Drawn from the work of Richard Bandler & John Grinder.

A way of thinking about and expressing an outcome which makes it both achievable and verifiable. The model for change is to more from Present State to Desired State. To do this you need to know where you are now and where you want to get to. This requires resources

PRESENT STATE + RESOURCES = DESIRED STATE

Start with CHUNKING - UP or DOWN

Chunking is a way of getting at the size of the issue being addressed. Some people like to "chunk-up" to get an overview or see their goal as part of a bigger picture. Small chunkers like to get at the detail first, before they consider what it all adds up to. You can also chunk sideways or think laterally about something similar.

For example:
Chunk up - appearance. Clothes might be an example
Chunk down - socks. A specific type of clothing
Chunk sideways - books. Also available in an Oxfam Shop

Am I considering the right chunk size ?

A goal or outcome is well formed when:

1. It is expressed in the positive
We often know what we don't want, but this is negative. Goals need to be expressed in the positive. To know it's positive, the negative has to be understood.
2. You can describe it in sensory terms
How will you know when you have achieved your goal ? What will your sensory (see, hear, feel, smell, taste) evidence be ?
3. It's under your control (action on your own part)
What will you do ? Not relying on others to do something. Being proactive to find out what you need to know, do or understand to make the change happen.
4. The context is clear (SMART - specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timebound)
What exactly do you want ? When do you want it ? Where do you want it ? Who else wants it ? Chunk it down into stages - short and long term.
5. The resources are defined and their source identified
How will you get what you need (internally and externally) such as physical, skill based and behavioural resources
6. It is ecological in terms of time taken, costs incurred, consequences or the impact on your identity
What could you lose by achieving your goal ? How could the benefits be protected ? How might others be affected ?

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