YOUR YEAR SERIES – YOUR GOAL

EP #69

 

“Do I need a life coach?” You’re listening to Episode 69, with Rhiannon Bush

 

Welcome to the Do I need a life coach? Podcast. We’re here to discuss the ins- and outs- of the life coaching industry and give you tools to use, to see for yourself. I’m your host, Rhiannon Bush. Mother, management consultant and a passionate, certified life coach.

 

Hello my friends, welcome back! So now we’ve done our Perfect Average Day, we’re going to take time today to identify the gap - from where you are now (A), to where you want to be (B) and at the end, you will have summarised that into a paragraph. This paragraph will be your B. Your goal.

 

When it comes to setting your goal, there are a few things to keep in mind to really set yourself up for success.

 

The first is to be mindful of how you best learn and how you process the world around you, whether that’s visual, auditory, kinesthetically, olfactory or gustorially, or audio-digitally - whether information is meaningful to you – data, logic, reasoning, etc. Something to note, you’ll have preferences from that list. You’ll fundamentally lean into one or two senses that help you, more effectively than your other senses, process your world. For example, chefs will be more gustorial. Musicians auditory. Perfumiest olfactory. The majority of the population is kinesthetic (touch) and visual. Our visual sense is strong because it’s a survival mechanism. It has a significantly larger percentage of our neurology is attributed to our optic nerves and our vision to protect us and keep us alive. So here’s a hint…

 

We all have the capacity to process through our eyes, ears, nose, mouth, touch and sense and information. Therefore if you can find a way to incorporate as many of these factors into your visualisations and goal setting, the more holistic and beneficial it will be. It will also help you work out, at the time, whether it’s something you can really feel and access, or whether it’s something you need to create an interim step on the way to achieving it.

 

Ready to give it a try?  Here we go.

Take a few breaths and do a body scan.

 

In the hush of dusk, as the sky painted itself in hues of apricot and lavender, you step into your car, the metallic click of the door echoing your anticipation. The worn leather seats welcome you, exuding the familiar scent of journeys past, each memory etched into the very fibers of the upholstery. You nestle into the driver's seat, your fingers instinctively finding the well-worn grooves of the steering wheel, a companion on countless voyages.

 

As the engine purrs to life, a symphony of excitement crescendoes within your chest. The vehicle, a vessel of aspirations, hums in sync with your racing heartbeat, poised to navigate the well-trodden roads toward your dream home. The road crunches beneath the tires as the car glides into motion, an orchestra of whispers serenading you on the journey.

 

The route, once mere lines etched on a map, now unfold before you like a tapestry woven from ambition and determination. The landscape evolves around you, each passing scene akin to turning pages in a cherished storybook. Your storybook. Vast scenery dances in the gentle breeze, as you cruise on by, observing the story of your life so far.

 

The sun, a radiant conductor, dips below the horizon, casting its golden fingers across the sky, reminds and reassures you of the path you’re on. Shadows grow long, stretching like outstretched arms welcoming you home. The car winds its way like a master navigator, following the compass of your unwavering resolve.

 

Approaching your dream home, the air shimmering with anticipation. The front light, a beacon of warmth, flickers to life, signaling the gateway to a sanctuary you have meticulously crafted that now stands before you. The car slows, as you park and open the door.

 

The glow from within the house spills out, illuminating the facade, and reminding you of all you’ve achieved and all you’ve overcome. The scent of savory delights waft through the air, mingling with the chorus of laughter and mirth that dances within the walls of your home. Through the window, you catch glimpses of your loved ones, silhouetted against the backdrop of joyous reunion, each familiar gesture is one of love and familiarity.

 

With a contented sigh, your feet find the stone path that led to your front door. The smell of home, the fresh air fills your nostrils as you breathe in a sigh and prepare for the rush of love and jest you’ll receive from family once over the threshold. The firmness of the door handle, the gentle creak of the hinges, signals your entry into a haven sculpted by perseverance and dedication.

 

Inside, the tableau unfolds - a symphony of smiles and embraces, a canvas painted with the hues of shared joy. Pride fills you as you survey the scene—the table adorned with culinary creations, the laughter weaving through the air like a comforting melody, and the warmth of familial bonds cocooning you in their embrace. Surrounded by artefacts and things you love – paintings, vases, furniture, images. You’re home.

 

In that moment, as you stand in your dream home, surrounded by the tapestry of your achievements, you feel an ineffable sense of contentment and empowerment. The culmination of your journey wraps around you like a warm blanket, infusing your spirit with the unwavering belief that dreams, with perseverance and dedication, can indeed materialize into a reality more vibrant than one dared to imagine.

 

Ask your gut. What does your gut tell you?

 

And now rise slightly. What does your heart say? Does it agree with your gut?

 

And rise even further. What does your head say?  Does it agree with your heart and gut?

