Reflections on PX2 Programme

Having completed my first programme with good feedback, I think I am going to make the following changes for the next prgramme which begins in two weeks.

It was felt by the group that they would like to complete all the programme in one week. I really feel that sliting it is the beeter option so here is what I propose to do.

I plan to run the programme over two stages. The first stage will involve completing the first 8 sessions over 3 days.

The last last 4 sessions will be completed towards the middle of our young peoples 13 week life skills programme and this will allow them to focus in on getting their goals squared away setting plans in place and moving forward to achieve their goals in full.

I am going to at the start of the programme begin by introducing the px2 concepts, background to the pacific institute in uk and learning styles. I am alos going to encourage all participants to create a mood Avatar so they can plt where they are during the programme

I will let you know how it goes........wish me luck

The Truth about the Harvard Goals Research

After Years of searching I finally found out conclusive proof about the Research carried out in Harvard  around goal setting

Goals Research Summary

Perhaps you have heard of the Yale (or Harvard Business School) study of goals in which only 3% of the graduating class had specific written goals for their futures. Twenty years later that 3% was found to be earning an astounding 10 times that of the group that had no clear goals. Well, it turns out that this “study” is merely an “urban myth,” as extensive reviews of the research literature by me and by Steven Kraus (a social psychologist from Harvard) as well as investigative reporting by Fast Company magazine revealed that no such study had ever been done!

However, the widespread mention of this non-existent study in business circles as well as the need for research into the techniques used by business coaches provided impetus for my current research, which was focused on how goal achievement is influenced by writing goals, committing to goal-directed actions and being accountable for those actions.

Participants:

A total of 267 participants were recruited from businesses, organizations, and business networking groups. However, only 149 participants completed the study. The final participants ranged in age from 23 to 72, with 37 males and 112 females. Participants came from the United States, Belgium, England, India, Australia and Japan and included a variety of entrepreneurs, educators, healthcare professionals, artists, attorneys, bankers, marketers, human services providers, managers, vice presidents, directors of non-profits,etc.

Research Design:

Participants were randomly assigned to one of 5 conditions (groups): Group 1- Unwritten Goal; Group 2- Written Goal; Group 3- Written Goal & Action Commitments; Group 4-

Written Goal, Action Commitments to a Friend; Group 5- Written Goal, Action

Commitments & Progress Reports to a Friend.

o Participants in Group 1 were simply asked to think about their goals (what they

wanted to accomplish over the next 4 weeks) and then asked to rate that goal on

the following dimensions: Difficulty, Importance, the extent to which they had the

Skills & Resources to accomplish the goal, their Commitment and Motivation to

the goal, whether or not they had Pursued this goal before and if so their Prior

Success.

o Participants in Groups 2-5 were asked to write (type into the online survey)

their goals and then to rate their goals on the same dimensions.

o Group 3 was also asked to formulate action commitments.

o Group 4 was asked to formulate action commitments and send their goals and action commitments to a supportive friend.

o Group 5 was asked to formulate action commitments and send their goals,

action commitments and weekly progress reports to a supportive friend.

Participants in this group were also sent weekly reminders to email quick progress

reports to their friend. At the end of 4 weeks participants were asked to rate their progress and the degree to which they had accomplished their goals

Results

1. Types of goals: Participants pursued a variety of goals including (in order of

frequency reported) completing a project, increasing income, increasing

productivity, getting organized, enhancing performance/achievement, enhancing

life balance, reducing work anxiety and learning a new skill. Examples of

“completing a project” included writing a chapter of a book, updating a website,

listing and selling a house, completing a strategic plan, securing a contract, hiring

employees and preventing a hostile take-over.

2. Goal Achievement: Group 5 achieved significantly more than all the other

groups; Group 4 achieved significantly more than Groups 3 and 1; Group 2

achieved significantly more than Group 1.

Mean Goal Achievementts

3. Differences between all writing groups and the non-writing group: Although the

previous analysis revealed that Group 2 (written goals) achieved significantly more

than Group 1 (unwritten goals), additional analysis were performed to determine

whether there were also differences between the group that had not written their goals

(Group 1) and all groups that had written their goals (Groups 2-5).

This analysis revealed that the mean achievement score for Groups 2-5 combined

was significantly higher than Group 1.

Mean Goal Achievement

Conclusions:

1. The positive effect of accountability was supported: those who sent weekly

progress reports to their friend accomplished significantly more than those who

had unwritten goals, wrote their goals, formulated action commitments or sent

those action commitments to a friend.

2. There was support for the role of public commitment: those who sent their

commitments to a friend accomplished significantly more than those who wrote

action commitments or did not write their goals.

3. The positive effect of written goals was supported: Those who wrote their goals accomplished significantly more than those who did not write their goals.

With the proliferation of business and personal coaching and the often anecdotal reports of coaching success it is important that this growing profession be founded on sound scientific research.

· This study provides empirical evidence for the effectiveness of three

Coaching tools: accountability, commitment and writing down one’s

Goals.

· There now is a study demonstrating that writing one’s goal enhances

Goal achievement. However, it was not done at Harvard or Yale, but

At Dominican University.

50% achieved........yipee

Today we passed the 50% achieved mark in our first programme delivery.

I was joined today by my colleague Lynda who helped me to deliver and co-facilitate on units 5-6.

Some resistance was felt when we tackled the area of beliefs and postive v negative attitudes. Equally we found that following the completion of the units there was a slight shift in emphasis in the energy level and while some of our participant heads were buzzing there seemed to be more buy in from the group.

Thanks to Lynda for all her hard work her preparation her flexibility in delivery and form walking beside me and supporting our participants

We have reached base camp. We will rest reflect and consider the onward journey over the weekend.

Here's to more happy trails..........

IF I THINK WHAT I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT I WILL GET WHAT I HAVE ALWAYS GOT..........what needs to change ????????