The Power of Deciding in Advance II: 3 steps to nailing it every time!

Deciding in advance is clearly a crucial discipline to develop. In a previous post, I discussed how powerful this principle is in achieving your most important goals. If you read that post, you might be on board with the idea. But is there an easy model to follow to be able to do it well? Here I offer you a 3-step thought process to help. We have already touched on these steps indirectly in the previous post. Here, I will make them more explicit so you can apply them to a broader range of circumstances.

Let us begin.

1. Clarify the goal

It is easy to over-complicate the concept of goals. Layers of complicated science and even metaphysics can make goals and goal-setting seem like some extremely academic or esoteric practice. But the truth is that you are never not working with a goal. Goals determine everything. We are fundamentally goal-oriented beings. It is impossible to do anything—from scratching our noses to setting sail for a new land—without some desired outcome. A less itchy nose perhaps. Or the promise of a better life. Goals direct our actions all the time.

...you are never not working with a goal. Goals determine everything. We are fundamentally goal-oriented beings.

One wonderful use of goals , and one that is not nearly talked about enough is that use of goals as filters.

A clearly clarified goal automatically eliminates a lot of options for what is desired, allowed, tolerable and absolutely unacceptable. A body-builder training for a competition does not have the luxury of eating a lot of the treats we mere mortals indulge in casually and regularly. This person’s goals have automatically ruled out bear claws, doughnuts and ice-cream until possibly after the competition. But if this person had not clarified the goal of doing well in the competition, well, they would have a harder time with the menu, wouldn’t they?

A clearly clarified goal automatically eliminates a lot of options for what is desired, allowed, tolerable and absolutely unacceptable.

The thrust of the point here is that simply clarifying your goals can be a very effective piece of helping you decide in advance. In fact, it is itself a form of deciding in advance—you are deciding on a future you desire. To make the journey easier, you can decide in advance about your route and eliminate detours and dead-ends as best you can.

2. Anticipate scenarios

OK, you have clarified your goals. You have pictured the better future. Whether it is a grand life-goal like being the head of a multi-national corporation or NGO. Or maybe it is something more immediate like finishing your errands in time to spend some time with your family before bed time. Or something in between like acing an upcoming professional exam. Whatever the case, your goal is now clear enough.

Now, you need to anticipate scenarios. That is, within reason, what are some of the situations that could arise along the way? You will not be able to anticipate everything of course—you are not omniscient. But I’ll bet you can anticipate the most likely ones.

This step is often overlooked. We know, if we are being honest, that the path to our goals will not be without challenges. But then, for some reason, instead of anticipating those challenges, what do we do? Nothing. We don’t even take the time to think about it. I cannot tell you how many goal-setting sessions, including seminars on goal-setting, that I have attended where the aspect of anticipating scenarios down the road is not even mentioned much less addressed.

Yet, it is a vital part of success. When something you have not anticipated happens, it can blindside you greatly lowering the chances that you will respond correctly. And while you might be thinking about this in terms of negative scenarios, it applied to positive ones as well.

...if we are being honest, that the path to our goals will not be without challenges.

You are more likely to respond (and even prepare for that matter) effectively to either a threat, distraction or opportunity when you have anticipated it. And while we are talking about responses, let us look at the third step—planning your response

3. Choose your response

A Q&A is one of the most stressful parts of any speech for most speakers. This is the section where the speaker entertains questions from the audience. It usually comes at the end of the speaker’s prepared presentation and, in honest presentations, the questions are candid questions from audience members.

Why is it so stressful for the speaker? Well, it is about control. You see, up to the point of the Q&A, the speaker had been presenting a prepared presentation. They had likely been delivering a polished and well-rehearsed speech where they had had time to think through and synthesize their thoughts coherently. At least that is what one would hope.

But when the dreaded words, “we will now open it up for questions” is uttered, all that control goes out the window! This is a much more potentially chaotic situation where a single question can throw the speaker off balance and ruin the positive impact of an otherwise successful presentation. What can a speaker do to increase their chances of success? Well, they can decide their responses in advance.

Having clarified the goal of their presentation, they can anticipate likely questions based on the content and context of their presentation and then prepare their responses in advance. When I coach speakers, this is something I emphasize heavily. The peak-end rule of psychology means that the end of an experience has more influence in shaping how the event is remembered than anything else. And because Q&A often happens at the end of a presentation, getting it right is critical. I get them to walk through their content and develop almost a second layer of content to effectively address questions that might arise from their audience. Essentially, I am asking them to decide in advance how they will respond and prepare accordingly. They can then go into the Q&A with a lot more confidence and poise knowing they are less likely to be blindsided. If you find you struggle with Q&As in your presentations, you can read this article.

You may not be a public speaker but this principle applies to just about any important goal-oriented activity you are involved in. Deliberately choosing how you will respond to situations that arise ahead of them arising will not only make it more likely you will be able to neutralize threats more efficiently, it will also help you make the most of opportunities all while maintaining a state of relative confidence and calm.

All three steps in one statement

If I were to sum all three principles up in one statement it would be this—

My Goal is to ______ and if_____ happens, then I will _____________.

Simple, I know, but as we have seen, incredibly powerful.

Until the next article, do your best and be your best.