SMARTER Goals

You probably know the S.M.A.R.T. acronym for the specific criteria required for goal setting. Well I wasn't all that happy with it and I have made some changes to it for you to consider. Here they are:




You don't want just S.M.A.R.T. goals, NO what you need are S.M.A.R.T.E.R goals!


This is not the entire presentation I give on this "updated" model of SMART. I'll give you the basics and then can you add to each of them and make it your own.






SPECIFIC:
Be specific about what you want. If you are too vague or general in describing your goal you are diluting your ability to achieve it. Be very detailed about what you want and ask questions like: (some may be more relevant than others)

• What exactly do you want?
• When exactly do you want it?
• What does it look like, sound like & feel like?
• How much of it do you want?
• How will you know when you have achieved it?
• How will you fully describe this in see, hear observe language?

When being specific I recommend that you ensure that your description of what you want is not just in detail but also include sensory based wording i.e. what will you see? what will you hear? How will you know you have achieved your goal? - specifically using visual, auditory and observable wording to describe this.

MEANINGFUL:

When your goal is meaningful you most certainly will achieve it. You need to know "why?" you want it and be conscious of the meaning you have placed on it - daily. To put more passion in your pursuit you need to ask the question "...why do I want this?" You need to ask it 8-12 times and be generous with your answers. Take this seriously. What will you say if asked to speak for 7 minutes on the reason why you are committing yourself to achieveing this goal?

Once you have all your answers written down, focus on the 3 most important ones on your list and visualise these 3 in detail. Absorb yourself in them and commit to being aware of them daily and especially when the going gets tough. Visualise yourself having difficulties in achieving your goal and remind yourself at that time of the 3 key resons why you want to achieve your goal. The 3 reasons will become a driving force that bolsters your determination to overcome any and all setbacks that you may face along the way.

When your goal is full of meaning - you will not be stopped!

ATTITUDE: Your attitude is a priority when it comes to ensuring your success when goal setting.

• How resilient will you need to be?
• How disciplined do you need to be?
• What is the specific attitude that you need to ensure you get what you want?
• What state of mind do you need to be successful?
  

These questions need to be answered and you need to consider both the best and worst case scenrio's and have the attitude that will get you through any and all difficulties that you may face. Having the ability for you to access the right attitude may be beyond you as this is a specialist field. What I suggest, if you do not know how to do this, then seek out a Neuro Semantic Meta-Coach or an NS Trainer. They'll get this sorted for you - easily. Remember, attitude is everything, when it comes to getting what you want.

RESOURCES: To succeed it is highly likely you'll need support. This may require financial, personal, intellectual support. It may be as complex as an extensive marketing and business plan or as simple as calling a friend. These resources may be either internal resources (attitude and mindset) or external resources (money, car, shoes etc...). Your list of resources needs to be well researched and tested, so that you will have all that you need, to achieve your goal.

What do you need so you can achieve your goal?

What assistance do you need?

Where will you go to get help?

What help do you need?

TIME: Your goal will need to be time bound. The goal needs to have both a start and stop dates.You'll need both short and longer sequenced time frames. This will let you know whether you are on target to achieve your goal.

• When will you start?


• What are shorter timeframes of achievement that you'll review your progress?


• When will you have achieved key milestones along the way?


• When will you achieve your end desired goal?


• How long will this take you?

Another thing to consider is whether it is timely now to begin or would be better to wait for a time in the very near future. This addresses seasonal demands, preparedness time constraints and the need to align with other time frames that may be out of your control. i.e. a goal of learning to ski may not be possible until the winter months.

ECOLOGY This is a step that is often overlooked. In all your zest to work towards your goal you miss considering what could go wrong and whether there is the possibility that achieveing your goal, could negatively impact you. Take time to think this through.

What could go wrong?

• What danger is there?
• 
  
  What is out of my control and how will address that?
• 
  
  Am I prepared for worse case scenarios?

Your answers here could reveal that you need to address with resources some additional points. If that is the case, revisit the other categories of SMART. In doing so, you will have a more robust plan to maximise your success.

RESET & REVIEW: Set specific times where you will review your progress.

• Is my plan working?
• What is and what is not working?
• What changes need to be made?
• What is relevant and what is not?
• Am I on time or am I ahead of time?

Reviews are valuable to ensure consistant progress takes place and also is a must for you once you have achieved your goal. At the end of a goal reset new goals. I have found as you may also, that it is the pursuit of a goal that makes life rewarding not the attainment of it.

