Change how the world works with Biotellus, made for ecology.

  • img
  • img
  • img
  • img
  • img
  • img

Get In Touch

Goal Setting

Just like with problems, it is also important for goals to have a clear vision and to know exactly which goal you are moving toward.

A "well-formed" goal in the sense of NLP is:

  1. Positively formulated
  2. Specific
    • a) Sensory-specific
    • b) Contextualized
  3. Self-achievable
  4. Ecological
  5. Motivating

Tips for questioning a goal

Basically helpful is the "As-if frame":
"Suppose you had already solved this problem (however), how would that be?"
"Just pretend that you have already achieved your goal of 'not doing X' (=problem), how would it be now? What is different, better, how do you feel now?"

  1. Positively formulated
    The goal definition should no longer contain negations or comparisons at the end:
    • How will you know that you have achieved your goal of no longer doing X (=the problem behavior)?
    • What do you want to achieve instead (for yourself, regarding the problem)?
    • What will you have achieved/what will you be doing if you no longer do X (=negative formulation)?
    • What exactly do you wish for / would you like?
    • What will you have that you didn’t have before?
  2. Specified
    The achievement of a goal should be measurable. Therefore, it is important to know where and when (=context) and what exactly you will notice internally (sensory) when you have already reached the goal of your desires.

    a) Sensory-specific (VAKOG):
    • How will you know/what will you notice when you have achieved your goal?
    • If the feedback loop is too long: How else might you notice it sooner?
    • Just assume you’ve already achieved your goal: What do you see, hear, feel, smell, taste? What body posture typically accompanies this? Take it now.
    • How could I recognize that you’ve achieved your goal?
    b) Contextualized (Place, Time, People)
    • When would you like to have achieved it?
    • Where would you like it?
    • With whom would you like it?
    • When, where, and with whom would you not want it?
  3. Self-achievable
    A set goal should a.) be actively achievable and b.) have an appropriate size: not too large (not achievable), not too small (not motivating). Also, it’s c.) helpful to know what resources you might still need to implement it.

    a) Actively achievable
    • Can you achieve it yourself?
    • Is it within your capabilities to bring this goal into reality?
    • What do you want to do to achieve it?
    b) Appropriate size
    Does your goal have the right size?
    If it’s too large:
    • What is preventing you from achieving your goal?
    • Turn the obstacles into smaller goals.
    • Perhaps it might be more practical to start with a smaller goal first?
    c) Making resources accessible for goal achievement
    • What do you still need to achieve it?
    • How can you obtain what you need to achieve your goal (resources)?
    • Which personal skills, opportunities, and sources of strength can you make accessible to achieve your goal?
    • What could be the first step toward achieving your goal?
  4. Ecological

    A goal that we truly want to put into action aligns with our values, relationships, and other projects. To explore this broader context, we can ask questions that help uncover the possible negative impacts or incongruences regarding the goal:

    • What will happen if you get what you want?
    • What will happen if you don't get it?
    • Would you accept it if it were already here?
    • What is the worst that could happen if you achieve your goal?
    • What are the potential risks?
    • What impact will achieving your goal have on other areas of your life, on other relationships?
    • What will you give up?
    • What are the pros and cons?
    • Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?
    • Is your goal in alignment with your values and self-image?
    • Does achieving this goal align with your other plans?
    If serious objections to the goal arise here, reframe the goal according to the new information. (Sometimes, at this point, the goal becomes irrelevant, and the problem may no longer seem so big...)
    If only minor objections arise here, ask: "What possibilities and abilities do you have to deal with this difficulty, and which ones might you still need?"
  5. Motivating
    A goal should truly be attractive. If this is not yet clear enough, ask about the goal 'behind' the goal (=Meta-goal):"
    • What is important about this goal for you?
    • What is the best thing about it?
    • What has been fulfilled for you by achieving this?
    • What is now ensured after you’ve achieved this goal?
    • In what way does achieving this goal move you forward?

Read an article on our coaching blog about: How can I support people in finding their goals?

Well-defined goal

An optimally defined goal naturally also includes an appropriate resource-physiology, sometimes referred to as "goal-physiology." This helps you check whether the goal is truly desirable (= motivating).

If you haven't been able to bring this out yet, then even if all the above-mentioned points seem to be fulfilled, the goal definition is still not complete — something essential is still missing at some point.

I: Exact Problem Definition
1. Define the problem Please think of a situation in your life where things didn’t go as optimally. (Problem physiology)
2. Define the problem situation Where are you in this situation? What is your body posture like in that moment?

VAKOG-Trance

3. Define the problem situation visually What do you see when you are in this posture in this situation?
4. Define the problem situation auditorily And when you see that, what do you hear?
5. Define the problem situation kinesthetically And while you see and hear that, what do you feel in that moment?
6. Define the problem situation olfactorily/gustatorily Is there anything you smell or taste in that moment?
II. Separator-State
Bring it to the present “Come back here!” “What time is it?”
III. Exact Goal Definition
1. Define the goal What do you want to achieve? What is your goal in this situation?
2. Define the context When you have achieved your goal, where, when, and in what situation will you behave how toward whom?

VAKOG-Trance

3. Define the goal sensory-specific How will you recognize that you have achieved your goal?
At this point, check: 1. whether the goal is defined as the result of A's behavior, 2. whether the achievement of the goal is quickly verifiable, and 3. whether the goal is positively formulated! If not, then ensure these conditions through 3a, 3b, and/or 3c:)
3a. Define the goal as the result of A's behavior What could you learn to achieve your goal?
3b. Make goal achievement quickly verifiable How can you recognize early that you're on the right path to your goal?
3c. Formulate the goal positively How will you recognize that you have achieved your goal?
4. Check for physiological change Reimagine the problem situation and check again what it feels like (VAKOG) when you have achieved your goal!
IV: Brief Reframings
Limit the situation Please think of three situations where you would prefer to maintain the old behavior!
V: Ecology Check
1. Consequences Imagine you have achieved your goal, what negative consequences could arise in your personal or professional life? (Pay attention to a symmetrical body posture)
2. Dealing with the consequences What could you do to prevent such negative consequences? (Pay attention to a symmetrical body posture!)