Buzz
The ‘miracle question,’ a concept rooted in solution-focused brief therapy, aims to redirect your mindset from feelings of helplessness to recognizing actionable solutions and positive developments. Discover how it can transform your approach.
I initially encountered the ‘miracle question’ in Chip and Dan Heath’s book Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard. Since then, I’ve adapted it to various areas of my life, including fitness, to combat my all-or-nothing thinking. My fitness-focused version of the miracle question is as follows:
Picture this: while you’re asleep tonight, a miracle occurs, freeing you from the obsession of achieving an ideal weight (for instance). Since you were asleep, you’re unaware of this change. When you wake up, what subtle clue would make you realize something is different this morning?
Dismiss your initial response, which might be “I don’t know.” Instead, dig deeper to understand your true motivations for reaching that ideal weight, size, or physique. Writing freely about this can be incredibly helpful. For example, a small change might be, “I wake up with enough energy to engage in meaningful conversations with my family,” or “I no longer feel guilty about indulging in my favorite breakfast treats.”
The ‘miracle question’ isn’t designed to provide immediate solutions but instead helps uncover underlying motivations and potential obstacles tied to your goals. It encourages you to rethink how you perceive challenges or setbacks, allowing you to focus on progress rather than dwelling on what’s hindering you.
Image by nigelhowe.
