Wish List - Level One

The Basic Issue

The main thing that must happen in the first level is the generation of a wish list in as many variations as possible. I try to do this in one sitting because it forms a foundation for the rest of the levels. Once this is done, the rest of the levels can be done at another time. I try to do both levels one and two in the first session, but his is not always possible.

I have sometimes done this over the phone by feeding each version of the question sequentially, or have the person list a version of the question on different sheets of paper and fill hem in on their own time. However, this has not always been successful. Some people need others to walk it through with them.

The Process for Level One

Without explanation I get the person to make a wish list on the left hand sides of a sheet of paper, listing "all the things that they wished someone had done for them (or had happened) which would have made their life better, opened up some possibilities or prevented some hassle".

On the right side of the sheet, I get them to indicate "what difference might it have made?".

I run through a series of variations of the question because some people generate more responses with one version than another. The variations are past present and future and positive and negative:

• What do you appreciate someone having done that made your life better, opened up some possibilities or prevented some hassle?
• Moving into the present, of all the nasty things that go on in the world around us, what things really get to you?
• What things, when you hear of them or see them, make you say, "there should be more of that", or "they have got that right"?
• Moving into the future, of all the things that can go wrong in life, what do you hope you never have to deal with?
• What things are in your life-package now that you hope don't go away?

Then I end off with two point blank questions asking them to write out their answers in full sentences:

1. What do you wish someone would do for you which would make your life better, open up some possibilities or prevent some hassle (and the difference it would make).
2. If you could do anything in the whole world, and there were absolutely no restrictions, what would you really like to do (and the significance)

Of course, after each question I get them to put on the right hand column "why?" or what difference would it have made" or what is the significance to you there? (depending on how it fits the variation of the question.

Level one lays the foundation for moving on to level two, which I usually do right away.