NLP Techniques - Outcomes

Well formed outcomes enable you to think about what you want in such a way that it will be easier and more fun to achieve - or it will help you realise that it's not something you really wanted, before you waste time in trying to achieve it.

The key aspect of an outcome is that it's motivating and sets a direction.

Outcomes - What's important

Sometimes just asking the question "and what do you want?" starts to move the interaction in a useful direction.

Although there are many different versions of well formed outcomes there are five key criteria:

Stated in the positive

It's something you want, for example, to be successful, as opposed to something you want to avoid, for example, to feel less insecure.

Under your control

The outcome is under your your control, while there maybe some debate on what actually is under our control I'd consider 'getting a new job' outside my control, but 'getting the skills and taking action to get a new job' under my control.

Identify and focus on what is directly under your control!

Sensory tested

Our senses connect us to the outside world. If we want to achieve something in the 'real' world. It's important that we can see, hear, feel and preferably taste and smell the result. And the brighter, the more colourful we make the pictures (and sounds and feelings) the more we will be drawn to take action to achieve what we want.

Ecological
Good to us and those closest to us in the short, medium and longer term

We've explored anything conscious or unconscious that may be holding us back.

Future pace
We include this final step, 'can you imagine yourself enjoyably taking the smallest first step that will move you towards your goal?'

To me what's important about an outcomes exercise is that it motivates us to take enjoyable and real action, NOT that we must achieve our goal - because our goal may change on route.

Outcomes - The technique

Help your client to come with a goal. It might be something short term or something long term and inspirational. You may want to write the goal down, if you do so make sure you write it down precisely as they say it - dont be tempted to paraphrase or restate it. Always use other peoples words, especially when their dreams are involved!

It's important that you and your client are in appropriate states before completing an outcomes exercise.

Ask your partner the following questions and notice hoe they respond. Notice also any changes in processing or physiology that take place. You don't need to think too much about the content of the answers that they come up with, pay more attention to the process and how they react.

Positive:

Tell me something you want to achieve?

Is that something you want, as opposed to want to avoid?

Specific:

When, where, with whom do you want it?

Evidence sensory based:

How do you know when you've got it?

What will you see, hear, feel, taste and smell?

What will do you see yourself doing differently as a result of achieving this?

Preserve the position intention:

(Don't throw the baby out with the bath water)

What will happen if you get this result?

What wont happen if you get it?

What will happen if you don't get this result?

What wont happen if you don't get it?

Initiated and maintained by the individual:

What is the first step that you will take?

What resources do you have?

Ecology check:

Offer your hand, palm up, to your partner and offer them their goal, right now, in the palm of your hand.

If you were offered this right now, would you take it?

Future Pace

Can you imagine yourself enjoyably taking the smallest first step that will move you towards your goal?'