Hello and happy Monday!
This is Susan Hyatt and it’s GO time. This is the 26th episode in a series of GO mp3s to wake you up on your Monday morning and get you going.
In this episode you’ll learn…
- What a “precap” is how you can start doing it now.
- My biggest wishes for 2016.
- One of my favorite coaching exercises to make 2016 your breakout year!
[smart_track_player url=”https://soundcloud.com/susanhyattgo/26-why-you-need-to-precap-your-2016-goals-dreams” ]
Want to read the full transcript? Here ya go:
My girlfriend and I have a term that we invented together:
“Precap.”
It’s when you “recap” something that hasn’t actually happened yet. A pre-emptive recap. A precap!
If I am getting ready for a big speaking gig, for example, and I’m feeling a little jittery, I might call up my friend to “precap” it.
She’ll ask, “So how did the speaking gig go?”
(Note: remember, it hasn’t actually happened yet. But we are both pretending that is has already happened, so I precap it by saying…)
“OMG it was amazing! I totally nailed it. Standing ovation. The organizer of the conference brought me a bouquet of roses afterwards and several people came up to inquire about my coaching programs and they enrolled on the spot. I was ON FIYAH! Best speaking gig EVER!”
Then my friend and I will giggle and she’ll tell me, “Seriously, though, Susan… you are going to rock it! I know it!”
I always walk away from those conversations feeling charged up and excited, ready to make my vision a reality, and feeling clearer about how to do it.
That’s the power of “precapping.”
When you visualize and describe something in detail—as if it has already happened—new pathways form in your brain, creating sensory memories and even muscle memories, making it easier for you to do whatever it is you’re hoping to do in “real life.”
This is why elite sports coaches will have athletes “visualize” kicking a soccer ball into the goal or slam-dunking a basket or bounding across the race finish line in first place. This is also why studies have shown that simply “imagining” that you are playing the piano will make you a better pianist that if you don’t do any visualization (aka, “mental rehearsal”) at all.
So as you’re figuring out your goals, dreams and plans for 2016, I invite you to do one of my favorite coaching exercises: precap it!
Here’s how:
Write a letter to a friend (you guys can take turns) and describe, in vivid detail, every amazing, glorious thing that happened to you in 2016. Share the highlight reel…
AS IF it has already happened. AS IF 2016 is already over.
You can date your letter “December 31, 2016.”
Here’s an example to show you what I mean…
December 31, 2016
Dear Frances,
Hey girl heyyyy. It’s Susan. Thanks for sharing some of the amazing things you’ve been up to, recently. You asked for a recap of my own life, as well. So here goes…
In short? 2016 has been fan-freaking-tastic. I can’t believe it’s December already!
Here’s a highlight reel of the past year…
My son Ryan is on track to graduate from high school with solid grades. He’s still obsessed with boxing and he’s training hard and totally excelling at it. He loves it. The rocky (ahem) “behavior issues” from last year are totally behind us now—he’s growing up into a caring, responsible young man and it’s a beautiful thing to see.
Emily loves her new school and she’s totally thriving as well. Her music training is amazing—it makes me so proud to see her do her thaaang onstage! My little feminist rockstar!
Professionally, this has been a breakthrough year for me. I earned dramatically more this year (aw yeah!) while keeping my expenses really lean. It’s been a long journey to break through to that 7 figure income level, as you know, and I am super proud. #BOSSLADY
My programs and retreats have been filling up with the most amazing clients—people who remind me, every day, why I love being a coach. I also finished writing my next book and I’ve got publishers battling for it! Yeah!
Personally, I’ve been savoring long runs, lots of yoga, spending time with my foxy husband and great friends (like you!), and allowing myself to be super playful and creative with my clothes, hair, throwing swanky dinner parties, things like that.
More than ever before, I feel like life is so precious and fleeting. I want to enjoy it while I can, make memories, and really LIVE, you know?
So that’s my year in a nutshell. 2016 was epic and I know 2017 is going to be completely delicious, too. Thanks for letting me recap everything! I adore you!
xo.
Susan
Now: your turn!
Write a letter or email to a friend and describe your AMAZING 2016 experiences… AS IF everything has already happened, for real.
Invite a friend to do the same thing. Exchange emails. Then hold each other accountable all year long. Nudge each other via text or schedule a weekly coffee date. (“Remember what you told me in your 2016 precap email? Hmmm? How’s that going? What do you need to do to make it happen? How can I support you?”)
This type of communication, gentle reminding, and accountability will make a huge difference for both of you.
Get started, sugarplum.
PRECAP YOUR YEAR!
You can write anything you want. Dream big. Make it delicious.
I am wishing you a year of tremendous success and satisfaction, on every level.
To the future!
It’s GO time!
P.S. If you want to subscribe to this podcast, simply open iTunes and go to File > Subscribe to Podcast.In the window that pops up, enter the URL of the podcast and click OK. The Go! Podcast url to copy and paste into the URL box: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/susan-hyatt/id1017505395?mt=2.