 

Now coming back into the room, take that vision and document what it is you want. Write it down. Take all the time and write it down in excruciating details. Really explain and express what you experienced. What you saw, what you felt, what you thought, smelt, touched, and tasted.

 

Pause this, and do that now. Re-start from here when you’re ready for the next step.

 

Now we turn that into a SMARTER -C goal.

 

Specific: specific goals are clear and detailed. Let’s consider the following:

What do I want to achieve?

Why do I want to achieve this?

Who is involved?

Where does the goal take place?

When will it happen?
 

Measureable – you need to be able to measure this. You need to know you have definitely achieved it - yes, or no. Start here. “I’ll know when I’ve accomplished this goal when… “

 

Attainable – Is this a) something within reach; and b) something you want? Because if not, you’ll self-sabotage it. Can you do this – Capability, Capacity, Desire? Score yourself out of 10 for each of these – do you have the means – yes or no, as in the skill, the ability? Do you have capacity – the time, the money, the resources? Do you truly want it? Why? Your score out of 30 (for each) should be at least a 24/30. If it’s not, revisit your goal and the questions that I asked under ‘specific’ or re-visit your PAD.

 

Realistic – here’s the kicker. If what you’ve written down is not realistic right now then good for you. Well done. Love that! Keep that somewhere. And for this exercise today, pick your first milestone. Something that’s challenging, but something you can feel and think you can achieve. Something that you can see the path towards achieving and the light at the end of the tunnel.  That’s what makes it realistic. Realistic also feeds back into desire that I mentioned under ‘attainable’. Why do you desire this? It’s ok whatever your reason is. Also if it’s selfish or selfless – doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re happy with your why and you choose to proceed, or revisit it, on that basis.

 

Timely – Give it a specific date, time and where you’ll be. By putting a time frame on your goal, you’re mentally getting your RAS focused on achieving it. It provides motivation and momentum because you set yourself a deadline to work towards. Consider this… “When will I achieve this goal?”

 

Now, two steps not often added to ‘SMART’ goals:

 

Evaluate – Put in milestones to track your goal attainment along. This way, you’ll know whether you’re off course and need to correct your trajectory, or whether you’re right where you need to be and on track to achieving it. 

 

Re-adjust – When we set SMARTER goals and ‘live as if it’s true’ along the way, sometimes we can get to a certain point where what we’ve set out to achieve initially is no longer what we want. This is incredibly exciting and an opportunity to re-adjust our initial vision to work out what we want now and make another SMARTER goal to achieve that instead. 

 

How will you celebrate? While this is a very important step, we’ll cover this in the next episode so don’t worry too much about it now.

 

A client gave me permission to share his SMART Goal with you:

 

It’s 30th July 2024 and I have turned over $550,000 in my coffee distribution business for the year. I am living in a house I adore and afford easily, with beautiful furnishings and artwork. It’s a wonderful place to be and I have an amazing family who pop in and out as they like. I’m surrounded by love and have an inspirational group of friends who champion me. We support each other to keep growing and I’m able to celebrate my achievements with them and by myself with. I have 3 competent and happy staff members who work for me in the business. I get to foster their growth and development and they teach me about my leadership style which at times is challenging. I am half-way through writing my book which is due to be completed ready for publishing on 1st December. I’m actively seeking people to go on a date with and am putting myself out there. I’m remaining light and free about it and having fun. I am healthy, energetic, active, challenged, energised and vibrant in all areas of my life. 

 

Now make it SMARTER: 

 

I evaluate my financial targets at the end of every quarter and then tally that at the end of each financial year to see the increases I have made and to make sure I’m on target. I work with my accountant to make sure I know what my targets need to be and what I must do to meet them. At this time I also re-adjust anything necessary to make sure I’m setting myself up for future growth and success.

Now pause me, and read your SMARTER goal out loud. Stand up, puff your chest out and say it out loud, with conviction. There’s neuroscience behind this, I’m not asking you to do this for the fun of it.. although it is fun if you just choose to make it so. Don’t take yourself too seriously, just play here. Laugh at yourself if it helps, but do the work. Commit to yourself because who deserves this more than you?

 

Now you have your SMARTER goal. Sit with it. Read it. Make sure each word, each sentence feels right for you. Edit as necessary – it’s yours.

 

Next session we’ll break it down into bite-size steps. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

 

See you soon.

 

 

Hey! Before you go, I always find reviews really helpful when looking for new information or insights…

 

I you’ve found this podcast valuable, please take a minute to write a quick review about what you’ve found most beneficial for you, so other people can benefit from your insights, and listen in too. I would LOVE that!

Also, if there are any topics you’d like me to cover specifically about life coaching or the life coaching industry, visit rhiannonbush.com to contact me. Thanks for joining and I’ll see you in the next episode of Do I Need A Life Coach?!

 

 

Please note, this transcription may not be exact.