There are many times in life when we are faced by practical questions – such as what do to in a certain situation. When planning ahead or making a decision, it can then be useful:
To clarify the specific practical question;
To clarify the possible ways forward;
To clarify the route you want to take to, as far as possible, get the desired positive results.
Sometimes these can be simple questions. Sometimes these may involve matters of life or death. Let’s explore some of the possible ways forward in such situations.
The Practical Question
There are many practical questions we face in life. As mentioned earlier, some of these can be relatively simple. Some may be more complex and require a certain period of reflection.
Different people will face different kinds of questions. Here are some of the many practical questions that a person or a couple may face in their lives and work.
There are, of course, many other questions a person or a couple may face. For example:
How to respond to warning signs in our lives or work; How to take care of our parents as they get older; How to set aside money for our own later years; How manage other potential opportunities and challenges.
Imagine that you want to focus on a practical question in your own life and work. If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to do the following things.
First, describe the specific practical question you would like to explore;
Second, describe some of the background to this question. Such as: a) the specific situation; b) the possible opportunities in the situation; c) the possible challenges in the situation.
Here is the exercise on this theme. It invites you to explore a particular situation in your personal or professional life.
The Possible Ways Forward
Imagine that you have clarified the practical question you want to explore. Bearing this in mind, one approach is to go through the follow steps.
First, you can start by exploring all the possible ways going forward. Dare to brainstorm all the potential options. If possible, do this without being judgemental or worrying about how to implement them.
Second, you can then clarify the pluses and minuses of each option. Again, try to do this without being judgemental or worrying about how to implement them.
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
The Positive Results
Imagine that you have the clarified: a) the practical question you want to explore; b) the possible options going forwards together with the pluses and minuses of each option.
Bearing these things in mind, you may want to buy time to think. When doing so, it can sometimes be useful to explore the following questions.
What is the practical question I want to explore? Bearing in mind what I can control in the situation, what are the real results I want to achieve? What are – as far as possible – the positive results I want to achieve?
What are the practical results I want to achieve? What are the emotional results I want to achieve? Are there any other kinds of results I want to achieve?
Looking ahead, what are the possible options going forwards? Looking at these, what is the option – or combination of options – that offers the greatest chance of achieving the desired positive results?
Imagine that you have explored these themes. If possible, then give yourself time to reflect and, when appropriate, consider other options before committing to a way forward.
(The reflection time can be particularly important if there are other people involved in making the decision. For example, if you are part of a couple who are exploring a specific situation.)
As mentioned earlier, there are many times in life when we are faced by practical questions. Sometimes these are relatively simple. Sometimes they are more complex and take time to resolve.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Imagine that you have chosen: a) to focus on a specific practical question; b) to explore the possible ways forward; c) to explore the pluses and minuses of each option.
Looking ahead, you may now want to move into action. Bearing in mind the practical question you explored, you may now aim:
To describe the specific route – or combination of routes – you want to follow;
To describe the specific things you can do to follow this route and do your best to, as far as possible, get the desired positive results.
If you wish, try tackling the final exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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