Solution Focused Vision

Imagine walking into school this week with X-ray vision, not to spot what's wrong, but to see what’s strong.

This week, I’ve created a new idea for you to try out: Solution Focused Vision! It is a way of seeing students, parents, teachers, even staff, that helps us move past the outer layers of stress, resistance, or frustration and search for a spark of possibility.

It’s not about ignoring challenges. It’s about noticing what’s possible.

Problems and their descriptions are interesting, true, but they can blind us, keeping our school clients stuck. But fighting the urge to figure things out and instead, noticing something quite obvious, we develop another description that can pave the way to success.

This is a bit tough to conceptualize when you have so much going on, so I am going to give you some examples!

When a fellow teacher seems burned out
Instead of thinking...
“She’s so negative lately…”

Try thinking...
“It means a lot to her to come in and talk to me…she wants things to change and that means she is just disappointed that her students are not succeeding like she wants. That, is admirable."

Then, say something like...
“It’s inspiring to see someone like you so determined to do things well. Your students are lucky. Let’s talk about a time when things were better in your classroom and how you helped that to happen.”

When a parent comes in angry
Instead of thinking...
“They’re always complaining…”

Try thinking...
“This parent showed up. What does this parent really want for their child?”

Then, respond with something like...
“I can tell how much you care about your child’s experience. That kind of commitment makes such a difference. Your child is lucky to have you on their side. Tell me what might we do together so you feel better when you leave today?”

When a student is shutting down again
Instead of thinking...
“He’s lazy and doesn’t care…”

Think to yourself...
“There is more to his story. I wonder about times when hedid care and was motivated.”

Then try this...
“Tell me who you really are. What are the things you wish your teachers knew about you?I want to know about times at school or even outside of school when things go better for you.”

When YOU feel discouraged
Instead of thinking...
“I can’t do all of this…”

Realize that...
You get upset because you truly want to make a difference. Problem thinking is robbing you of those times when you were awesome!

Then remind yourself...
“I have had better days when I felt I was succeeding.”
Then, come up with three times that happened in the past two weeks. Try doing one of thoseas an experiment, just for today.

One of your SF Connection colleagues, Jennifer Thomas, in Waco, Texas, decorated her office with phrases and sentences to remind her of what to say when things get heavy. She inspired me to give you some phrases this week. Click here to download, then print out, cut it up and stick them in your office in various places.

The solution force will be with you this week. Use the solution focused vision.

See you Wednesday for SF Connection - register here!

Linda

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UhjdqPVzUX_eO2kb61eFV7CdDvD-KB7h/edit