Remembering the Questions
by Marian Way in Practice Group

Practice Group Report
The topic for this meeting was suggested by Cathy Foster: creating methods for remembering the Clean Language questions. We took it in turns to discover (a) the memory strategy we use (for those who know the questions) and (b) a memory strategy that might be useful (for those who don’t yet know them).
I discovered that I have the questions stored ‘deep inside’ me (chest area downwards) in a list. The questions I use most frequently (ie the developing questions) are at the top of the list and they come to mind first. Questions used least frequently are at the bottom. When I am working with a client, the questions I need to use are suggested by their metaphors. We agreed that this isn’t really a memory strategy, since no effort is required to recall them - the questions are just there (even the ones at the bottom) and available for me to use at any time.
Julie developed a metaphor of a rainbow which she will keep in her visual recall area (up and to the left). The rainbow has four colours (left to right) with three questions in each section.
Lisa’s metaphor is of an apple tree, with the questions written on individual apples. And Carol created a washing line with the questions hanging on cards from the line.
Juliet’s strategy was auditory: she plans to gather tapes of sessions so she can listen to the questions being asked.
It was fascinating to discover different ways of remembering, and we had a good evening.
Photo by Fumiaki Hayashi on Unsplash
About Marian Way
A highly skilled facilitator and trainer, Marian, who founded Clean Learning in 2001, has developed and delivered training across the world. She is the author of Clean Approaches for Coaches, co-author, with James Lawley, of Insights in Space and co-author, with Caitlin Walker, of So you want to be… #DramaFree.
Marian is an expert Clean facilitator, an adept modeller, a programme writer and an inspirational trainer. She has a natural ability to model existing structures, find the connections between them and design new ways for people to learn. Marian was a leading innovator within the Weight Watchers organisation, which included developing the “points” strategy, a local idea that went on to become a global innovation. She is a director of both Clean Learning and Training Attention CIC, world leaders in clean applications for corporate, educational and community development. She designs our programmes and workbooks, leads workshops and teaches on all our courses. She’s trained people in Great Britain, Russia, Sweden, Germany, Australia, Japan and the USA. Marian is also a recognised Clean Assessor.
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