2006 A Different Solution – The change you need to have
By Colleen Gray Director of the Centre of Effective
Therapy Cairns and Ways Forward
I recently met with some students, who described how they
were enjoying learning about and being immersed in solution
oriented approaches. They described their new learning as a
more effective way of solving issues and making decision
than that of identifying and getting stuck in problems. They
were delighting in the changes they were experiencing, and
were especially enjoying the reaction of other people who
were noticing and responding to the increase in their
confidence and self assurance, which was becoming more
evident in their personal and professional relationships.
Our conversation drifted to how their learning would
provide a solid foundation for future successes in 2006. The
reflective space of our conversation allowed some
realisations to bubble up, e.g. discovering some
achievements which had gone unnoticed and facilitating a
safe space to air personal uncertainties that had remained
unspoken and unresolved.
The emphasis on moving forward and acknowledging what was
working, changed the emotions and mood, and reinforced a
sense of confidence about knowing they had the ability to
face the coming year and were clear about their aspirations.
Acknowledging, valuing and honouring one’s achievements
and personal strivings can produce a sense of gratitude and
a wiser perspective on how to be in the present and how to
plan for the future. So I am pleased to offer you the
exercise we went through on that day, as an opportunity for
you to review your past year, observe how you are traveling
in the present and consider ways to negotiate the coming
year with a renewed sense of wisdom and gratitude.
An Exercise of Reflection
Congratulations on surviving 2005, and being
willing to discover something new as you engage
in doing this exercise in 2006. Please feel free
to make any change to these exercises to ensure
they are useful, and remember there is no right
way to answer the questions.
1. Cast your mind over the past year and
reflect on what significant or memorable
successes and accomplishments come to mind?
- Take some time to think about them,
and observe what happened in a way that
you haven’t done before or had the time
to do.
2. As you observe these events, what are
noticing about what you did, how you did it,
and how you have survived?
- What personal wisdom, competence,
strengths and skills are evident in
these situations, and what are you most
pleased with?
3. As you enter the emotion of knowing
what worked, what lingering concerns from
2005 have gone or are ready to be left
behind?
- As you feel the lighter load what
else are you noticing?
4. What are you learning and discovering
in this moment?
- Take all the time you need to be
clearer about what the next steps you
will continue to take will be.
5. Now that you have done this exercise,
what is your action plan for 2006?
- What is different, clearer, more
confident and easier now?
|
Over the years I continue to be pleasantly amazed and
surprised at how people have the strengths and resources to
do more of what they want to do or access the help they need
to get there or achieve it. Having conversations which focus
on solutions helps us to get unstuck from old problem
patterns and ways of behaving, and has the power to change
the way one approaches and considers the future pathways.
|
What do you think?