The SMARTER formula is a simplistic yet valuable goal setting formula. It is not what I consider a well rounded and complete personal success model. But, it does have a number of the key points necessary for you to achieve what you want. Do read my earlier article on what they didn't tell you about goal setting.

I hope this helps in giving you a base from which to set your personal goals from. I will be offering challenging views of what is consdiered necessary criteria in goal setting found in NLP and Neuro Semantic goal setting known as a Well formed Outcome. Revist later this month for that info.

Goal Setting Success

Following my last Blog, I thought I'd write you some important stages in coaching a person to formulating a goal and ensure all the parts are present. I'm assuming that you will apply the tips I gave you in the previous blog. I find the popular S.M.A.R.T. formula of goal setting rather tedious and present in this and my previous blog another alternative.

I encourage you to take the 10 goal setting tips I wrote earlier and use this framework to attach those previous important points to and as a result further increase the possibility of you achieving what you want.

GOAL SETTING

Stage 1): KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

I'm going to break this 1st stage down to it's smaller components so you can be more specific in getting this 1st important step right.

You need to KNOW what you want. That is, you are to have the "know-ledge" of what you want. If you do not know what you want, then allow yourself to dream, imagine or consider what it is that you want for your life. There is a real need (in my humble opinion) to know that life without a goal to pursue is a life that is not being self-actualised. I'm not going to fully justify why I am saying that. I will say in brief, that I'm wanting you to know that the pursuit of a goal, whatever it is, brings a greater level of meaning and satisfaction to your life, rather than for you to vegetate and surrender to doing nothing with your life on a regular, long term basis (for some this is a full time occupation).

A personal goal will give you a sense of direction and purpose. A goal-less life, is a life that has less meaning and less purpose. I hope that is enough for you to consider setting yourself a goal. And doing it quickly. Be it a short-term or long-term goal, but a goal all the same. You may want to start with something small and build up to setting larger and more bodacious goals as you grow in confidence in goal achieving.

You need to know what you want. It's important that YOU want it. The first stage that's needed for you, is that what you want, MUST be something that YOU and YOU alone - want! It is not to be something that you want, because he or she (Mum or Dad) wants you to have it as a goal. The focus that I am wanting you to have at this stage is that you are pursuing your goal because YOU want it.

Lastly - Whatever it is that you know you want. You must WANT it. You will achieve it if you want it enough. It's the want that will drive you forward and break through any and all setbacks. When you want it and want it with every cell of your mind and body you will have it.

Too often we say we want something and it is not a WANT it's only a WISH! Do you want it? Does it fill your being with desire to posses it? When you want at this level you will achieve it you will get what you want. The main thing that stops you from having what you want is not the knowing of what you want -it is the lack of wanting. To want it more and more ask yourself the question why? Why do you want it? Why else do you want it and ask this question some 7-12 times and make a list and quickly become embroiled in the 3-5 main reasons why you want it and be conscious of it throughout your day. Increase your initial desire for what you want by being mindful of the WHY that drives you to want to achieve your goal.

Stage 2): TAKE ACTION

Once you know what you want it's time to do something about it. Not just anything but a planned and strategic approach to specific, practical steps that lead you towards what you want. (read that sentence again and again till you get it).

Here are some questions that you will need to answer, so that you take calculated and practical steps in actioning your goal. Some may be more relevant than others.

• Do you know what you need to be doing to get what you want?


• Who do you need to speak to?


• When will you start taking action?


• When will you achieve it exactly?


• What do you need so you can achieve your goal?


• What resources do you need, both internal and external resources?


• Who needs to support you in your goal achieving journey?


• What is you 1st, 2nd and 3rd steps?


• What are you going to do in the short-term?

Apply the answers that you have and put them into an action plan. Be detailed in the writing of your plan. Leaving nothing out. Make it clear and precise. The more precise you are in the action steps that you write into your plan, the higher the likelyhood of you achieving what you want. Spare no detail when making an action plan. This stage will give you confidence and formulate a more complete understanding of the effort required of you.

Stage 3): RISK MANAGEMENT

I want you to now address the possible risks, setbacks or self-sabotage that may occur in taking action while in the pursuit of your goal. Use the following questions to assist you in minimising the likelihood of you failing.

• What could possibly go wrong for you?


