MORE ON OUTCOMES
A useful way to start thinking about outcomes, following on from a previous article, is to think in terms of Present State, Desired State and Action.
Where we are now, our current state, is our Present State. Where we want to be is our Desired State. When these are the same, then we have what we want and we don’t need to change anything. Everything’s OK.
However, these two states are not always the same and we need to take action to change our present state into our desired state, but HOW? This is not easy to answer.
What we CAN do is to find answers by not focussing on the present ‘problem’ and what’s wrong but start concentrating on a desired ‘solution’ and what would be right for us.
Here’s a simple exercise to help you do this:
Take a sheet of paper, place it horizontally and divide it into 3 sections:
PRESENT STATE ACTION DESIRED STATE
Then, think of a situation in your life that you would like to change. To start with, it could be a small or medium-sized ‘problem’. Maybe something in your professional life.
Now, doodle a representation of this situation (your Present State) in the left hand column, maybe you can use different colours for this. It’s important to doodle because you will be able to go with your flow and connect with the unconscious mind, thus giving you very interesting insights. If you prefer, you can always draw something more consciously. It doesn’t matter so much.
Then, think of what you would like instead of your present situation.
Doodle (or draw) a representation of your Desired State in the right–hand column.
Now the important part… Doodle (or draw) something – anything you like – in the middle column which links what you have in the left and right columns. This will represent your Action.
Now, just sit for a while and look at your three doodles or drawings. What do you learn from them? In particular, concentrate on the Action in the middle column and what it might suggest to you.
Once you have done this, it will give you a valuable insight into how you can make that change which was blocked up somewhere in your mind to achieve what you really desire. You can apply this method to almost anything in your life. Take a few practice tries and see how it works for you. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Good luck!
Happy English learning!!
