In everyday speech, an outcome is a consequence arising from an action, or alternatively a goal one wishes (or hopes) to achieve.

A Well-formed outcome is a term originating in neuro-linguistic programming for an outcome one wishes to achieve, that meets certain conditions designed to avoid (1) unintended costs or consequences and (2) resistance to achieving the goal resulting from internal conflicting feelings or thoughts about the outcome.

Thus, a high quality outcome is more than a vague wish or goal. It is an objective or goal which is integrated with all aspects of one’s life (morals, ethics, relationships, finances, health, body, etc.) and has a process of accomplishment that respects and supports the current desirable circumstances in one’s life.

A high quality outcome is (in a sense) consistent with forward-thinking action as well, or alternatively have been clearly and well enough defined to be prima facie free of common “muddy thinking”.

By applying all of the well-formedness conditions to a goal or outcome, and adjusting the outcome specifications accordingly in the process, you create a Well-formed outcome.

Goals and outcomes

In NLP, a general distinction is made between goals and outcomes. A goal is a lay-term, and is often lacking in the precision and cognitive clarity needed to be acted upon. For example:

• I want to be loved
  (by whom? How much?)
• I want to be happy
  (”happiness” is a process and its not clear what the speaker means by the term in their own world, nor what kind of happiness, nor how they expect it to be maintained)
• I don’t want that!
  (NLP states that the brain cognitively processes in terms of positives not negatives, and that cognitively this “goal” is akin to asking for a plane ticket to “not here”. It’s unclear what is wanted instead)
• I don’t want them to do that
  (not only tends to block thinking what is wanted instead, but may be vague as to exactly whom and what the subjects are, and what it is that they are perceived as “doing” that’s objectionable)

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Well Formed Outcomes. Posted By: Franco Yong