Five Questions for a Personal Recon
Jeffery Binder recommends five questions for clinicians to “conduct a reconnaissance” in an area of a client’s life. I think of these questions in every counseling session I conduct. Writing them here is one more way for me to keep them clearly in mind… and I believe anyone who wants can use them in their own “recon” efforts. After substituting “my” for “the client’s”, here they are:
- What are “my” primary intentions and wishes toward significant others?
- What are “my” expectations concerning others’ reactions to my wishes or intentions?
- How do “I” perceive the actions and intentions of others?
- How do “my” actions, based on my expectations and interpretations of others, tend to evoke in others behavior that reinforces my negative expectations?
- How do “my” expectations and perceptions of others influence how I view and treat myself?
Trying these questions on “yourself” may seem like jumping into the middle of something, yet I believe any of us can benefit from building the skill of self-reflection. Give it a try!