How to Coach Yourself and Others Techniques For Coaching | Page 447

6. Tell Stories with embedded commands
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We were …., and suddenly my friend says : “We are going to ……”
I read an article / book / watched a movie / saw on TV …
So, this guy said to her: “I want you to …”
Meanwhile, they arrived at the cabin. Now, imagine, …
It was like … (+ because + feeling) … Now, with me …
you know …

Notice : the first part of the phrase is in the past tense, the embedded
command is in the present tense!
Telling stories is like painting (mental) pictures with words. Stories are
so great to stimulate someone’s imagination. Because you are talking
about fictive experiences or about other people’s experiences, he will
be less critical and feel more free in his interpretation of your words.
Almost instinctively, the listener will connect to the situation and feel
the emoti