Did you know that we can apply elements of Motivational Interviewing to our own dilemmas?
Today we are exploring how to use OARS skills, the ‘microskills’ of Motivational Interviewing, with ourSELVES! Kinda cool! (Also, this email is loaded with freebies!)
This is the second in a series of 3 of using MI with ourselves. If you want to watch or read my first in this series on applying the spirit of Motivational Interviewing to yourself, check it out!
One thing I LOVE about being a trainer is how my understanding of Motivational Interviewing continues to expand and shift.
I learned this from a training participant in an advanced MI course recently. He shared that he used reflection practice with himself to sort out a dilemma. He simply wrote a statement, provided a reflection to his initial statement, then continued on.
Respond. Reflect. Respond. Reflect. Respond. Reflect.
Until lo and behold, he figured out what he needed to do.
I love how this speaks to the insight that we ALL have so much wisdom within us.
It just takes a little drawing out.
Feel like playing around? I made a handout for ya! It’s like a little journaling activity!
Motivational Interviewing Tip of the Week: Guess what? Just like your clients, there is wisdom within you. Give yourself a chance to check in with yourself. What would you choose to reflect to YOU if you stepped outside of yourself for a moment? What would you affirm?
Read below to see how I play with this OARS tool! (More detailed directions to accompany handout!)
- First, use an open ended question to elicit your dilemma. (Example, “I really need to get to bed earlier.”)
- Then, give yourself a reflection to your statement. (Example: “It’s really important to you to be more fully rested.”)
- Next, allow yourself to respond naturally to that reflection. (Example: “Yeah, I do want to be more rested. I am just dragging in the mornings, drinking too much caffeine to keep going, and by evening time I’m snapping at my girls something fierce, and that just never feels good.”)
- Offer yourself another Reflection: (Example: “You know that going to bed earlier would help you feel better overall.”)
Now we get to play around with Affirmations!
- What’s an Affirmation of a strength you can offer yourself? (Example: “You value being level headed with your kids, and you are willing to look at what it will take to show up for them.”)
- Next, a Summary: (Example: “You find yourself wishing you could get to bed earlier, because you know you would have better energy consistently throughout the day without so much caffeine. And, you would be more patient with your girls at bedtime, and that makes everyone happier. You are considering what you can do to help yourself get there.”)
- Lastly, one Open Ended Question: What do you think you need to do to support this change? (Example: “Well, to start with, I’m going to need to physically wear myself out a bit so I can get myself to bed earlier. My dog could sure use more walks, I can shoot for a longer after-work walk. Maybe that will help me be less irritable in the evenings. Then, I could try to set my alarm to prompt myself to get to bed earlier. And I’m definitely going to need to announce my intentions to my family, that will help.”)
Maybe you are ready to take another step toward this change! If you want my free Change Plan handout, check it out.
