Tuesday, 20 January 2009

Want 2009 to be different, NLP can help set goals to maintain your focus

Find out how you can make that change using NLP and Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Alexia Elliott explains how: Alexia Elliott is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Lecturer and Master Practitioner of NLP. FREE consultations are available upon request.


Leicestershire Hypnotherapy with leading Leicestershire hypnotherapist Alexia Elliott. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy programmes in Leicestershire, get help today!


Want things to be different? Learn How Hypnotherapy & NLP can you help you Today.

So how does NLP & Hypnosis help us, set clear goals in a way that will motivate us to feel compelled to complete them?


Putting it into words

Words and pictures are the building materials of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Words are the basis of our self-talk—the way we mentally speak to ourselves. The quality of your self-talk can influence your success. Positive, self-talk evokes positive emotions and motivation. By putting what you want into words, you are formulating an outcome—a statement of what you intend to accomplish. Words are the primary tools we use to program our emotions and behaviours, so it's important to select powerful, words when formulating an outcome.


Why is this important?

A poorly formed outcome directs your brain in the wrong direction and keeps you stuck. A well-formed outcome, on the other hand, boosts your motivation and focuses your mind towards real results and solutions.


In the popular best-seller The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Simon and Schuster, 1989), author Stephen Covey advised readers to "begin with the end

In mind." Any endeavour starts with a clearly stated objective. You won't get anywhere unless you know where you are going.



Here are seven guidelines for creating empowering outcomes that will strengthen your commitment to making the changes you desire



1. State Your Outcome in the Positive

Start with what you want, not what you don't want. Instead of, "I want to stop being anxious," say, "I want to feel calm." If you create outcomes around what you do not want, you continue to focus on the problem, rather than directing your thoughts toward the solution.


If you are thinking of what you don't want, your unconscious mind is creating an image of the very thing you want to avoid, and you will be unconsciously drawn toward it. For example, if someone says to you, "Do not think about a purple elephant," what is the first thing that comes to your mind? —A purple elephant, of course! Start directing your mind towards what you want.


Once you've formulated the outcome you choose, stop thinking about it as something you want. Instead, start thinking about it as something you have now or are creating now. The unconscious mind can be very literal. When you say "I want …" your subconscious mind hears "I lack …" To want something is to lack that thing. To create your outcome, speak of it as though you have it now, you choose to have it now, and you are creating it now.


2. State Your Outcome in the Present Tense

Your outcomes are about what you are doing now and into future, regardless of what has happened in the past. Although it makes perfect sense that outcomes are about now and the future, some people continue to dwell on the past when thinking about what they want. Statements like, "I wish I studied harder at school" or "I should have learned how to manage my finances by now" are not well-formed outcomes. You can't change the past, so put your attention and energies on what you can accomplish today, tomorrow, and from now on.


State your outcomes in the present tense, not the future tense. If you say "I will practice being calm" your subconscious mind hears "I will" and assumes the new behaviour will occur sometime later, in the future, rather than now. By putting your outcome in the present tense, you notify your subconscious mind that your outcomes and new behaviours are taking place NOW!


3. Create Your Goals around Your Own Behaviours and Feelings

Only you can create your future. No one else can do it for you. Make certain that your outcomes are about changing your own emotions and behaviours, not about what someone else wants you to do, or what you want someone else to do. Make your outcomes self-initiated and about you.


4. State Your Outcomes in Specific Terms

Our minds code outcomes as accomplishable when those outcomes are stated (and visualized) specifically. Specific outcomes are about observable, measurable behaviours and clearly defined emotional states. Make your outcomes specific by stating when, where, and how often you want them.



5. Make Your Outcomes Realistic and Achievable

Be careful about overblown or exaggerated outcomes. If they inspire you, that's fine. But if they lead to disappointment, procrastination, and frustration, then set your sights on something more realistic and achievable. Maybe it's better to channel your energies into simply reaching a realistic and achievable goal, learning about the process as you go along Give you sufficient time to make adjustments which let you integrate the learning at a deeper level making it habitual and effortless.



6. State Your Outcomes without Equivocation

Equivocation is a hedge—it says "I'm willing to fail" or "I Hope I can do it" these half-hearted statements are not motivating; a well-formed outcome is stated affirmatively.


7) Ecology: how does this impact on your wider system

An "ecological" outcome is safe and realistic for your situation, and doesn't conflict with your needs or values. If you choose an outcome that isn't ecological,

It won't feel right. You won't stick with it, or you'll engage in self-sabotage. Don't commit to any outcome until you've checked in with yourself—consulted your inner wisdom, so to speak—about whether you can truly commit to this course of action. If you feel vaguely uncomfortable about some outcome you've decided on, then there is probably some issue you need to resolve—or you may need to modify the outcome. Ask yourself, "Am I willing to do what it takes?" and "Is it worth it?" Every significant life choice carries a cost. Each new commitment you make means you will forfeit other choices and opportunities.


How big is your goal?

This is an important motivation factor in how you define an outcome. If you perceive that your outcome seems too large to undertake, too small to be significant or just right so that it seems doable and worthwhile. If your outcome is well-formed but seems daunting or overwhelming, you are thinking too big. Break your outcome down to doable steps.


What will you lose as a result of this
change?

Any worthwhile goal entails some difficulty, sustained effort, You might call these sacrifices, is really giving up a short-term satisfaction in favour of something else that is more valuable, enduring, and ultimately more fulfilling.

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Put It in Writing

Now that you've defined your outcomes, write them out

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2.

3.

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Now close your eyes, step into each of these outcomes, and live it in your mind. Imagine doing it. Anticipate your thoughts and feelings. Imagine the satisfaction you feel as you fulfil each one. See the short-term and long-term rewards.


Put these outcomes on index cards and carry them with you during the day, so that you can read them and remind yourself where you are going. Place your outcomes around your home or workplace (if appropriate) so that you see them often and keep them in the forefront of your mind. Put them in your PDA or keep them handy on your computer desktop.


Next Steps

Now that you have well-formed outcomes, you can advance into the planning stages by asking additional questions:


• How am I going to do it?

What are the steps and the timetable for completion?


• What questions do I have?

Do I need more information? Where will I find it?


• What are my action steps?

How often will I engage in these actions?


• Who else will be involved, and what do I want them to do?


• How will I know I am making progress?


• Once I have the result I want, how do I maintain it, make it even better, or decide when it's time to go on to another outcome?


Do it

Now that you know how to create well-formed outcomes, go for it! Don't let negative, depressing, or pessimistic thoughts talk you out of it.

Decide that you are going to have your chosen outcome, don't take no for an answer, and commit to the outcome with passion, drive, and motivation. Think positively and optimistically. Be ready to meet challenges with courage and creativity, difficulties are opportunities for you to learn as you develop yourself.



Take advantage of a free Hypnotherapy Hypnosis, NLP, Consultation With Alexia Elliott in Leicester Leicestershire call Alexia Elliott today on Tel:07966412209 or visit this website www.leicestershirehypnotherapy.co.uk for further details



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