Mark Allen's Goal Setting Method

Mark Allen’s Goal-Setting Method

THE MARK ALLEN METHOD

Who It’s For and What It’s Best Suited To

If your goals cannot yet be formulated clearly and precisely, use Mark Allen’s method. This technique is ideal for those who rely more on feelings than on numbers and who wish to develop a long-term plan of action.

Essence of the Method

Mark Allen’s method begins with creating a personal concept of success. It requires you to compose a detailed description of your ideal self and the environment surrounding you in that perfect future. To construct such a description, you need to vividly and thoroughly depict every element that makes you happy.

Revisit and refine this description until you obtain a one-page version that fully satisfies you.

Thus, the Mark Allen Method focuses less on achieving a specific goal and more on transforming your self-image. Particular attention should therefore be paid to self-development and personal growth.

— Describe your ideal life in detail;

— Reduce the description to one page;

— Rewrite it several times until you are certain that it truly reflects the life of your dreams.

When your self-image description meets these criteria, proceed to work with it:

Analyze the concept and identify the areas of your life you would like to improve.

Determine which areas require change and develop an annual plan to address them.

Then, break this plan down by month.

For the upcoming month, create a weekly plan — this will make it easier to achieve the desired results.

Identify what aspects of your current lifestyle you can change immediately to bring yourself closer to your vision — start from there.

Formulate what exactly needs improvement and write these objectives as positive affirmations. For example: “I earn 100,000 rubles per month.” According to Mark Allen’s method, 7–10 primary goals are sufficient.

Key Features

Clearly formulate your goals. Choose simple, concise, and understandable words to describe them — ideally 7 to 10 main goals. In this way, your goal may become an “idea fixe,” as the author refers to it. Constantly think about achieving your goal, and you will reach it.

Write down your “idea fixe” on slips of paper and post them throughout your home or workspace. Whether you leave the house or engage in other activities, always keep your goal in sight. It must be formulated properly, with the right intonation, emphasizing its importance and fostering focus and concentration. The author strongly discourages becoming overly attached to the final result or excessively analyzing your current situation in specific areas.

Since achieving the goal involves transforming your present self into your ideal self, you should devote special attention not only to professional and theoretical self-improvement, but also — and equally — to building that ideal image of yourself.

For example, focus on developing self-confidence and creativity, learning to defend your views in public, and deriving positive emotions from your performance. Review your plan and add goals with the right formulations (“I am confident,” “I think creatively,” “I love my audience”), then structure them using the same approach as your other objectives.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT METHOD

If you enjoy measuring everything, delving deeply into processes, and striving for success in learning and self-development, explore Locke and Latham’s method.

For comprehensive planning of financial and professional goals with maximum focus on outcomes, try Brian Tracy’s method.

If you struggle to articulate your goals but wish to create a vision of your future self, pay attention to Mark Allen’s approach.