Are you PRESENT with your Goals?

I haven't been a fan of the S.M.A.R.T. Goals acronym for quite a while. It's catchy, and it's not entirely useless, (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound), but it isn't exciting at all. In fact, it's been shown to be harmful in some cases due to conflicting terminology, and an unfortunate inference to set "realistic" or "attainable" goals. If we focus only on attainable and fail to set "hard" goals that stretch us, we don't grow, and we are often unhappy as a result.

I much prefer Caroline Adams Miller's BRIDGE acronym, especially since it's based on the acclaimed Goal Setting Theory of Edwin Locke and Gary Latham. I plan to write more about her system soon.

Another goal setting system and acronym I found in my studies of Neurolinguistic programming and promptly fell in love is the NLP Goal Setting Model of PRESENT. NLP encompasses various techniques that leverage the connection between neurological processes, language, and behavioral patterns and can enhance goal setting and achievement.

I'll break PRESENT down for you in 2 sections: PRE for pre-planning, and SENT for future experiencing.

PRE-PLANNING

P - Positive

Is your goal positive?

We're not talking self-talk here, though that helps. A positive goal is a "toward" goal, not an "away from" goal. Focus on the benefit to be gained when you cross the finish line. Focus on the benefit to be gained along the way too!

State your goal in the positive and ensure that it's beneficial for you to pursue and achieve. Think about what the accomplishment would mean to you and what effect it could have on your life.

Set 10 out of 10 goals! How much do you want it on a scale of 1 to 10? There is something to be said about being all-in and enthusiastic about your future.

My goal is to apply for and be selected as a recipient of 100% scholarship with the Center for Human Potential. This would be a lifechanging opportunity and I AM ALL IN!

R - Responsible

Are you taking responsibility for the achievement of your goal?

Take 100% responsibility. Own it. No, REALLY OWN IT! Be excited not only at the prospect of achieving it, but your very real potential to make it happen.

Adopt the motto, "If it's to be, it's up to me. No excuses." That doesn't mean you won't or shouldn't have help along the way. In fact, you should have help along the way - cheerleaders, mentors, sponsors, etc. - and you should ask for them and recognize them. But know that they'll be there because of your commitment and follow-through.

No one else can accomplish this goal for you. Make the answer to this question a resounding YES!

I am 100% responsible for my application, doing the necessary research and following submission guidelines, in a creative way that makes me stand out as a candidate. I also claim 100% responsibility for their decision and what I do with it.

E - Environment

Where are you going to be when you reach your goal? Who will you be with? When will it happen?

This echoes the time-bound criteria of SMART goals but amplifies it with more information. By using where and who, you'll amplify the positive effect on your unconscious mind. One of the

Where: I am going to be in my home office when I get the email announcement that I have been selected for full scholarship.

Who: I will be with my husband, my number one fan and cheerleader.

When will it happen: Within 3 days.

Step(s) Into the Future

Put yourself in the future on your timeline, and "act as if" you've achieved your goal. Use the following four steps to rally energies already within you.

With plenty of room in front of you, imagine your future stretching out before you. Physically walk along that timeline until you get a sense that you are at this place. Notice when you feel that you have arrived at "the where" and "the when" and you feel "the who" with you.

S - Senses

Involve your 5 senses and imagine everything you can about the moment when you achieve this goal. In coaching sessions, I use something called Luminous Dreaming for an enhanced sensory visualization experience.

What do you see? What do you smell? What do you taste? What do you feel? What do you hear? Bring the finish line alive in your mind.

If you were running a marathon, for example, you might see a throng of people from the vantage point of the winner's podium. You might smell sweat and champagne. Maybe you taste that champagne, along with your own salty saliva. You feel elation and pride, and perhaps you feel the podium under your feet and the wetness of your clothing after the long run. You hear the cheers from the crowd and the announcer saying your name and place.

I am in my home office, and I smell the books from my library. I feel the keys of the laptop keyboard beneath my fingers as I work on my business. I see a notification pop up on my phone out of the corner of my eye, and I expect each one to be a response regarding my submission. I feel excited and a little bit anxious to read the response. I hear my husband in the other room watching TV, and also the thoughts in my head of "This is it! I got it!"

E - Ecology

The Ecology of our goal represents the effect on the world around us as interrelated beings. What was the impact on those around you when you achieved your goal?

I shared immediately with my husband and we hugged. I admit I jumped up and down like a five-year-old too! My husband is so proud of me, and excited to encourage me in moving my business forward. I also texted my daughters, sister, and my 2 closest friends. Their support means so much to me!

I can also see the results of this coaching on my own growth and in the results with my clients.

N - Navigation

What was the last step that you took in order to achieve this goal? What was the last thing that you saw, heard, or felt as you crossed the proverbial finish line?

I saw a mail notification pop up on my phone. Since I was on the computer, I decided to check my email there. I felt the computer mouse in my hand, and heard it's clicks as I switched tabs to open my email.

For deeper navigation, think back to see what other steps you took along the way. Also see what obstacles presented themselves and how you managed to overcome, go around or surmount them. Perhaps you can see where you stumbled as well, and how you picked yourself back up and kept going.

T - Talents

What talents, skills, and resources did you use to accomplish this objective?

Think about what of those things you already have or could reasonably acquire to meet your goal. Imagine having used them in attaining this latest success.

First, I used my excellent research skills, studying the program and the presenters, and how it would align with other goals in my life. I then used my written communication and organization skills to compile, format, and submit my application for the scholarship. I used my mental training to prepare for less-than-ideal responses, planning how I might respond.

Please, Try This At Home

I encourage you to get intentional with your intentions. It's worth the time to set big "move the needle" goals. You'll find that if you do it right, you will also achieve many other goals along the way, without having to plan them out in the same way.

DREAM BIG! See the result. Prepare for obstacles. Take purposeful action. Reap the rewards.

In my next post, I will share just how this PRESENT goal setting focus worked for me AS I WAS WRITING THIS POST. The synchronicity and serendipity were unbelievable.

♥ Michele Jennae
Embrace your Every Day Genius. Transformation happens at the EDG!