Creating a ‘preferred future’

A ‘preferred future’ is the solution-focused term for a description of the way we would like things to be. It describes the situation that will exist when our goals or outcomes are achieved. When we are dealing with a ‘problem’, it describes the problem free future that we will experience when the difficulty is resolved.

Staff may build a ‘preferred future’ together by considering one or more of the following:

‘What are we hoping to achieve? What do we want for the future? What will we see/ hear/ do when this is achieved? What will others see/ hear/ do? What will be different and who will be the first to notice?’

Describing the future in this way can make goals and solutions seem much more attainable. It also primes staff to notice when pieces of the ’future’ start to happen in the present.