Mastering Goals with NLP

James Wildman

So, when we talk about the 'M' in SMART goals—making goals measurable—there's this common perception that it means creating charts, ticking boxes, and obsessing over numbers. But honestly, that's not always the most effective way to track progress, is it?

Amanda Whitmore

Ah, the infamous spreadsheets and Gantt charts! They're enough to give anyone a headache. Honestly, sometimes they can feel like more work than the actual goal itself. What's your alternative, then?

James Wildman

Right, so in NLP, measurable doesn’t have to mean rigid metrics. Let’s consider this idea of control variables—sensory-based clues that tell you whether you’re on track. It’s about observing how you feel, noticing the little signs that say, 'Yes, you’re moving closer to that goal.'

Amanda Whitmore

Sounds a lot more intuitive. But for someone who thrives on structure, how does that work practically? -Give me an example.

James Wildman

Sure! Let me share a story. When I was launching my first startup, we didn't really have traditional business plan milestones. Instead, I'd rely on sensory cues from the market. The energy in customer conversations, those subtle shifts in their tone when they heard our pitch—those tiny, almost intangible signs told me we were solving the right problem. It was an experience, not a checklist.

Amanda Whitmore

hold on. You weren’t obsessively writing down every single movement or sound?

James Wildman

Not at all. It’s like...you trust that your awareness will guide you. I’d get this rush of excitement when I knew I was close—like, you know how you can feel it in your gut when you're onto something big? That’s what I mean by sensory feedback.

Amanda Whitmore

I love that idea. So instead of staring at spreadsheets, you're checking in with yourself emotionally and physically.

James Wildman

Exactly. If I started questioning whether things were working, I'd remind myself of those sensory markers. And you don't need Gantt charts for this—it could be the excitement you feel about tackling your next project or even the relief when something resonates.

Amanda Whitmore

That’s fascinating. It makes goal-setting feel more organic. But, I mean, you must’ve had moments where your ‘control variables’ weren’t enough, right?

James Wildman

Of course! But here’s the thing—those moments served as checks. Instead of panicking, I'd recalibrate. It’s about trusting yourself to recognize when something’s a bit off and adjusting rather than forcing.

Amanda Whitmore

So it’s less about ticking boxes and more about tuning in, yes? That’s a mindset shift for most people, especially those of us glued to metrics and timelines.

James Wildman

Completely. You’re fostering a dialogue with yourself, without needing constant external validation. And honestly, when you align with that approach, the results often speak for themselves.

Amanda Whitmore

I can see where this is going—it ties into trusting your unconscious mind, doesn’t it? Tapping into that intuitive side for guidance.

James Wildman

You’re spot on. It’s about letting go of the need for perfection and leaning into what your unconscious already knows.

Amanda Whitmore

Building trust in your unconscious mind—that’s such an intriguing concept. But how do you even begin to do that? Are there practical ways to start tuning in and really listening to it?

James Wildman

Absolutely. One of the most effective ways is journaling. It’s almost like having a daily conversation with your unconscious mind. You capture the little whispers, those fleeting ideas or feelings, and over time, you notice your patterns and priorities shaping organically.

Amanda Whitmore

Ah, journaling. That’s something I’ve been doing for years, especially at night. I find it...well, cathartic, like a mental reset. But honestly, I stick to recounting events. How do you do it differently?

James Wildman

Great question. The way it’s approached in NLP is more about capturing not just events, but emotions and sensory experiences. For instance, if you had a moment during the day where you felt really motivated, you’d jot down the emotions behind it—was it excitement, gratitude, curiosity? And maybe tie it to a sensory detail. It’s less of a log and more of a map of your internal state.

Amanda Whitmore

Hmm, I like that—a map of your internal state. That’s poetic. Do you find that gets easier with time, or is it something that feels...forced at first?

James Wildman

At first, it might feel a bit unusual. But the beauty is, as you commit to it, you start spotting these small, meaningful shifts. And then there’s this aha moment—you’ll go back to something you wrote weeks ago and realize how much clarity it brings about your progress.

