What if…?
Positive Psychology is a broad discipline working at many levels. Part of it is concerned with positive experiences; positive emotions, wellbeing and happiness. However, at a deeper level, it is more concerned with how to live well; with courage, resilience, awareness of your values and strengths and the capacity to change. At an organisational or community level it is concerned with good communication, appreciative enquiry, positive interactions and tolerance. So, it has a very broad scope and provides much to inform a coaching practice at all of those levels.
If, for example, a client feels the need, urge or necessity to change something in their life or career, there are certain coaching questions that could form part of the conversation which may allow a coach to use positive psychology to explore those. Here are some such questions:
What is it that you want to move towards? Without placing restrictions on yourself, allow yourself to dream - what would be your ideal scenario? If you were on a boat, moving towards an island that had your perfect life on it - what would that look like? (Let’s call it your ‘island life’).
If you were living as you wish, what would that life involve for you? What opportunities do you have to move in that direction?
What if this journey worked out exactly as you wished? How would you feel?
Think about where you are now and consider what skills you have already acquired, what you have already achieved. Consider a record of achievement including how you have overcome problems, challenges and the unexpected. How did that make you stronger? What has it added?
What is it that you can identify as stopping you from moving towards your ‘island life?’ If it is fear, consider how you can sit with that fear without judgement, acknowledge its presence but reduce its importance and power.
How does your ‘island life’ fit with your current life and plans?
Explore your core values. Does the dream fit with what really makes up your core?
Consider how another person might handle your situation. What might they do differently and why?
Can you identify your source of motivation? Where does your drive or excitement come from?
What excites you about your island life and what does your intuition say about it?
By working with your values and motivation as well as recognising your negative emotions; you can bring this awareness into your planning.
Book a no obligation free call to discuss how I could help you with this type of conversation.
nicola@learntothrive.co.uk
07918 665656