How to Coach Yourself and Others Popular Models for Coaching | Page 225

Underlying Principles  In every human system, something works.  What we focus on, and the language we use, becomes our reality.  Reality is created in the moment and there are multiple realities. It is important to value differences.  The act of asking questions influences the group in some way.  People have more confidence & comfort to move to an unknown future when they carry forward parts of the past.  What we carry forward should be what is best about the past. "Provocative Propositions" As part of the "Dream" stage, we take the best of what currently happens and determine the circumstances that made that possible. We then write one or more "provocative propositions" which describe the idealised future in which the best happens all the time, and serve as a reminder to focus on it. Examples: We anticipate the customer's needs and we are continually learning about what they want. My coaching practice is full and growing through word-of mouth recommendation. Checklist for determining a provocative proposition:     Is it provocative? Does it stretch, challenge or innovate? Is it developed from real-life examples? Do people feel passionate enough about it to defend it? Is it stated in bold, positive terms and in the present tense? Provocative propositions resemble answers to the 'miracle question' in Solution-Focused Therapy – except that they are 227