Goals
Should I set goals?
How do I set goals?
Yes! Knowing your goals is important. It is one of the most important steps to make for successful hypnotherapy - or any type of self improvement, all of which requires mind (or thinking) improvement. It sounds easier than it is.
We often think we know exactly what we want or where we are going - but if we haven't worked out a good plan, chances are we will end up somewhere else. This requires taking time to really understand your values and beliefs in order to know what it is you want to achieve or change.
In any self improvement program such as hypnotherapy we need to know what it is you want to achieve in order to create a program to help you get there. The clearer your "picture" is to you, the better the session will work for you. So take the time before you go for your first session to work through your plan.
I think of the story Jamie Smart relates on his site to explain this. His client wanted to be rich. He asked her what that meant to her. "More money", she answered. He flipped her a coin and said, "Now you have more money. Are you rich?"
"There are two tragedies in life. One is not to get your heart's desire. The other is to get it." Shaw.
Personal Productivity: Perserverance
BASIC CRITERIA:
Goals need to be stated in clear and specific terms.
Ask some questions - What will life be like when you achieve them? What will it feel like? Look like?
Having a clear vision of this will help you to move onto the next step - problem-solving.
Defining and setting your aims will help in a few ways:
- self-education; you'll come to understand what it is you really want.
- serious thinking about your problem can energize and deeply motivate yourself for subsequent problem-solving.
- it may be a real eye-opener, unanticipated discoveries may be made, possibly leading to alteration of your end result.
- successfully completing this exploratory stage may give courage for further personal revelations that may lead to uncovering deeper issues
GOAL-SETTING:
3 Stages:
1.Personal Exploration.
2.Goal Setting.
3.Problem Solving.
PURPOSES:
1. Doing this creates a target. In other words, it gives direction to our thoughts and actions. We look forward.
2. It is motivating. Properly laid out plans need two things. They need to be specific and also obtainable.
3. Achieving them is rewarding. The closer we get to our end result, the harder we work at them.
4. Making them specific and realistic creates planned change. The process of personal exploration allows the development of a clearer vision of what your true desires are.
Without working through this process, you may find that you skip from one self improvement program to another. Who is running the show then? You? Or, the program? Or, no-one?
SPECIFIC CRITERIA
To write effective statements, keep this in mind:
1. It must be measurable; you must be able to tell when the desired end result has been reached. You should be able to visualize and describe just exactly what it is you want to achieve.
2. There needs to be a reasonable time frame set. This creates a deadline, encourages actual achievement, discourages procrastination.
3. Is the it feasible? Have you thought of possible obstacles? Is this within your ability, resources and level of motivation?
4. Is it enough? Is it adequate to deal with the problem? Or are you short changing your abilities?
5. You need to understand your values in order to fully comprehend the implications of achieving what you are setting out to achieve. Will there be a conflict?
6. Do you have control? Is what you want yours? Or is it someone else's? To whom is it most important? Does it depend on someone else changing rather than yourself? What changes will this require of you? How much control do you have over making this happen? Can you achieve it on your own?
STRATEGIES
Once past the personal exploration stage, you are ready to formulate strategies to make it happen.
First, what are your general aims? This is a good starting point.
Imagine or a visualize how you would like things to be. Get a clear picture in your mind. See, feel, hear yourself; know what it will look like, feel, sound like, when you reach your desired outcome. What are you saying, thinking or feeling or doing?
Second, now start getting more specific. Remember to frame your goals in the positive. I am reading, singing... as opposed to...I am not watching TV. It is important to go beyond stopping something, we need to know what we will change to be doing. See this goal in measurable terms.
Third, now spend some time exploring whether this plan is feasible, realistic, and if it is adequate to achieve your purpose. Is it overly ambitious? Is it insufficient to deal with the problem? And don't forget to assess if this is in your control?
Fourth, look at the advantages and disadvantages of attaining your goal. What are the costs? What are the benefits? Evaluate it carefully - when you have a clearer vision of the advantages, it becomes much more attainable, your motivation is increased.
Fifth, now that you're all pumped up and raring to go, spend some time analyzing possible barriers. Better to be forewarned is forearmed. This is your opportunity to plan your strategies for handling setbacks and obstacles. These could sabotage all your plans if they pop up unexpectedly.
SUB-GOALS
Okay, now it's time to look a bit deeper. (The steps you need to take to get where you want to go).
If your problem is complex or your goal is long-term, it will help to identify the smaller steps necessary to move on to the bigger steps. Breaking a long-term goal into smaller chunks may make it more attainable. Achieving a short-term small step reinforces hope that the end achievement is possible. It helps to build your confidence in your ability to achieve what you want. If you feel a lack of confidence is holding you back then you may want to focus on building your Self Confidence.
CRITERIA FOR SUB-GOALS
Two criteria for sub-steps:
1. Must be do-able.
2. Must contribute to desired end result.
As with the major steps, sub-goals must also be measurable, set within the time frame, feasible, adequate (to deal with problem), consistent with your values, and it must be your plan, under your control.
A FEW MORE WORDS
Now you have identified your aim or intention, you know the specifics, set the time limit, and there you go.
Set your own pace, be realistic about your abilities or possible barriers. Break your goal into those easily attainable sub-steps. Do it one step at a time.
Reward yourself as you pass each mini time frame. This is IMPORTANT!
It's well worth every bit of time and effort you put into this project. You will be thrilled as you feel a greater sense of being in control of your destiny. Your dreams will come true - and you will recognise them.
Now, go ahead and make your 10 year plan, too. And watch your dreams come true.
Good luck!
For The Ultimate Best Buddy of Goal Setting I recommend you check out Goals On Track and see what it can do for you. I love the built in Vision Board!
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Steve Warn Fitness Goals
Achieving Goals Immediately
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