving milestones.

C – Compatibility, Commitment and Choice

 

 

T – Timed and Dated

 

 

 

 

This is just a bief outline – best plan – go get Steph’s workbook and start working it through.  If you’d like help to refine you goals – make a time with me.

To download Steph’s workbook – Goal Setting – 7 Principles For Remarkable Success  <<< here’s the link.

 

 

 

So – what are you waiting for – if this is you book an appointment now – click this link – . Connect with me

Helen M Grant

Helen M Grant

Helen is a Coach specialising in Kinesiology and Registered Financial Adviser.  Together we can change your life to one you'd love to live.