Actual Achievement Part 2

In Part 1 I started the discussion on what to focus on in pursuit of a 'time sensitive' goal, a goal you want to achieve right NOW, such as winning an Olympic Medal or closing a major deal you need for the continuation of your business. In other words a goal, which you may never get the chance to attempt again and which requires a lot if not everything of you!

The conclusion of Part 1 was that processes are useful and necessary to build the resources and acquire the techniques for the job. We also realized that periodising your work quantity and quality can be beneficial if not crucial in order to peak higher than anyone else when it counts. To use the pyramid metaphor: the higher you aim the broader you need to make your base.

Now, having the highest pyramid does not guarantee success and many gifted and hard working individuals know exactly what I am talking about. The way I make sense of this is by looking at 'Actual Achievement' as a 'Leap'.

Because once you are in the action, when you are on the spot you need to be able to let go of any preconceived notion of what is going to happen. There is only so much you can predict and it's never all of what is going to happen. So, no size pyramid, no amount of preparation is ever going to make the real thing 'fail proof'. Once you accept this you can start working 'with it'!

This is precisely where the role of focusing on the outcome comes in, and this is where the magic is at?

In NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) there is this term of a 'well-formed outcome'. NLP promotes itself as the science of achievement and has done extensive research on successful people and structures to find out what works and what doesn't. The results are astonishing and for today I will present what NLP has to say about setting goals.

NLP's 'well-formed outcomes' are a way of imagining your goal in the most vivid detail possible, using all senses, especially visual, audio and kinesthetic. So that you pretend to be the way you would be if you had achieved your goal already. Does this work and make the 'leap' more successful? You bet. It's closest to what Zen refers to when proposing to 'be one with the target'.

The theory behind this is that the unconscious mind does not know the difference between imagined and real. So, when you present it with a compelling version of 'how things are' it will fully cooperate in making it so.

Research backs this up consistently, where such test groups practicing positive imagery of having achieved their goal already before the effort is made, regularly outperform such test groups that don't practice that technique.

From having worked in sports at all levels, I came to know the flip side of this effect as well. I have witnessed plenty of athletes sabotaging their own performance, because it wasn't in line with where they could see themselves. And this happens in live and business as well. There is nothing more frustrating than walking away from a major challenge not having fulfilled your highest potential, but that's the stuff for another article?

© by Oliver Fix

Oliver Fix, Olympic Gold Medallist in 1996 and Olympic Medal Winning Coach in 2004, offers coach / consultant services that can propel you and your company into this outstanding level of success. Find out more on his website: http://www.oliverfix.com and contact him at: oliver@oliverfix.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


The Synergy of Vision

Over the years I have experienced some amazing results with... Read More

Achieving Goals: The Remaining 90% - Sheer Persistence

Achieving goals requires persistence. Here's the proof: In 1915 Ty... Read More

Achieving Elusive Goals

Everyone has something in their life that they would like... Read More

Clarity and Self Improvement ? Why We Must Know What We Want

One of the biggest reasons that many people have trouble... Read More

Five Steps to Goal-Setting

What would you like to achieve in your lifetime?Author Basil... Read More

Goals ? The Forgotten Success Element

Goals are extremely important and are the key to any... Read More

Jules Obtains the Jewels

Jules Asner, the current cohost of E! News Daily, along... Read More

If You Cant See Your Way to Completing Your Goal, Its Time to Check Your Vision

Have you been having trouble achieving a specific goal? Are... Read More

Finding Your Niche

Why are there so much stress and unhappiness in the... Read More

Motivation and Setting Your Goals

Easy Steps for Goal SettingGoal setting is the true secret... Read More

Goal Setting ? The Importance of Stern Resolve!

"Every man should be born again on the first day... Read More

Success Is Knowing What You Want

Many people ask me how they can be more successful.The... Read More

Your Life Is A Do-It-Yourself Project!

The responsibility of working hard, planning and living a successful... Read More

How to Replace Bad Habits with Good Ones: The Science of ?Habit Management?

Few things are more difficult than kicking bad habits or... Read More

When You See Money as a Tool in Your Goal Setting Process, You Will Lead a More Balanced Life

Where Does Money Fit In the Goal Setting Process?Some view... Read More

You Are What You Do!

Too often, people say one thing and do another. I... Read More

Make 2005 Your Best Year Ever - Its Not Too Late!

We are moving rapidly through 2005, and you'll find previously... Read More

5 Good Ways to Make Steady Progress on Your Goals & Projects

1. Schedule a specific time and day to work on... Read More

Achieve Your Desires By Scoring Goals

Do you have a desire? Silly question I know because... Read More

Set SMART Goals to Achieve More

Are you having trouble achieving your goals, or getting through... Read More

Want to Learn Something New Today?

How many times do you say, "Gee, I wish I... Read More

Applying Action To Your Inner Desires!

"I know what I need to do, but I'm scared... Read More

Discipline is Essential for Self Improvement

Most of us are regularly exposed to information offering get... Read More

Elephants Are Really Big, Arent They?

In fact, this very type font I am using is... Read More

Weave Your Own Web

Many elementary school children know the miracle of Charlotte's Web.... Read More

To Reach Goals: Bypass Resistance & Gather Assistance

To reach goals, consider this illustration: If you see roadblocks... Read More

Getting ready for a transition? Read the Fine Print of Your Dream

"In the factory we make lipstick; in the drugstore we... Read More

Show Me The Money

For many people, money is like the weather ? they... Read More

Your Goals Are Unique

We have just begun another new year in our lives.... Read More

Breaking Goals Down To The Basics

One of the primary reasons why people fail to execute... Read More

Achieve Your Goals By Eating The Frog And The Elephant

Brian Tracy, the great motivational guru, often suggests that people... Read More

How to Triple Your Productivity in 28 days - Part II

If you've been diligent in doing the past 2 concentration... Read More

Forming Effective Habits Leads To Success

You had your new years resolution all set. You knew... Read More