The Miracle Question Explorer

A Solution-Focused Tool to Discover Your Path Forward

Explore a Future Without Your Problem

This exercise uses a famous question from Solution-Focused Therapy to help you bypass problem-talk and imagine a better future. This process can reveal surprising insights about the solutions that are already within your reach.

Begin the Question

The Miracle Question

Suppose that one night, while you were asleep, a miracle happened and the problem that has been bothering you was solved.

But since you were asleep, you don’t know that the miracle has happened.

When you wake up in the morning, what will be the very first small sign that will make you realize a miracle has happened?

Next

Exploring the Miracle Day

Let’s explore this new day further. What else would be different?

What would you be doing differently throughout the day?

Who would be the first person to notice this miracle? What would they see you doing?

What small part of this miracle is already happening, even just 1% of the time?

See My Miracle Blueprint

Your Miracle Blueprint

Your answers are not just a fantasy; they are a blueprint. They contain clues about what you truly want and the small steps you can take to start building that future today.

Start Over

What is the Miracle Question?

The Miracle Question is a powerful and imaginative technique from the world of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). It is designed to help you bypass the circular and often discouraging process of analyzing a problem, and instead, leap directly into exploring the solution.

The question invites you to imagine that, while you were asleep, a miracle occurred and your problem was completely solved. This interactive tool will guide you through this classic exercise, helping you to describe that “miracle day” in detail. In doing so, you can uncover surprising insights into what you truly want and the small, concrete steps you can take to get there.

When Should I Use This Tool?

The Miracle Question is a versatile tool for shifting your perspective from being “problem-focused” to “solution-focused.” It is especially helpful when you are:

• Feeling stuck and hopeless about a persistent problem.
• Unsure of what your goals are or what you want your life to look like.
• Struggling to see a way forward in a difficult situation.
• In therapy and want to practice a core solution-focused technique.
• Looking for motivation by creating a clear and compelling vision of a better future.

The Science Behind It: The Power of a Solution-Focused Mindset

This imaginative exercise is more than just a thought experiment; it’s a strategic intervention grounded in the principles of SFBT and modern neuroscience.

1. Bypassing the “Problem Trance”: When we focus too much on a problem, our brains can get stuck in a “problem trance,” endlessly analyzing what’s wrong without moving forward. The Miracle Question acts as a pattern interrupt, forcing the brain to shift its resources away from the problem and toward constructing a detailed, positive alternative.
2. Activating the Brain’s “Goal-Striving” System: When you vividly imagine a desired future, you activate the same parts of your brain that are involved in planning and executing goals. Describing the “miracle day” in concrete, behavioral terms (e.g., “I would get out of bed right away” instead of “I would feel happy”) creates a mental blueprint that your brain can begin to work toward.
3. Identifying “Exceptions” and Strengths: The follow-up questions in this exercise are designed to help you identify “exceptions”—small pieces of the miracle that are already happening in your life. Recognizing these exceptions is crucial because it proves that the desired future is not an impossible fantasy, but an extension of strengths and successes you already possess.

Important Safety Disclaimer & When to Seek Help

This tool is for educational and self-exploration purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy.

This is a safe and hopeful exercise for most people. The key is to allow your imagination to be free without judging your answers. There are no right or wrong miracles.

If you are struggling with severe depression, trauma, or a deep sense of hopelessness, it may be difficult to imagine a positive future. Be gentle with yourself. If this exercise brings up significant distress, it is a sign of strength to seek support from a qualified mental health professional who can help you build a foundation of safety and stability. If you are in crisis, please call your local emergency number.

Further Reading & References

The Miracle Question is the best-known technique from Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg.

1. “What is Solution-Focused Therapy?” – An overview from the Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association (SFBTA).
2. “The Miracle Question” – An article from Psychology Today explaining the technique and its applications.
3. “More Than Miracles: The State of the Art of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy” – A key book in the field by Steve de Shazer and his colleagues.