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NLP Techniques - Embedded Commands,  Fast Phobia Cure,  Logical Levels,  Outcomes,  Six step reframing,  Stalking,  Stake Elicitation and anchor,  Swish,  Timeline,  Walking State

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.

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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 four key criteria:

• Stated in the positive

Its 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

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.

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 - don’t be tempted to paraphrase or restate it. Always use other people’s 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 worry about the answers that they come up with, pay more attention to them. 

Positive: 

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 won’t happen if you get it? 

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

What won’t 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?

Copyright 2007 PPI Business NLP, thanks to Peter Freeth