Unlocking Intrinsic Motivation: Step 6 of the NLP-Powered Transformation Introduction – I used to hear my grandma and Momma tell this story when I was younger. They were on base during the wintertime, driving down Basilone Road in their old station wagon. There’s a spot in the road where an old Arizona crossing dipped down into the creek. The creek was moving, but not anything they hadn’t got through before. Tampa gave it a little more throttle and aimed a little upstream like you do, which is no big deal. The sound of the motor revving surprised everyone, especially Tampa, when he realized the steering wheel didn’t seem to work anymore.
This is where the story either gets funny in a gently teasing way between them or cold and terrifying on Grandma’s face, depending on the emotions she’s feeling in her memory. She recalls him pushing all the kids, and then her, out of the car windows. We were all excellent swimmers in our family, and Grandma ensured that with her kids, so no one was panicking. That is until Tampa got his pants caught on the door lock button halfway out the window and didn’t get free of the car. They screamed from the creek bank, watching him struggle as it dragged him down the creek into the darkness. Then he was gone. Grandma would sometimes get that thousand-yard stare in her eyes. I’ve seen that same stare on the clients I work with occasionally.
This year’s articles introduce you to the NLP techniques we use as tools and how we can use them in my 12-step program. So far, you’ve already explored the transformative power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) in the first steps of setting goals, self-reflection, communication, emotional intelligence, overcoming trauma, and building resilience. In this article, we dive into Step 6: “Motivation and Goal Alignment,” utilizing NLP techniques to align your values and beliefs with your aspirations.
These foster a deep level of intrinsic motivation and unwavering commitment from within.
Let’s explore two NLP techniques that can help us seamlessly integrate this while on our journey through life.
1. Values Elicitation: Aligning Goals with Core Values In NLP, Values Elicitation is a powerful technique that involves uncovering and clarifying your core values—the principles and beliefs that guide your decisions and actions. As you consciously align your goals with these values, it enhances motivation and ensures a more profound sense of purpose.
Let’s explore this technique in three steps:
- Reflect on Your Values: Begin by contemplating your core values. What principles do you hold dear? What aspects of life genuinely matter to you? For example, values like honesty or the principle of Grandma making sure her kids and grandkids were part dolphin, LOL!. Identify and list the values that resonate with your authentic self; writing them down is critical here. Let’s start with ten, yet you can do as many as you feel are essential to you. Prioritize them; ask yourself, “Can I have # three without #seven?”
- Connect Values to Goals: Consider how your goals align once you’ve clarified your values. For instance, if one of your values is “personal growth,” how does your current goal contribute to your ongoing development? This alignment strengthens your commitment by establishing a meaningful connection between your aspirations and intrinsic motivations.
- Visualize Aligned Success: Utilize visualization to mentally picture the successful achievement of your goal in a way that resonates with your values. Feel the satisfaction and fulfillment of reaching and aligning a goal with what matters most to you. Let this be the most intense movie you have ever connected with your soul, and in your mind, play it as often as you can.
By aligning your goals with your core values through Values Elicitation, you infuse your journey with a profound sense of purpose, enhancing motivation and commitment.
2. The Disney Strategy: Balancing Dreaming and Planning The Disney Strategy is an NLP technique that draws inspiration from Walt Disney’s creative process. This technique involves adopting three distinct roles—Dreamer, Realist, and Critic—to approach goal setting and planning.
By moving through these roles, you will find the balance between your expansive dreaming and practical planning.
- Dreamer (Generate Ideas): Embrace the Dreamer role by allowing your imagination to run free. What is your ideal outcome? Envision the best-case scenario without limitations. Let creativity flow and explore the possibilities.
- Realist (Develop Plans): Transition to the Realist role, grounding your dreams in reality. What practical steps can you take to turn your dreams into achievable goals? Develop a structured plan, considering resources, timelines, and potential challenges.
- Critic (Evaluate and Refine): Lastly, adopt the Critic role to assess your plan objectively. What potential pitfalls do you foresee? Are there areas that require adjustment or refinement? By critically evaluating your plan, you enhance its feasibility and set yourself up for success. The Disney Strategy offers a holistic approach to goal setting, ensuring your dreams are inspiring and attainable.
Conclusion and Invitation to Step 7 Step 6: “Motivation and Goal Alignment” delves into the core of your aspirations, infusing them with the power of intrinsic motivation. By aligning your goals with your core values and balancing dreaming with practical planning, you lay the groundwork for a journey fueled by passion and commitment.
Implement this step in your life, and I invite you to join us next month for Step 7: “Neuro-Linguistic Programming Techniques for Self-Discovery.” We’ll explore advanced NLP techniques designed to uncover layers of self-discovery, guiding you toward a deeper understanding of your authentic self.
After that moment, every grandkid was in the surf, as a junior lifeguard, on swim teams, or in family pools; Grandma never allowed otherwise. The Marines searched for Tampa into the night, yet couldn’t find him and called off the search as the storm worsened. Grandma tucked the kids in bed and sat in the front room, crying all night. It was near daybreak when the door flew open, and a bloody, mud-covered man filled the doorway. In shredded clothes, shivering and barely able to stand, stood Tampa.
The story goes Grandma was pissed and screamed at him, overwhelmed with fear. In that deep voice of his, he said, “I promised you I’d never leave you,” as he hugged her tight. He never did; we lost Grandma first, he always kept a promise. They don’t call them the greatest generation for nothing.
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