The Miracle Question: Reverse-Engineer Your Win (with Steps)

Ever feel like you're so focused on a problem you can't even imagine the solution? When we're stuck, our minds tend to focus on what's wrong, why it's wrong, and who's to blame. The Miracle Question is a powerful technique from Solution-Focused Therapy that flips the script: it asks you to imagine the solution in vivid detail, then work backward.

What is the Miracle Question? It’s a thought experiment that asks you to imagine a future where your problem is solved overnight. By describing this new reality in detail, you uncover what you truly want and identify the small, actionable steps you can take to get there.

Why This Simple Question is So Powerful

• It bypasses problem-focused thinking. Instead of getting tangled in obstacles, it immediately shifts your brain into a creative, solution-oriented mode.
• It builds a clear, compelling vision. Describing your "miracle" day forces you to define what "better" actually looks like in concrete terms.
• It uncovers small, actionable steps. Once you know the destination, it’s easier to see the first step on the path.

How to Use the Miracle Question: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: The Setup (The Core Question)

Ask yourself the full question: "Suppose that tonight, while you are sleeping, a miracle happens. The miracle is that the problem which brought you here is solved. However, because you are sleeping, you don't know that the miracle has happened. When you wake up tomorrow morning, what will be different that will tell you a miracle has happened and the problem is solved?"

Step 2: The Details (What's different?)

Don't rush this part. Describe the morning in sensory detail. What do you do first? What do you feel in your body? What thoughts are (or aren't) in your head? What does your environment look like?

Step 3: The Ripple Effect (Who notices?)

How would your partner, your kids, your boss, or your pet know that the miracle occurred? What would they see you doing differently? This step is crucial because it grounds your changes in observable behaviors.

Step 4: The First Small Step (Reverse-engineering)

Look at your detailed description of the miracle day. What is the smallest, most achievable piece of that day that you could do *right now* or tomorrow? It might be as simple as "I would go for a 10-minute walk before checking my email," or "I would speak to my partner with kindness." That's your starting point.

Example Walkthrough: "I Feel Stuck in My Career"

• Miracle Day Description: "I'd wake up without that feeling of dread. Instead of scrolling on my phone, I'd feel a sense of purpose. I'd spend the first hour of my day working on my own project—a graphic novel—before starting my day job. I'd feel creative and engaged."
• Who Notices?: "My partner would notice I'm not complaining about work. They'd see me energized and focused at my desk in the morning."
• First Small Step: "Tonight, I will put my sketchbook and a pen on my desk. Tomorrow morning, before I do anything else, I will set a timer for 15 minutes and just draw, no matter how good it is."

Next Step: Try the Guided Version

The Miracle Question is the foundation of Letter L07 in the 12 Letters app. If you want a guided experience to walk you through this process, the app can help you explore your own miracle day in detail.