• What may sabotage your efforts?


• What will you do to overcome any setbacks?


• What are the possible negative impacts that may happen, when you achieve your goal?


• What solutions do you have to successfully address all your setbacks?

Stage 4): MONITORING PROGRESS

Taking action without monitoring your progress is fool hardy. Working hard, without realising whether you are actually moving in the right direction, the goal and supporting actions, soon becomes meaningless. To avoid wasting your efforts you must regularly monitor your progress. I've listed a few questions to prompt you to accurately monitor your progress or not.

• Are your actions taking you towards or away from your goal?


• When will you check you progress?


• What are the specific times or dates that you will check your progress?


• How will you know that you are making progress?


• What will you do if you are not on track?


• Will you use a 3rd party to monitor your progress?


• When things go wrong and your efforts wasted what will you do to get back on track?


• Are you willing to accept your efforts have been wasted and are you able to make the appropriate changes to realign yourself with your goal?

Write your answers into your action plan to ensure you have, specific monitoring milestones, to check that your progress is taking place and you are on track.

Goal Setting Summary

Once you have worked through the 4 stages and also integrated the 10 important tips that I have listed in my earlier blog, you are now well prepared to pursue your goal. Pursue it with absolute gusto. Let nothing distract you from possessing what you want. Enjoy every moment and every step along the way.

Wishing you well as you strive towards your goals.

Colin: www.ignition.org.nz

Do You Know What You Are Doing?

This article was 1 I wrote quite some time ago (It's been updated here). It is specifically for trainers or educators who present to others in a training or classroom style setting. I'll post a number of blogs specifically for trainers. If you're a coach reading this then all you need to do is change the wording from "trainer" to "coach" and you'll find it's very relevant to you also. This is another blog that will nicely link to those I have written on mastery. (Personally I believe that coaches can definitely use some training/presentation skills to grow their coaching business)

Those of you who wish to be masterful as a trainer, then read this and also the other blogs I have written on Mastery which you will find in the archive section.

It Starts With Awareness
You’re about to read my first description of what I consider is the place to start for you to move towards training mastery. I'm calling it (mastery) as your ability to understand and practice this statement “knowing what you do and doing what you know and know what you do does to the learner”. That's my description of training mastery.

If you are doing that then you are indeed moving towards mastery as a trainer. There are some exceptional trainers out in the world – only a few will be able to consciously tell you what they do and know how they do what they do. Therefore the place to start is for you to know that training is about being aware, being purposeful and deliberate, in all that you do.

Consider seriously the following questions:

• Do you know what you do when presenting?


• Are you able to monitor multiple things in succession while training? i.e. audience acceptance; resistance; room temperature; the time remaining; the next topic and supporting music…?
  
  Are you purposeful in all you do or do you do whatever comes to mind? (adlib)
  
• Can you present the topic when you’re slideshow fails or your manuals don’t arrive?
  





• Do you wonder where you are going next in your training?
  
• Are you able to asses what you are saying as you are saying it?
  
• 
  
  Do you get lost at times and ask the group – “now where were we?”
  
  
• Do you find your own trainings boring and blame the content?
  
  Do you know how to start the training?


• Do you know how you will finish the training?


• Do you go "blank" when asked a question fromthe audience?


• Do you get flustered when things aren't going the way you expected them to go?


• Do you believe that mastery is all about “winging it!” and being able to ad-lib?
  
  Do you know the reaction that the listener is having, to what you are saying?
• Do you wonder at times how things turned out so well?


• Do you wonder what went wrong and how did it get that way?


• Do you know how you will break them into groups and call them back?
  
  Do you know how to deal with resistance in the group?
• Do you know what your hands are doing as you talk?
  
• Are you aware of whether you sway from side to side or scratch your crotch as you click through your power point slides?
  
  So your first task, to enable you to be masterful as a trainer, is for you to become increasingly aware of what you do. No, not as you’re doing it, but prior to you doing it! Thinking and doing at the same time is not the best approach when training. And certainly is not a hall-mark of a master trainer. First think and then do. (that's a good start for now)

Plan out what you will do in your presentation. Mentally rehearse how you will present your material and how you will address some or all of the bulleted points I’ve listed above. Add your own points of need for you to have greater awareness and therefore continous improvement in how you deliver your content.

Become aware, before your delivery, of what you will be doing and how you will be doing it and (Wake up and pay attention now!) … what affect you have and how that is effecting the learner's ability to learn.

