1. Focus on the Positive
Begin by shifting attention away from what’s missing — and toward what’s already working.
Identify your strengths, existing resources, and collaboration opportunities.
Ask yourself:
“What am I doing right that I can build on?”
“Who or what could support me in moving forward?”
This focus on assets, not deficits, activates creativity and solution-oriented thinking — the foundation of coaching work.
2. Explore Possibilities Within the Solutions
Use scaling questions to visualize progress and measure readiness for change:
“What would help me move one step forward — say, from 3 to 4 — on my clarity scale?”
“I think I’ve already started solving this issue. What should I do differently next?”
Scaling makes growth tangible and encourages micro-steps — practical, visible progress without pressure.
3. Define the Desired Outcome
Ask yourself a series of systemic coaching questions to uncover direction and purpose:
- “What exactly do I want in this situation?”
- “What’s my higher intention behind this goal?”
- “What would the best possible outcome look like?”
- “What must I change to reach that outcome?”
Then, visualize it vividly — imagine that you’ve already achieved the result.
Feel the emotions that come with success. This emotional rehearsal strengthens commitment and motivation.
4. Walk into the Future
Now, imagine yourself in the future, where your goal has already been achieved.
Turn around mentally and look back — what steps did you take to get there?
Which of them were the most valuable or decisive?
This “future walk” helps reveal the sequence of actions and insights that lead to real change.
5. Test and Refine Your Solutions
Zoom in — as if using a variable-focus lens — and examine your vision in detail.
Break it down into micro-elements: what exactly happens at each stage, who is involved, what resources are required?
If something feels unclear, go back to your vision and look again — new options will often appear at this level of attention.
Stay open to alternative routes and creative detours.
6. Evaluate Effectiveness
Finally, test your ideas for feasibility and impact.
Use a hypothetical effectiveness scale:
“How likely is it that this step will work (from 1 to 10)?”
“What would increase this score by one point?”
Weigh your options, compare outcomes, and refine until you find the path that feels realistic, energizing, and effective.
🗝 In essence:
Solution-focused coaching is not about solving problems — it’s about building what works.
You’re not escaping difficulties; you’re expanding your field of possibilities.