Amanda Whitmore

So what else should be going into this journal? Is it just a collection of feelings and random thoughts?

James Wildman

Not at all. You can add highlights from the day, any breakthroughs, or even challenges that revealed something important. But here’s a twist—end each entry by writing a short note to your future self. Something like, ‘Keep going, you’ve got this,’ or even just a nudge to focus on a particular task. It’s grounding and motivating.

Amanda Whitmore

Oh, I do love that. Writing to your future self...it’s like sending encouragement across time. And, honestly, it sounds like a brilliant way to reframe a tough day.

James Wildman

Exactly. It reinforces that dialogue with your unconscious. When you start recognizing those patterns, it becomes second nature to adjust your approach without overthinking.

Amanda Whitmore

Well, you've sold me on it. I’ll admit, I sometimes lose track of why I’m journaling, but this sensory focus adds a whole new dimension. And now I’m wondering if I’ve been underutilizing this tool all along.

James Wildman

It’s easy to overlook because, honestly, it’s deceptively simple. But when you lean into the process, it’s like a mirror reflecting what’s working and what’s not. Your unconscious knows more than you realize—it’s just waiting for you to listen.

Amanda Whitmore

You know, James, as we were talking about tuning into the unconscious mind, it struck me—fear often seems to be one of the loudest voices we encounter there. It’s such a universal experience, isn’t it? No matter how much success someone has, there’s always that little whisper of doubt. Do you think fear is more of a mental block, or is there something deeper at play?

James Wildman

It’s a bit of both, really. Fear can be a natural response—something evolutionary that’s meant to protect us. But often, it’s our conscious mind blowing things out of proportion. The important thing is to recognize that fear isn’t the enemy. It’s simply a signal that we need to pay attention to something.

Amanda Whitmore

That’s such a refreshing take. And I guess acknowledging fear is the first step, right? I remember my first live broadcast. I was shaking. Absolutely convinced I'd mess it all up. But the funny thing was...

James Wildman

What happened?

Amanda Whitmore

Well, I got through it! And no one even noticed how nervous I was. Looking back, I realized the fear wasn’t about failing—it was about being vulnerable, putting myself out there. But here’s the kicker: I told my producer about my jitters, and they kept me grounded, checking in every so often. That's when I first learned the value of accountability.

James Wildman

Exactly. Accountability can be so powerful. There’s this psychological boost when someone else is invested in your success. It’s not about letting them control your actions, but rather having that extra layer of encouragement and commitment.

Amanda Whitmore

Totally. And for those who don’t have accountability partners, there’s always the strategy of going public with your goals, right? You might not want to broadcast every little detail, but telling someone creates that sense of shared purpose. It makes it real.

James Wildman

Absolutely. Announcing your goal—even to one trusted person—makes it harder to back out. There’s this added motivation, knowing you’ve voiced your intentions. But here’s an interesting thought, Amanda: have you noticed how fear starts to fade away the moment you take the tiniest action?

Amanda Whitmore

Absolutely! I mean, back to that first broadcast—I was overthinking everything. But the second I started speaking, the fear melted away. It’s like our minds build things up to be these towering obstacles, but in reality, they’re often just speed bumps.

James Wildman

Exactly. Once you engage, the energy shifts. Action is the antidote to fear. Even the smallest step can create momentum. And let’s not forget—it’s okay if it’s not perfect. Progress trumps perfection every time.

Amanda Whitmore

That’s such a great reminder. And speaking of progress, I think we’ve covered some incredibly valuable ground today, wouldn’t you say?

James Wildman

We’ve touched on fear, accountability, and even letting go of perfection. It all comes back to trusting the process and leaning into action.

Amanda Whitmore

Exactly. And for all our listeners out there, remember this: every great achievement starts with a single, imperfect step. Act now, embrace the journey, and don’t be afraid to tell someone about your goals. You’ll be amazed at where it can lead.

James Wildman

And on that note, we’ll leave you to take that next step. Thanks for joining us today. We’ll see you next time.

Amanda Whitmore

Take care, everyone!