WHY ISN’T IT ENOUGH WITH INTENTIONS TO ACHIEVE GOALS?
Coaching puts the methodology in place, but it is only a part of why it works. Chvmpion Mind puts the structure, which is what we all need to be supported and achievers.
Peter M. Gollwitzer, from the University of Konstanz, told us in an article published a few years ago in the American Psychologist that Intention is only 20-30% of what is required to reach goals.
How many times have you wanted to do something or stop doing it? And that’s where it’s stayed, in good intentions.
If we take a part of the famous method of the inner game of Timothy Galway’s Tennis, popular in the world of coaching, where you usually ask: from 0 to 10, what intention do you have in doing X action? (Being 0 = no intention, and being 10 = I will definitely)
Turns out what Peter M. Gollwitzer tells us is that not even a ten is enough to do it. Moreover, we could make the following equation: an intention of 8 would be = 20% intention, 9 = 25% intention, and 10 = 30% intention.
According to many psychologists, with this same question, when you answer 7 or less, it means that there is almost nothing of intention, or that you depend more on third parties or other factors for something to happen.
So, now that coaches thought that all their clients were going to respond safely to the action, simply by answering the question above that their intention was a 10, perhaps they can realize that that ten needs other elements in order for it to be fulfilled.
To make progress you need to persist in what you want to do, repeat it enough times. In other words, create a new habit or several that will lead you to your goals.
And this means that without action there are no achievements. I know this is a truism, so obvious that it didn’t even have to be mentioned, and yet why do so many people keep making promises full of good intentions and don’t even get to take a step toward those promises?
The mistake is that they focus on achievement, on the goal.
For instance, to dream is very positive, in fact, to see the promising future, reaching the objectives usually is very motivating, and this can originate adrenaline that invites us to move.
However, many times this state of mind that we achieve with dreams does not offer the expected results, because like all chemistry that is created in the body, whether by actions, thoughts or medications, its effects are not eternal.
Therefore, some dream from the couch, and when they decide to get up the effect of sleep has been removed and does not do what they thought they should do to achieve their dream.
The key is to focus on the benefit of every little step and action we take, not on the final achievement.
If you perform a small action and recognize the benefit of that action, the brain’s gratification center will not only feel the chemistry that comes through that little step but will begin to associate that reward with actions, and repeated actions, become habits, and habits that generate endorphins towards the reward system, encourage us to continue, to do more and more … until voila, you reach your goal!
In coaching we usually say, when a client’s objective is big (and this is a very personal perception of the client) then it is better to start eating the elephant little by little. If you add to this, that in each bite, each step it takes, you get the adrenaline hormone in the brain.
The client will recognize the benefits of that step, instead of constantly looking at the final goal, you will be getting motivated as you see the steps are taken and their benefits achieved at every moment, which often is better than the goal set, and with the adrenaline shooting up in your brain, you will be able to create neuro-pathways that will help you to keep going.
The goal is recorded in the rational part of the mint, and one usually talks about it: I made it, or I didn’t make it. It’s costing me a lot. I have a long way to go before I get to it, etc.
On the other hand, if you look at the benefits of each step taken, they will go to the limbic brain, as well as the prefrontal brain, creating positive emotions associated with events and actions that will encourage you to keep moving forward.
And with it, the intention will have passed to the action, the action will become a habit, and the habit will bring you closer, will make you reach your goal.
A very effective way in which we can encourage the first actions, to continue and overcome obstacles is by asking ourselves: What am I learning? How can I grow with this learning?
Focus on daily/weekly learning in the short term. In addition to learning there is also pleasure (gratification center), and this helps us to realize the things we can maintain or we can go correcting, and this way it is easier to accept that a step did not go well, and change it, do something different.
In this way you don’t think about the objective and how distant it still is, but about the things you are achieving along the way.
Identifying daily, weekly distractions and addressing them also helps to overcome them and develop our resilience. So once again, and as a wise man once said: “I take care of the minute by minute of my day, that of weeks, months and years destiny takes care of”.
Another important point is to design strategies to move forward but be flexible with yourself. A goal without a strategy is difficult to achieve, but a rigid strategy can block progress.
Strategies are like paper maps, which tell us which way to go, but if when we reach a street, it is blocked, because of works, accidents, etc… we will look at the map again, to see what alternatives to take. In other words, if I create a strategy and it doesn’t work, I can think about designing another one until I find the one that works best for me.
If my focus is on finding the best strategy, I will be encouraging the search for alternatives through action.
Instead of thinking rigidly that I can only do it in one way, that if it didn’t work out for me, my goal seems to fade away. And if the strategy works for you, keep applying it!
Coaches often ask our clients what do you think at the moment? What kind of thoughts do you have in X or Y situations? Seeking to identify their internal dialogue.
Identify the internal dialogue so they don’t sabotage their intention. Human beings tend to justify everything they do or fail to do, and if our internal dialogue crushes us and feeds us to stay in the comfort zone, not taking action towards what we want is something that can be avoided if we observe our internal dialogue.
To have a champion mind requires champion thoughts and champion small steps. Sometimes we think that is very brave to take a big step, but the bravery is on taking continue small steps.
It is easier to win a gold medal, that to be finalist 3 times. The first one requires a bit of talent and a bit of big luck. The second one requires a lot of talent and a lot of work, and maybe, just maybe, a bit of luck, which is not in our control. But the rest, it is.
For this, meditating every day, even if it is 5 or 10 minutes, two or three times a day, can help us a lot to avoid that the internal dialogue is our biggest enemy.
And finally, to say that the implementation of a method or a strategy is crucial. It is to move from intention to action. In other words, ACTION of what you plan is essential. If you don’t implement what you plan, you can’t see anything of the above, you can’t feel the benefit of the steps, the gratification of the impact that you are achieving, or make changes in the strategy if it gave place, etc…
The implementation is key in coaching in the attainment of achievements and one of the things that makes the most difference so that the objectives are achieved…
Jose L. Menéndez
Founder and CEO of OlaCoach Corporate S.L.
Master Certified Coach by the ICF and
Master in Positive Leadership & Strategy
Founder and CEO of the CHVMPION MIND™ Technology
Jose L. Menéndez is known as an expert in Coaching and Applied Neuroscience in the development of Talent and Leadership. He has the ability to “translate” neuroscientific studies and knowledge into a simple and pragmatic way for leaders and executives to realize their professional and personal potential using brain optimization methods to achieve results.
Pioneer of Coaching and Applied Neuroscience, he directs OlaCoach Corporate S.L., a boutique of consultancy specialized in the creation of programs and designs for the development of behaviors linked to entrepreneurial competencies, through Neuroscience, tools of Integral Coaching and methodology CHVMPION MIND ™.
His clients include large multinationals such as Microsoft, Intel, Coca Cola, PwC, Telefónica, Inditex, REMAX, BBVA, Siemens, Newmont, ABB and many more, in addition to smalls and medium companies.
Certified in the use of Neuro Quotient ® Tools, behavior diagnosis based on Neuroscience, ideal for the development of Talent and Leadership, and Team Diagnostic Assessment ™ ideal tool to detect productivity elements and develop High-Performance Teams under this model of Systemic Coaching.
In his free time, he likes to walk and talk with his wife while they enjoy a good tapa, preferably Iberian ham with a good wine, and a carajillo to finish a good meal.
To find out how Jose L. can help your organization maximize its true potential, you can write to jlmenendez@chvmpionmind.com https://chvmpionmind.com