EP #86 TimeLine and Goal Reaching

01/31/25 • 60 min

1. What is TimeLine?

A Timeline is a visual, linear experience of how someone codes and stores time. In NLP timeline is a term used to describe how we internally represent time. We internally represent the past, present, and future differently. The concept was originally laid out in the TimeLine Therapy and the Basis of Personality by Tad James and Wyatt Woodsmall. It was a project given to them by Richard Bandler. Timeline can be used to create goal representations as well as heal past traumas.

2. How can TL be used to establish goals and make them more real and likely to be achieved?

Since the timeline is a visual linear representation of time, putting pictures of goals on the TL can create spatial representations of what and when something might happen.

3. Before using TL for goals establish clear goals and outcomes.

Remember that goal setting and reaching is a process. It is more complex than just creating an image inside your head and saying this is what I want.

The first step is to verbalize your goal in active language (versus passive language). E.g. Make $100,000 in revenue by Dec. 31, 2025. As compared to I want to be able to make .... Or I want to be better at sales. (This is not specific and uses a comparative deletion “better” which makes it difficult for the brain to figure out exactly what you mean.)

Make the statement crisp and clean

Establish what you want using the NLP outcome frame. This helps define details, set a direction, specify contexts, handle ecology, and create a sensory-based representation using all three primary senses. Answer all of the questions in the outcome frame.

Now you are ready to create a timeline representation of the goal.

4. What is the specific process?

Remember that goals usually have action steps. Divide the goal into 3 action steps with time frames. Now you are ready to place on the timeline. This process works best if you walk the timeline and use spatial anchors.

Future pacing:

What is the overall time frame for accomplishing this outcome or goal?

Select a concrete goal or project to be accomplished in 12 months; create 3-time chunks between the present and the achievement. Now use the time line to place pictures in sequence. Notice the difference in your feeling of achieving the goal.

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1. What is TimeLine?

2. How can TL be used to establish goals and make them more real and likely to be achieved?

Since the timeline is a visual linear representation of time, putting pictures of goals on the TL can create spatial representations of what and when something might happen.

3. Before using TL for goals establish clear goals and outcomes.

Remember that goal setting and reaching is a process. It is more complex than just creating an image inside your head and saying this is what I want.

Make the statement crisp and clean

Now you are ready to create a timeline representation of the goal.

4. What is the specific process?

Future pacing:

What is the overall time frame for accomplishing this outcome or goal?

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Previous Episode

EP #85 Hunting for Treasure: Designing Treasure Boards that Work

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Main Points:

· Understand the goal-reaching process and what makes goals happen

· Picture representation of goals for the coming year

· Construct the boards for optimum effectiveness

· Well-constructed boards that are ecological, align with values and Include 5 major areas of a person’s life: faith, fitness, family, friends, financial

· Eyes move easily around

· These work like magic

· You can create anything you want and do if you are willing to do the dream and do the work

1st know what you want: written and date-specific

A goal is a picture attached to a feeling: a feeling of already having achieved it.

We think in three different ways –experience is made up of VAKAG

The more senses involved the more likely the goal will manifest

The visual channel goes into the future – be able to see yourself reading the desired outcome

Movie, dissociated vs associated

Write goals down – use all three senses

Success = balance

Anyone can make a lot of money by working 14-16 hours a day and being focused at the expense of other areas of life.

Success is achieved when a person achieves their desired goals in a balanced

Desire, faith expectancy – in every desire is the seed of its manifestation

Do the work (be involved in the process)

Have faith that the desire will be reached

Goal questions: what skills do I have; what skills do I need?; how do I get the skills that I need?

Goals: decide what you want, give it attention, take feedback, effortless, expect

Does not achieve – feedback, adjust – may not know the bigger picture

Trust the details will be handled.

Give yourself a periodic reward

Closely timed

Understand what motivates you – what are you getting from this?

Divine discontent

Don’t get ready – get started

When reaching a goal – set a new one at the point of fulfillment

Falling short of a goal is not failure, only feedback. Many successful people don’t reach goals consistently. Set high goals to have greater achievement

Peak performance

3 peak principles of high achievement – John Noe

The boards

5 areas

Few words

Flowers add life

Appeals to you

Relationships – couples

You may have to override the organization in your mind

Sparkle – Jewelry

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Next Episode

EP #87 The Not-So-Subtle Art of Complaining

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The Not-So-Subtle Art of Complaining

Most of us complain, but is it good or bad? What makes it productive or toxic?

Overview of what will be covered:

Common language patterns of complaining
The benefits and downsides of complaining
How to shift from chronic complaining

The Language of Complaints

This was discovered by using AI to analyze posts on a social media platform that contained complaints. We then used the NLP Meta Model pattern to refine the search and find the 8 most common language patterns in complaints. Four of the most common patterns fit into the Meta Model, and AI discovered four patterns that are unique to complaining.

Discuss the top 8 common language patterns of complaining:

Negative Personal Attribution (e.g., “He’s rude,” “They’re such idiots.”) Lost Evaluator or Lost Performative
Absolute Overgeneralization – Never, Always, Nothing, etc. (“They never listen”) Universal Quantifier
Modal Operators – Can’t, Should, Need to (“She should know better.”)
Cause/Effect Statements (“Because they lied, I’m mad,” “He’s late again, so it’s pointless now.”)
Rhetorical Venting Questions - Why and How (“Why are people so annoying?”)
Hyperbolic Adverbs – Totally, Absolutely, Completely (“This is totally unfair”)
“Keeps” Phrases - (“She keeps yelling.” “This keeps happening.”)
Sarcasm - “Thanks/Good Job” (“Oh, great job!”)

Recognizing these patterns can help us avoid chronic complaining, lessen its negative impact on ourselves, or better understand how to deal with people who complain to us.

The Positive Side of Complaining

Exploring how complaining can be beneficial:
One of the NLP presuppositions is “All behavior is useful in some context.” When does complaining serve a useful purpose?

The Dark Side of Complaining

Strategies to Overcome Chronic Complaining in Ourselves

Key Takeaways:

Complaining isn’t inherently bad—it depends on the purpose and frequency.
Recognizing language patterns can help us become more mindful of our complaints.
Finding balance is key - venting is okay, but chronic negativity is damaging.
Practical ways to shift from unhelpful complaining to productive problem-solving.

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