Many trainers (read this description carefully) know what they do and do what they know - yet do not know what they do, does to the learner!!! Read my description of mastery again and again. Make plans for you to become more aware of what you do and the impact that your behaviour has on those you are presenting to. This is a must have component to be masterful as a trainer or in any other context. Practice being mindful of what you are doing.

Summary:
My final description (in case you didn't get it this late in the article) of training mastery is:

”Knowing what you do and doing what you know, while knowing what you do, is doing to the learner”.

Did you get that? That means training is about applying to self 1st. It’s about consciously being aware. It’s about being purposeful and it’s about knowing knowing cause & effect in the training room. A masterful trainer would never be happy with just the delivery of the content alone (many are though!). No, they want to know that what they did, got through to the learner (for some this is bloody revolutionary, to think they should actually take an interest whether the learner got it!!!).

Apply this principle to what you’re currently doing in your training rooms or presentations and make the appropriate adjustments if necessary. By doing so,the positive results you gain in your trainings will increase.

All of the exceptional trainers I have met, have a burning desire to make a difference with those they present to. They fulfil this by being aware of what they are doing and use exceptional techniques when the present, which I will share with you in this series on Mastery. (check out the blog archive section for more on Mastery)

Initial 1st Steps
So... this is where I want you to begin – to become increasingly more aware and therefore mindful of what you do as a trainer. (Or coach, teacher, adult educator, presenter)

Pictures: Are of actual trainings I and Lena have delivered in order of appearance are:

Auckland - 14 day Neuro Semantic Trainers Training

Sweden - 3 day Self-leadership

Civil Aviation Trainers in the South Island of NZ - http://www.ignition.org.nz/

Presentation Power

It's probably long overdue, that I write a brief blog on presentation skills. Yes, I too have been to presentations made by people who are deemed worthy to listen to (and often are), yet have no idea how to make an effective presentation to an audience. Many of you know my training background so I'm not going to go into that.

Many of you also know my presentation style and experience from conference keynote speaker to corporate training consultant, workshop presenter and trainer of trainers. So I'm not going to go into that either. (You just did Col!).

I'm tired of listening to presenters, especially those presenters that are deemed "leaders in their field" and charge exorbitant rates, for what is nothing more, than a shitty presentation. So I'm going to list all the things you need to do, so you too, can - BE JUST LIKE THEM!!!

That's right, do all of these things (I'll stop at 21) and you'll be the best shitty international, leading edge presenter, there is!!

How to Make A Powerful Presentation

1. Arrive late to your presentation and be completely phased by the fact that you're late. And make some pitiful excuse why you were late! ("...traffics bad this time of morning...").


2. Have no idea how the technical gear you need to use works. How to plug in your laptop to the projector, use a microphone, set sound levels and lighting. Or even open your PowerPoint presentation to begin with!


3. You ask a person in the audience if they can help you setup. Put the chairs out, your manuals and colored pens.


4. When you're introduced to the audience by the MC, correct the MC and let them know how they got some of the details about you wrong. That way you look great because you make others wrong.


5. Stand in front of the projector that is displaying your presentation on the screen behind you. This way you'll have part of your slide projecting onto you ,which will really bring your presentation alive.


6. Walk randomly back and forth across the stage or sway from side to side while standing in 1 place as though you're on a ship at sea. This is an excellent hypnotic induction technique you're using and when they do go to sleep you'll blame them. Not realising you're actually boring them to tears!


7. Make sure your PowerPoint presentation has heaps of words on each slide and preferably use a font size that requires you to squint your eyes to see the mass of words projected onto the screen.


8. Use graphs that can not be seen clearly and say these words "...you probably can't see this graph.." and continue to speak to the group using information from the graph.


9. Use a consistent drone in your voice and minimise any form of vocal variety.


10. When the opportunity presents itself, sound as though what you're saying is the least bit interesting to you. You must also demonstrate how this presentation is an interruption to you doing your favourite activity i.e. gardening or reading a book. (being anywhere else but there!)


11. Read your slides to the audience, word for word. Under no circumstances are you to deviate from what you have written. This is an excellent strategy, to ensure you're like so many other of those shitty presenters. (apparently, if you're from across the seas and do this you here in NZ you must be an expert. So no one says you were crap out of respect for your international reputation!)


