As we settle into the new year, we dive into a powerful tool from Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) that's designed to help you set well-formed coaching outcomes. Whether you're supporting clients or working on your personal goals, this structured approach helps ensure goals are both achievable and meaningful.

In this episode, we reflect on the importance of setting goals that are fully within our control. Many of us—and our clients—fall into the trap of creating goals tied to external factors, like a promotion or financial gain, which often leads to stress and frustration. Instead, we focus on crafting goals that are actionable, inspiring, and fully achievable.

We guide you step-by-step through a framework of eight essential questions that can help create clarity and motivation. These questions can be used in coaching sessions to transform vague aspirations into tangible, inspiring outcomes. Jo shares how small language shifts—like reframing a client's "I don't want" statement into "I want"—can unlock surprising insights. We also discuss how vividly imagining success can ignite energy and motivation, making the goal feel within reach.

As coaches, our job isn't just to help clients dream big but to anchor those dreams into practical steps that fit their values, resources, and reality. Along the way, we share examples from our sessions, like how sensory-based questions—"What will you hear when you succeed?"—can reveal unexpected details that deepen a client's connection to their goal.

The conversation ends with a reminder to apply these questions to your own life. As we step into 2025, how might you create well-formed outcomes for yourself?

Steps to Create a Well-Formed Coaching Outcome

What do you want?
Use positive, future-focused language to articulate the goal. Avoid framing it around what you don't want.
Is it achievable?
Ensure the goal is realistic and assess whether it's within the client's capabilities or requires additional steps, like research or skill-building.
What will you accept as evidence that you've achieved your outcome?
Help the client create a sensory-rich picture of success—what they will see, feel, hear, or experience upon achieving the goal.
Is achieving this outcome within your control?
Reframe goals that rely on external factors to focus on actions the client can directly control.
Are the costs and consequences of obtaining this outcome acceptable?
Assess the broader impact of the goal—on relationships, finances, time, and values—to ensure alignment.
Do you have all the resources you need to achieve your outcome?
Explore tangible (tools, finances) and intangible (beliefs, knowledge) resources required for success.
Does achieving this outcome fit with your values?
Goals misaligned with values are difficult to achieve. Ensure the goal resonates with the client's core beliefs.
If you could have it now, would you take it?
A final check to confirm the goal is authentic and deeply desired by the client.

Key Lessons Learned

Goals framed in positive language create focus and direction.
Clear evidence of success helps align the mind with the outcome.
Control over the goal eliminates unnecessary anxiety and builds confidence.
Exploring costs and values ensures sustainable, meaningful goals.
Asking sensory-based questions deepens the client's emotional connection to the goal.

Key Takeaways

Use the seven steps as a framework for personal or client goal-setting.
Focus on what's within your control to reduce stress and increase motivation.
Ensure alignment with values to maintain commitment and energy.
Leverage visualisation and sensory cues to amplify connection to the goal.
Don't fear revisiting steps; refining a goal is progress, not failure.

Timestamps

00:03 – 00:47: Introduction—why we're focusing on well-formed coaching outcomes
00:47 – 01:41: Setting goals that are fully within your control
02:10 – 03:07: Coaching isn't just about goals—it's about clarity and exploration
04:03 – 04:25: Step 1: What do you want?
06:22 – 06:49: Step 2: Is it achievable?
08:36 – 09:32: Step 3: What will you accept as evidence?
11:30 – 12:26: Step 4: Is achieving this within your control?
14:10 – 14:39: Step 5: Are the costs and consequences acceptable?
16:36 – 17:31: Step 6: Do you have the resources you need?
17:59 – 18:26: Step 7: Does it fit with your values?
18:55 – 19:21: Step 8: If you could have it now, would you take it?
20:20 – 21:17: Wrapping up—applying the framework to yourself

Keywords

Well-formed coaching outcomes, NLP goal-setting framework, Coaching questions for clarity, Goal-setting techniques for coaches, Achievable coaching goals, Creating aligned goals, Coaching and values alignment, Positive language for goal setting, Reducing anxiety in goal achievement, Coaching framework for success

Links:

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