Using NLP Coaching in Setting SMART Goals

In NLP coaching we come across lots of people wanting to know how to or need help with setting SMART goals. One question we get is why it is some people write and set smart goals and get them and some people write and set smart goals and do not get them? What is it about setting goals that makes the difference? The process of setting SMART goals is nothing new however getting results and getting them on a regular basis can be hit and miss. Here are some new tips using NLP coaching on setting SMART goals that will improve your results as well as how NLP coaching can help in the process to making sure your SMART goals have every chance of becoming reality.

First things first what is a SMART goal? These are goals that are:

S-Simple and specific
M-Measurable and meaningful to you
A- As if now, achievable, all areas of your life
R-Realistic, responsible / ecological
T- Timed, toward what you want

There might be a few variations on these definitions however this is the model we use in NLP coaching in order to get results and I guarantee when followed you will get results!

A few points worth mentioning, if you are on a fixed income and earn $50k a year and set a goal that you will have $120M in the bank in 3 months you will be disappointed as while it is possible, it is not really realistic to be able to make that kind of money in that timeframe.

So the first test is to believe your SMART goal is possible. By this I mean 100% possible. Ask yourself this, will the sun rise tomorrow? Sure you might not see it but will it rise? Most people would be 110% sure it will rise, this is how sure you need to be about your goals. So I hear you say, "if I set a goal for something that I am sure I can get, why set a goal?" Well this is the point. The goal needs to be SMART! We are not saying you can not set a goal to have $120M in the bank just a realistic time frame. I had one person tell me he set a goal to be "surrounded by millions of dollars in 6 months". Is that realistic? Maybe; he got a job as an armoured car driver where every day he was surrounded by millions of dollars, just not his!

So let's get started. The first step is to pick an area of your life:
Health
Relationship
Career
Family
Spirituality

Remember keep it simple and specific. In the following example I am going to use career, in the context of sales.

The monthly budget for my business is $66,000. For the same month last year I did $55,000. So my SMART goal is to make $66,000 for the month. Because we are using a sales budget it will cover the first point of being simple and specific.

$66,000 in monthly sales is also measurable. Now if you are in your own business or work in sales, what will $66,000 mean to you? When setting your goal I would suggest you mention how much profit or commission this figure in sales will give you. For example, $66,000 in monthly sales for the business will yield a profit of $15,000. So let's make this goal as if it is now and check to make sure it is achievable. Last year we did $55,000 so to do $66,000 is not a stretch but is it achievable? Well in this example yes, but you need to check on your own goal. If not, why not? It might be a limiting belief you have. This is why having a NLP coach working with you on your goals helps. A NLP coach can help you remove what your limiting beliefs, but more on this later.

So back to our SMART goal; write your goal as if it is now: "It is now January 31 2009 and I have made $66,000 in sales with a profit of $15,000 for the month". In a small business maybe there are other staff that contribute to sales, so we need to include them. Also make sure it is responsible to have the goal for all. So "It is now January 31 2009 at 6pm and we have made $66,000 in sales with a profit of $15,000 for the month".

It is time for the last SMART goal test. Your goal needs to be timed and towards what you want. Well when we stated the goal as if it is for now, we put in the time and date, and as a tip never leave it as a limited goal, so "it is now January 31 2009 at 6pm and we have made at least $66,000 in sales with a profit of at least $15,000 for the month of January. This will set the business up for a great February".

Let's double check, "it is now January 31 2009 at 6pm (timed and stated as if now) and I have made at least $66,000 in sales with a profit of at least $15,000 (specific, measurable, realistic and achievable) for the month of January (timed and specific). This will set the business up for a great February" (towards what you want).

There we go a SMART goal. But that is just the beginning. You have written it but have you set it?
There are a few different ways of doing this. Some say write it on a piece of paper and put it where you can see it. Some say make up a storyboard for your goal. I believe that you need to put it out into the future and let the law of attraction help deliver your goal. This is not just a bit of mumbo jumbo, but is a proven technique. It's the difference that can make goal setting a success.

Have you set goals and not achieved them before? How can you be sure your goal will be achieved? What if you have an unconscious behaviour, habit or limiting belief that has you sabotaging your goals? To find out how to set a goal so that it is achieved, join our goal setting program. Sign up here to receive your free week's worth of videos on setting goals.

Brad Greentree has been a working in the dive industry full time since 1995.
PADI Master Instructor 107539, with over 12 years experience in the diving industry. He is known for his incredible patience. Along with his expertise in NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Hypnotherapy and Time Line Therapy , Brad will make make sure you have a safe and enjoyable time as well as help you overcome any fears you may have of the ocean. Brad has certified 1000's of students and completed over 3500 dives and travelled extensively though out the Pacific. His passion is underwater photography and has had success in a number of underwater competitions. When he is not diving he is coaching or training people using his experience in life changing techniques.
http://www.prodivedrummoyne.com.au
http://www.pecoaching.com.au