Identifying Goal Imprinting

Imprinting around goals confuses our ability to act with integrity and consistency. When we are imprinted to be a goal that we are not, this creates a pattern that when we are stressed out, overwhelmed or feel as if we are in survival, we imitate or copy our parents’ pattern when they were in the same state. This is the way that many people end up behaving like their parents without realizing it. In fact, many of the patterns which we are imprinted to perform we hate, not only because it reminds us of our parents and how we were compromised, but because the pattern itself is not in alignment with our true nature or WorldView. The way to identify our imprinting is found in the beliefs we hold and the ways we operate under stress. We will go over the seven different goals and discuss how we can identify our own patterns and recognize these patterns in others.

Re-evaluation Imprinting

Our behavior can be bewildering to particularly to others with a natural goal of Re-Evaluation. When we have Re-Evaluation imprinting we will withdraw if others do not act in conformance with our expectations or schedule. Ironically, we close ourselves down more than is needed in order to make sure that we are not going to be overwhelmed. Our need to be seen as independent can be undermined greatly by unrequested sympathy or pity. Anyone attempting to support us in ways that they normally would likely be repudiated. Re-evaluation imprinting is identified by feeling that we need to limit the scope of our activities so that we can manage them better. The imprinting itself can bring more caution and consideration to new projects but it is not anywhere as intense or with the same degree of impact as the person who is in re-evaluation as a full goal. The belief that these imprinted individuals hold is that they need to “focus, prioritize and eliminate the uncertain.”

Growth Imprinting

Our behavior can be seen as intrusive, set in our ways, and too focused on external validation, particularly by individuals with a natural goal of Growth. With Growth imprinting our experiences are paradoxical because we are fearful that things will not be done quickly enough and yet we tend to hold back when things are too complex. This appears to others as being perpetually confused or overwhelmed by what is going on around us. When others make things appear simple or easy this invalidates us and our beliefs about the reality of the situation. We can validate that we have Growth Imprinting by how much we need to be seen as being busy. Growth imprinting is also identified as a desire to focus on external activities without the commitment to actually do so. Individuals that have growth as a primary goal externalize their focus and see progress in the form of external goals being completed. Growth imprinted individuals tend to look towards external goals but do not actually push themselves to define their value in terms of the goal they have completed. They can be recognized by their belief that they “should take on whatever is presented to them,” assuming that it is something they want to do.

Discrimination Imprinting

Our behavior can be seen as rejecting, judgmental and snobbish, particularly by individuals with a natural goal of Discrimination. With Discrimination imprinting we accentuate our exclusivity because we believe we need to shock people into taking on new perspectives. The primary fear we are operating from is a desire not to be excluded, which means we tend to see ourselves as the elite. The more we need to be seen as special the easier it is for others to resist our opinions and deny our suggestions. Discrimination imprinting shows up as being selective, careful and determined to be seen as making the right choices. Those in actual discrimination are more inclined to do their selectiveness in a positive manner and end up refining the choices they make, but not eliminating them. Imprinted individuals, on the other hand, typically have to be seen as doing the right thing and are committed to the process of quickly and superficially eliminating all those variables that do not live up to their standard. The belief that they have that can be identified by others is that they have to be right (leading into a discussion of the reasons they are right).

Acceptance Imprinting

Our behavior seems to be ingratiating and insincere, particularly to those with a natural goal of Acceptance. Acceptance imprinting drives us to get the agreement of others at any cost. Ironically, we tend to seek out the opinions of others and then not follow them. This makes us appear more needy. If people react to this appearance of neediness, this is likely to compromise our connection with this individual. What is required is to accept them as they are and to see them as a normal, average person no matter what occurs. Acceptance imprinted individuals care tremendously about making others happy. When we do acceptance at a primary level, we end up caring more about what others think about us. Acceptance imprinting is more an internal state where we are checking all the time to see if others are happy around us. The belief that others have is that there is a perfect way for them to be so that others “will be happy around them.”

Submission Imprinting

Our behavior can seem as helpless and dependent particularly by others with a natural goal of Submission. When we are imprinted to be Submissive we feel compromised by our circumstances and are unable to do the ‘right thing.’ In some situations the right thing changes so much that we cannot feel really committed to the higher possibilities. This creates a lack of focus and direction, which individuals who are naturally in a goal of Submission experience in a positive way. What others need to know is that individuals with Submission Imprinting cannot be made wrong or judged for their martyr approach without severe consequences. What we want others to perceive is that we are doing things for the good of all. Submission imprinted individuals want others to define what needs to be done. They like to be followers for when it is imprinting there is not even the focus on the higher way of doing something or the best way to accomplish something, given to what they are devoted. Instead, the focus is on conforming or believing that we have to play by the rules. The belief that submission imprinted individuals hold on to is “I must follow.”

Dominance Imprinting

Our behavior can be seen as demanding, pushy and insensitive particularly by others who have a natural goal of Dominance. When we are imprinted with Dominance we need others to conform to our intentions or expectations to feel capable or powerful. Any doubt others may have is seen as a negative reflection on our abilities. If another wants to make the connection, they cannot challenge us in any way, or prove us wrong. Dominance imprinted individuals are focused on making things happen so that others will see and accept their power. Dominance imprinting is different from actual dominance in that individuals that have a primary goal of dominance do not care as much how others see their power, while those who are imprinted to be dominant care more about others’ acknowledging their power. The belief that imprinted dominant individuals have is the internal state that they “must be in charge.”

Relaxation Imprinting

Our behavior can be seen as noncommittal and judged as lazy and indifferent particularly by others who have a natural goal of Relaxation. When we are Relaxation imprinted we tend to believe that things should work out but they never seem to. Even the judgments of others cannot move us forward if it does not seem to be in our interest. What we seek to avoid the most is compromise by others ideas of what we should do. Others could also believe that we do not or will not listen to what they are saying. In truth, we hear everything but do not feel compelled to respond. Relaxation imprinted individuals believe that everything should naturally work out without much of their attention. This is different in the degree of commitment from individuals in full relaxation who believe the world owes them a living. Imprinted relaxation individuals tend to let others set the stage where they can respond in a way that helps them to get their needs met. Even imprinted individuals in relaxation do not operate with certainty or power but rather bounce from thing to thing to fit their mood and interest in the moment. Individuals with this imprint believe “who, me worry?”