Coaching is a powerful tool for individuals who are facing challenges and striving to reach their goals. However, clients often come to coaches unsure of how to navigate the process.
In this blog post, we will explore a powerful coaching method called "Help your Client Visualize a Goal." This method is inspired by Aristotle's philosophy, which states that every story starts with an introduction of characters and problems (beginning), then shows the characters trying to solve those problems (middle), and finally shows the results of her actions (end).
This method also utilizes the concept of "The Third Card", which acts as a bridge or stepping stone between the current situation and the goal. The Third Card represents the actions, steps, or changes in perspective that need to be taken in order to move from the current situation towards the goal.
Furthermore, this article shows how method can assist you in guiding your clients to find her own path forward.
Prepare a variety of image cards that can represent emotions and life situations in the context of your client. You can download high-quality images from websites like Unsplash or choose from collections such as 'World of Emotions', 'Positive Psychology', or 'Design Your Life' on metafox.eu.
Create a comfortable and safe space to help your client feel at ease sharing her thoughts and emotions. This could mean making the atmosphere warm and welcoming, using soft lighting and comfortable seating. It is also important to encourage your client to interpret the cards in her own way and express herself without fear of judgment or criticism.
Select about 25-40 cards and lay them out in front of your client to create a visual foundation for the method. This approach prompts her to think creatively and holistically about goals, motivation, challenges and ressources. It helps your client explore her emotions and thoughts more deeply.
To choose a card, ask your client to stay with an open mind and heart while picking a card. Ask your client to go with her gut and pick the cards that feels right.
You can shuffle the deck and let your client choose the first card that catches her eye, or pick one at random and trust that it's the right one for her. Often the interpretation is more important then the ‘perfect’ selection.
You can give your client a frame for her choice. This could mean the choice between a limited number of cards, limiting the time for the selection process or the number of cards that can be chosen. Many people prefer a very clear frame to know what is expected from them.
4. Build the timeline
Once all necessary cards are selected, let your client put them on the floor in one line. One end should be marked by the goal card, the client should stand in front of the other end. The rest of the cards lie in between in the chronological order in which the client expects the obstacle/resource to matter most, i.e. if the obstacle is coming up soon it should be closer to the starting point.
Finally let the client walk alongside the image path and let her stop at every card. Let you client feel at each step what the essence of the obstacle/resource means to her and ask if they fully grasp it. If not let her dig deeper and support her to understand, which meaning and consequences lie in each card. Only if they have a clear emotional connection to the underlying meaning, let her go to the next card. Once the client reaches the goal card let her look back on the journey, review the images. This will help your client to start the journey now - with the end in mind. Guiding questions can be:
Variation: Reflecting the past for more resources
Provide space for self-reflection and let your client take a moment to think about her route in life so far. You can use the same exercise to build up a route from a certain point in the past up to the present moment. This often helps with the understanding that the client has already mastered great challenges, reached goals and has plenty of resources. Guiding questions can be:
After the session, take some time to debrief. Let your client talk about how she experienced the exercise. Discuss how the chosen images align with her current situation, goal, resources and obstacles. Reflect on the emotions invoked during the process and any new insights gained.
Let your client take all the cards she selected and let her write down the important reflections she had on the backside. Then gift them to her to put up on a wall in her home. This will anchor the experience physically in the space she lives in and will help her to stay on the track towards her goal.
By utilizing visualization techniques and incorporating visual aids such as pictures, you can help your clients gain clarity and plan the steps to achieve their goals and anchor the experience emotionally. This approach fosters creative thinking and keeps your clients engaged in the coaching process.
Remember, coaching is about guiding, not dictating. By helping clients find their own path, you enable them to take ownership of their growth and create sustainable success. Ready to transform your coaching sessions and empower your clients to visualize and achieve their goals? Try implementing this method in your next session together with metaFox coaching tools!
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