I am talking to a new and younger woman who has joined the women- only boot camp that I attend three times a week. The core group of the boot camp is comprised of women that see exercise and staying fit as a no-brainer for not only good health and longevity, but a fantastic opportunity to hang out with a really cool group of gals. We know that most women that come to check the group out will not stay… it is boot camp after all and it is hard work!
As we are having a conversation she mentions that she wants to lose weight and this is her main goal for joining the group. I ask her if I can give her some "advice” and she says yes. I tell her that she is going at it the “wrong” way… (I am paraphrasing here; I trust I had more tact when talking with her :) ). Instead of having as her goal (and motivation) being to lose weight, she needs to frame her goal/motivation with a constructional approach in mind.
Goldiamond defines the Constructional approach as… An orientation whose solution to problems is the construction of repertoires (or their reinstatement or transfer to a new situation) rather than the elimination of repertoires. http://ojs-prodlib.cc.uic.edu/ojs/index.php/bsi/article/viewFile/92/117
In essence when we engage in constructional thinking - be it problem solving or/and goal setting - we are focused on the goals, what is available at the moment to us (or to the animal) so that we can come up with a plan on how to get “there”.
You see, when someone says: I want to lose weight… it appears as if the person has a goal in mind but in reality the focus is on the lack of a slim figure, better health, bad nutrition, etc.
Whenever I am called to “resolve a problem” - mainly this is what I do in my fun professional life, I followed with the questions:
What is your dog doing now that you don’t like, are concerned about etc.)? AND…
What would you like your dog to do instead?
The second part of this equation will lead us to find some solutions to the problem(s)!
In addition, it is imperative for me that within the solution I take into consideration not only the goals my client has for his/her dog but also the welfare of the dog within the new goals. In other words, the dog must also get something of what it wants (what he/she considers reinforcing) as a result of these changes.
And then… the fun and creative process begins. We begin to explore the steps needed: the behaviors and coping mechanisms the dog can perform as well as the ones the dog will need to learn in order to reach some specific criteria – goals.
What I love about this approach is that it is not only is it hopeful and that we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, but that it produces attainable goals. This is because we are taking as a point of departure something that is already in place and setting the foundation for future learning and change.
As we are having a conversation she mentions that she wants to lose weight and this is her main goal for joining the group. I ask her if I can give her some "advice” and she says yes. I tell her that she is going at it the “wrong” way… (I am paraphrasing here; I trust I had more tact when talking with her :) ). Instead of having as her goal (and motivation) being to lose weight, she needs to frame her goal/motivation with a constructional approach in mind.
Goldiamond defines the Constructional approach as… An orientation whose solution to problems is the construction of repertoires (or their reinstatement or transfer to a new situation) rather than the elimination of repertoires. http://ojs-prodlib.cc.uic.edu/ojs/index.php/bsi/article/viewFile/92/117
In essence when we engage in constructional thinking - be it problem solving or/and goal setting - we are focused on the goals, what is available at the moment to us (or to the animal) so that we can come up with a plan on how to get “there”.
You see, when someone says: I want to lose weight… it appears as if the person has a goal in mind but in reality the focus is on the lack of a slim figure, better health, bad nutrition, etc.
The person is focused on the problem instead of the solution:
The questions that we need to be asking are more on the lines of…
- Where do I want to go? I.e.: the behaviors we need to establish to achieve the goal.
- Where am I now? Assess current “usable” behavior (s).
- What steps do I need to take? Concrete actions that will lead to the “destination”.
- How will I remain moving forward/motivated? (Maintained consequences)
Whenever I am called to “resolve a problem” - mainly this is what I do in my fun professional life, I followed with the questions:
What is your dog doing now that you don’t like, are concerned about etc.)? AND…
What would you like your dog to do instead?
The second part of this equation will lead us to find some solutions to the problem(s)!
In addition, it is imperative for me that within the solution I take into consideration not only the goals my client has for his/her dog but also the welfare of the dog within the new goals. In other words, the dog must also get something of what it wants (what he/she considers reinforcing) as a result of these changes.
And then… the fun and creative process begins. We begin to explore the steps needed: the behaviors and coping mechanisms the dog can perform as well as the ones the dog will need to learn in order to reach some specific criteria – goals.
What I love about this approach is that it is not only is it hopeful and that we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, but that it produces attainable goals. This is because we are taking as a point of departure something that is already in place and setting the foundation for future learning and change.
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