Deciding to lose weight, get fitter or healthier is one of the most important decisions we can make. When we resolve to make changes such as these, we often feel really determined and resolute.

Yet why do we so often end up failing in our efforts and reverting back to our old ways? 

The answer quite simply is that our habits are so ingrained that we have to train our brains before we can train our bodies. 

Just using willpower and self-discipline is like trying to chop down a big tree with a penknife, simply too painful and will take forever! We need a little preparation work to get our minds on our side, and by this I mean both levels of our mind, our conscious and subconscious. Since information about habits is stored in the subconscious mind  it makes sense to ensure this powerful area of our mind is working for us rather than against us.

The 9 Keys to an Achievable Outcome

These questions have been developed in Neuro-linguistic Programming, a science of behaviour change. Work through these series of questions and write the answers down. Your outcome can be anything you want to be, do or have.

Begin by asking yourself: ” How is it possible that I don’t have it now?”

 1. State in the positive

” What specifically do you want?”

2. Specify your present situation

“Where are you now?”

3. Specify your outcome

“What will you see when you have it?”

What will you hear when you have it?”

What will you feel when you have it?”

4. Specify evidence of result

“How will you know when you’ve achieved it?”

5. Is it desirable?

“What will this outcome get for you or allow you to do?”

6. Is it for self-initiated and self-maintainable?

“Is this outcome only for you?”

7. Is it in an appropriate context?

“When do you want to achieve this?”

“How do you want to achieve this?”

8. What resources are needed?

 “What do you have now, and what do you need to have to achieve your outcome?”

“Have you ever had or done this before?”

“Do you know anyone who has?”

“Can you act as if you have it?”

9. Your biggest motivational drivers

“For what purpose do you want this?”

“What will you gain or lose if you have it?”

“What will happen if you get it?”

“What won’t happen if you get it?”

“What will happen if you don’t get it?”

“What won’t happen if you don’t get it?”

Training your brain by answering these questions is powerful and will help you set and cement in your mind an achievable outcome. In combination with writing the answers down, research shows you are at least ten times more likely to achieve your goal. 

A little preparation can go a long, long way.

The mind is key to producing successful results. Everyone is in charge of their mind and therefore their results. You are in charge of your mind, and therefore, your results.