12. Use no sequenced line in, one at a time transitions, available to you in PowerPoint. Have all the writing that you have on each slide appear, all at once. Overwhelming them with you're brilliant knowledge of the subject.


13. Under no circumstances are you to allow any form of interaction or engagement between yourself and the audience. While doing this, make sure you keep the audience fixed to their seats without any opportunity to move about or stretch. After all, why would they want to, you're so damn interesting!


14. Lose your place and go searching through your notes for 1-2 minutes to find out where you are in your presentation while ignoring the audience. Make sure you mumble under your breath "...I new this would happen..." - forgetting that your microphone is on.


15. Make 2 or 3 derogatory jokes about religion, politics, gender, race or sexually explicit acts with animals. Ignore the fact that no one laughs. After all, the audience is not as smart as you are, when it comes to appropriate comedy and humor.


16. Insert inappropriate cartoon slides that will hopefully offend a large cross section of the audience. Cartoons that are best used are ones's that have serious religious overtones and guranteed to offend a good cross section of your audience. Naturally you'll think the murmuring of disgust from the audience is in fact a sign they love what you're message.


17. When someone arrives a little late. Make an immediate example out of them and embarrass them in front of the audience. Reminding them, of how disrespectful it is that they've arrived late to your powerful presentation which you've taken days to prepare.


18. Should you have someone ask you a question about the topic you are presenting on. Make them wrong, as soon as you can. This will ensure you're not interrupted again, allowing you to boldly move on through your 79 slides in the remaining 60 minutes you've got, before finishing.


19. Near the end of your presentation insert references to your expo stand you have at the conference and your latest, DVD, mp3 recordings, t-shirts and books you are selling. Offer them a discount if they rush out at the end of your presentation, and you'll (lucky them!) sign copies for the 1st 10 people who buy your latest book today.


20. Knowing the exorbitant fee the conference organisers are paying for your 90 minute presentation. You you are to provide added value, by running over the time allocated for you. The best length of time to run over is 20 minutes, and ignore anyone who gets up and walks out, as you know that they do not appreciate the fact that you're offering extra value by going over the allotted time.


21. Finally. When people meet you after your presentation. Be rude, ignore all interested people who want to meet you. At all times you are to remain aloof and indignant, seperating yourself from this lower class of people, of which you believe all conference goers are. Perhaps, 1 day, they too may reach your "higher order of excellence" and be a conference keynote speaker just like YOU.(whatever!).

This list was way too easy for me to put together. How sad that fact is. If you are a presenter, I hope I have stood on your toes and fingers (ouch!) in the hope, if any of what I have listed - is YOU. That you will change you're ways. And quickly. If I have offended you - congratulations. I hope you will review what you're doing and make some immediate changes to both your attitude and your immense lack of skill!



Audiences deserve better, than what many are offering.

Late Beginnings

I woke up this morning & decided it was time to begin what has been a late start for me, to write for and begin this blogg. A place where I'll share my thoughts and life's happenings on a regular basis. I'll cover everything from my professional world as a Trainer, Presenter, Keynote Speaker, Performance Coach & Neuro Semantic Master Trainer.

I intend on writing about those thoughts that somehow have remained stuck in my mind at the end of the day or woke me up early in the morning, as is often the case. Those thoughts that have in some way, moved me enough to present it here in this forum.

If you have met me in a professional context, then this will be the place where I hope you'll get to know the personal side of the presenters persona. The face that you don't really meet when our paths cross in the business world. This will be challenging for me. It'll require me to be more conscious of what I want to share with you and what I have, that I believe, will positively contribute to those who read this blogg.


Who Will Benefit From Reading and Visiting this Blogg?

Well... if you are wanting to know success principles and are a wanna-be-success magnet at heart, a business leader, trainer, coach and presenter, and have a real interest in personal development in every aspect of your life. You'll do well here at this Blogg!

Over the years, and having meet thousands of people through many presentations and trainings. I have been asked "How did you get to be where you are now?" ... or... "What are you currently reading or exploring now to enhance your professional career?" I'll answer these queries on a regular basis and also invite you to ask more of me in the hope that I can provide an adequate answer for you. In doing so, your feedback or questions will bring real value to this blogg and it's readership.

Save this Blogg in your web browser. Visit often, and drop me a line when you can.

It's been a late beginning, but a beginning all the same to get this Blogg underway. I look forward to sharing the journey with you. Let's begin. . .