Figure 3.1: Beliefs about self
2. State the outcome in sensory-based terms.
The more realistic their story of the future behavior, the more likely it is to happen. Have the PWS envisage their outcome in terms of a movie in which they can see themselves speaking fluently in a number of situations which in the past were problematic.
What sequence of steps or stages is involved in reaching this outcome?
How will you break your outcome down into small enough chunks so that each is do-able?
How will you know that you have achieved your outcome? What will you see, hear and feel when you have it?
3. State the outcome in a way that you find compelling.
People only achieve their goals when they are motivated, so find out the PWS’s level of motivation:
How compelling is your outcome?
You can tell from the way they talk about their outcome whether they are inspired or not. If they seem unenthusiastic, help them make their outcome more compelling by asking them:
What else needs to be there for you to really want this?
Make sure that they imagine getting their outcome in a dissociated fashion – they can see themselves in the movie.
4. Run a quality control check on the outcome to make sure it is appropriate.
Is the desired outcome right for you in all circumstances of your life?
Is your outcome appropriate in all your personal relationships?
What will having your outcome give you that you do not now have?
What will having your outcome cause you to lose?
Is your outcome achievable?
Does it respect your health, primary relationships, and so on?
Often when people set outcomes, they only focus on the positive gains of their desire, and fail to consider what they will inevitably lose. All change involves gains and losses, and these need to be thought about at an early stage, to avoid later “disappointments”. These four questions (Figure 3.2) cover all contingencies:
What will happen if you get your outcome?
What will happen if you do not get your outcome?
What will not happen if you get your outcome?
What will not happen if you do not get your outcome?
Does not happen Happens Get outcome What will not happen if you get your outcome? What will happen if you get your outcome? Not get outcome What will not happen if you do not get your outcome? What will happen if you do not get your outcome?
Figure 3.2: Cartesian contingencies
Run a quality check to make sure that your outcome fits every part. Ask, “Are there parts of me that objects to actualizing this desired outcome?” If so, address those concerns (see Exercise 5.2, step 7).
Pay attention to how your whole self responds to the question in terms of images, sounds, words, and sensations within you.
Considering the consequences …
I emailed a question to one of my clients who blocks: “What would happen if you didn’t have fear and anxiety about blocking?” My intention was to get him to consider some alternatives which would change his way of thinking about his blocking by considering alternatives. This client used his work to hide from facing himself and other people. One answer he gave was that he would have interests other than his work. In his email he also listed the following:
I would be confident.
I would be centered.
I would be an equal to others.
I would be more of a risk taker, more adventuresome.
I would be positive instead of cynical.
I would stop taking responsibility for other people’s actions, but still feel compassion for them.
I would feel the presence of God in my life on a consistent basis.
I would be joyful and loving.
I would know that however it turns out, it’s fine as long as I gave it my best effort.
I would be excited about lots of stuff.
I would give more time to those people who care and love me.
I would be non-judgmental and more understanding.
I would have close friends.
I would be accepting of myself without worrying what other people think or what they would do to me.
Wow! Look at all those outcomes which are inhibited by their fear and anxiety around stuttering. This typical response illustrates just how important it is to consider what has been put in the background because of some limiting perception and behavior.
5. Take personal control.
Next check that the PWS has an effective strategy for achieving their outcome.
Is achieving this within your power or ability to do?
What is the first step? Can you take this first step?
Are you able to deal with whatever happens during the process?
6. State the context of the outcome.
The PWS needs to identify which contexts are the problem ones. They may think of them in terms of the particular people or the kind of people they encounter, or it could be specific locations. They need to have their outcome generalized so that it will meet all possible situations in the future.
Where, when, how, and with whom, will you apply this outcome?
7. State the resources needed to achieve the outcome.
Resources can be states and strategies that allow for fluent speaking.
What resources will you need in order to get this outcome?
Who will you have to become?
Who else has achieved this outcome?
Have you ever had or done this before?
Do you know anyone who has?
8. Future pace – check that it works.
When the outcome has been stated to the PWS’s satisfaction, have them run the movie and see themselves in the future with that outcome already achieved. From observing this image or movie, consider:
How will you know that your outcome has been realized?
What will let you know that you have attained that desired state?
Are there any adjustments you would like to make to make this even better?
Foreground/background – qualities that make a powerful difference
This exercise has its foundation in Gestalt Psychology.
