28/03/2020
Drawing on NLP, this 'WISE' goal-setting tool is used as a ecological resource-building state when setting goals.
- What
- If …?
- State In Positive
- Envision Desired Outcome
Here’s what’s involved in each of the above points:
1) WHAT IF…? I see goal-setting as a creative activity, so I had fun creating my WISE approach. I combined “W” and “I” in “WISE” to create “What If …?”
“What if” questions can lead to catastrophizing, if attached to anxiety about the future. However, when applied to considering potential impacts of a goal, “what if’s” can facilitate enlightenment of what’s possible as well as potential speed bumps along the way. Here are some examples:
What If … I achieve my goal? What will I gain? What might I lose? What will the impact be on me—as well as family and friends?
What If … my goal isn’t attained? What will I gain? What might I lose? What will the impact be on me—as well as family and friends?
What If … I knew I’d reach my goal? What would be different?
These types of questions form what is considered “Ecology” in NLP goal-setting. In essence, it involves connecting with the impacts/consequences to optimize goal alignment.
3) STATE IN POSITIVE – In NLP, wording desired outcomes in the positive is a core element in goal-setting. It involves using words that reflect what you want (versus what you don’t want). As an example: “I want to travel to Europe next year” versus “I don’t want to spend another vacation at home.”
Why state in positive wording? Have you ever told yourself: “I don’t want to forget to pick up … at the store,” yet you forgot to pick it up? Or maybe it was your keys that you didn’t want to forget, and you did? I reword those two examples as: “I must remember to pick up … at the store,” or “I need to remember my keys.” I’m mindful in wording goals, and it can be as easy as replacing “I don’t want to fail at reaching this goal” with “I want to achieve this goal!”
4) ENVISION – This is where the dream of goal achievement comes to play! What could your life look like once your goal is achieved? Using all your senses, ask yourself: “When I achieve my goal:
Where will I be? What will it look like?”
What do I look like? What will I be doing and/or saying? What will I be wearing?”
Who will be with me? What will they be doing and/or saying?”
What sights, sounds, smells, tastes will surround me? How will I feel?”
In NLP, visualizing goal attainment using all your senses is referred to as “Evidence.”
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Use this WISE goal-setting model to help in increasing motivation and positivity. It can / should also be used in conjunction with other tools like the usual SMART goals or GROW model.
