Envisioning Success: How Coaching Helps You Scale Up Your Life Goals
- johnvcarnes
- May 16, 2024
- 3 min read

Imagine waking up tomorrow to find that your biggest dream has become a reality. How would you feel? What would your life look like?
This might seem like a far-fetched idea, but in the world of coaching, we call this the "Miracle Scale" – a powerful tool that helps you envision success and take concrete steps towards achieving your goals.
In his book "Instant Influence," Michael V. Pantalon introduces the Miracle Scale as a way to measure your readiness for change. By picturing your ideal future and assessing where you currently stand on a scale of 1 to 10, you can gain clarity on what's holding you back and what steps you need to take to move forward.
As a coach, I've seen the transformative effects of the Miracle Scale firsthand. When my clients use this technique to visualize their goals, something magical happens. The abstract becomes concrete, and the seemingly impossible feels within reach. It's like having a crystal-clear roadmap to success, with each step illuminated by the power of your own imagination.
Take my client, JC, for example. When he first came to me, he was struggling with public speaking anxiety. The thought of presenting in front of a large audience made him break out in a cold sweat accompanied by a belly of butterflies! But as we worked through the Miracle Scale exercise, JC began to see himself in a new light. Another way of looking at this and another coaching tool used is envisioning your "future self". These tools are similar and I experienced the power of them myself when I hired a coach and achieved breakout performance.
He pictured himself on stage, delivering a powerful message with confidence and ease. He saw the audience leaning in, hanging on his every word. And as he described this vision to me, I could see a shift in his energy. His fear began to melt away, replaced by a sense of excitement and possibility.
Together, we used the Miracle Scale to break down John's goal into manageable steps. We identified that moving from a 3 to a 4 on the scale might involve joining a local speaking club to practice in a supportive environment. Moving from a 4 to a 5 could mean volunteering to give a short presentation at work. And so on, until John felt ready to tackle his ultimate goal of delivering a keynote speech at a major conference.
The beauty of the Miracle Scale is that it meets you where you are and helps you chart a course to where you want to be. It's not about making giant leaps or overnight transformations. It's about taking one small, achievable step at a time, with each step building on the momentum of the last.

So, how can you start using the Miracle Scale in your own life? Begin by asking yourself these powerful questions:
If you woke up tomorrow and found that your goal had been achieved, what would be different?
Where do you see yourself on the Miracle Scale right now regarding this goal?
What would it take to move you one step up on the scale?
Can you identify what might be holding you back from progressing to the next level?
What small, practical step could you take today toward your miracle?
How does visualizing your success change your perspective on the challenges you face?
What resources or support do you feel you need to help you climb to the next level on your scale?
As you reflect on these questions, remember that every journey begins with a single step. With the Miracle Scale as your guide, you have the power to turn your dreams into reality, one level at a time.
If you're ready to take your goal-setting to the next level, I invite you to schedule a complimentary coaching session with me at SPRKcoaching.com. Together, we'll use the Miracle Scale to map out your path to success and identify the action steps that will get you there.
Remember, your miracle is waiting for you. All you have to do is take the first step.




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