Well-formed Outcomes: The Key To An Achievable Outcome
In NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), we aim to go beyond mere “goal setting” into desired outcome development. Here, we don’t just talk about setting goals but about setting outcomes.
Approx reading time: 4:00 mins
Consider “goal setting.” In recent times, many have written about the process of effectively setting goals. Many of you would have heard of two models
The “G.R.O.W. Model”, created by Sir John Withmore in the 1980’s and popularised in his best selling book “Coaching”, follows the standard Goal – Reality – Options – Will (or When) depending on who you’re learning it from. The SMART Model, where the first-known use of the term occurs in the November 1981 issue of Management Review by George T. Doran. The principal advantage of SMART objectives is that they are easier to understand and to know when they have been done. SMART criteria are commonly associated with Peter Drucker's management by objectives concept. Specific – Measurable – Assignable – Realistic – Time-Related
In NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), the Well-formed Outcomes model enables us to go beyond mere “goal setting” into desired outcome development. Here, we don’t just talk about setting goals but about setting outcomes.
What’s the difference?
Goals are described in general terms – outcomes in specifics. An outcome represents a goal developed with specificity that endows us with a very clear understanding of what to do.
Imagine if you set a goal to “increase participation in a work team”, or to “enhance the dynamics of the group”. Both of these represent worthwhile objectives. Yet neither describes anything specific enough for a behavioural outcome. Both phrases lack specificity. What plans do you plan to use to achieve them? In what areas do you expect to accomplish these desires? How will you know when you have reached them? A good outcome statement answers these questions. Once you have taken a goal through the well-formed outcome model you greatly increase the probability of achieving your outcome.
The specificity of the well-formed outcome model facilitates concentration on what you will internally see, hear and feel. Your attention will direct itself towards external and internal resources necessary in achieving the outcome. Notice what happens internally when you think about the following:
Sound…internal sound…pleasant internal sound…low pitched internal sound.
As you became more aware of each of these words and phrases, your attention becomes more focused. As you become aware of how you represent them in your mind, you notice the increasing specificity of the language – and that very specificity focuses consciousness.
The well-formed outcome model aids us in specifying who we will become. The model will enable us in the development of an image we find achievable and appropriate.
Given the value of the well-formed outcome process, a well-formed outcome should have the following characteristics.
1. Stated positively in terms of what we want
2. Described in sensory based language
3. Self-initiated and self-controlled
4. Appropriately contextualised
5. Maintains appropriate secondary gain
6. Builds in/includes the necessary resources
7. Ecological for the whole system
Let’s look at each briefly:
1. Stated positively in terms of what we want
This should be specific to what you want, and not what you don’t want. Rather than state that you don’t want to be fat, or don’t want to be poor or don’t want to be in a deadbeat job, be specific about what you actually want and phrased positively. I want to be healthy, I want to be wealthy, I want to be promoted etc.
What specifically do I want?
What will having it do for me?
Have I stated my outcome positively?
Can I see myself having this outcome?
2. Described in sensory based language
Ask yourself: “what will I hear, see and feel when I have my outcome.” This step will let you know when you have your outcome – your evidence procedure.
How will I know when I have achieved my outcome?
What will I see when I have my outcome?
What will I hear when you have your outcome?
What will I feel when you have your outcome?
3. Self-initiated and self-controlled
While we can control our own thinking and emotional responses to life, we cannot control other people – especially their thoughts and emotions.
Do I and I alone control my outcome?
Does my outcome involve anyone else?
Can I initiate and maintain the responses needed to reach my outcome?
4. Appropriately contextualised
We need to design our well-formed outcome to fit into the all important contexts of our lives. When we fail to do that, we build an over generalised outcome that can cause problems in other areas.
In what situations would having my outcome become inappropriate or useless?
Where, when, how and with whom do I want this outcome?
Do I want my outcome all the time, in all places and without any limitations?
5. Maintains appropriate secondary gain
All of our present behaviour provides us with positive values and outcomes. If we didn’t, we would not perpetuate and maintain it. In psychology this feedback is referred to as “secondary gain”. In NLP, we talk about this as the ecology of the entire system. Personal, human system of thoughts, emotions, relationships etc.
What would I lose if I accomplished my outcome?
When, where, what and with whom would not having my outcome feel OK?
Would I have to give up anything that I deem important to have this outcome?
6. Builds in/includes the necessary resources
To reach our outcomes, we need resources! A well formed outcome will therefore have the needed resources included within it so that we may imagine and represent such as part of the outcome achievement.
What do I have now, and what do I need, to get my outcome?
Have I ever done this before?
Do I know anyone that has done this before?
7. Ecological for the whole system
A major strength of NLP concerns ecology. Ecology, as the science of the relationship between an organism and its environment, in NLP speaks about our concern that changes made at one point in a human system must fit together with, and adapt to, the other parts of the system in a healthy way.
What will happen if I get it?
What won’t happen if I get it?
What will happen if I don’t get it?
What won’t happen if I don’t get it?
I hope you have enjoyed this brief explanation of well-formed outcomes and I would encourage you to copy and paste the various questions into your own word document, print them out and assign yourself a goal using the model above.
If you imagine that your friends, family or colleagues would benefit from this, then you might feel like sharing.
