The Miracle Question: A Simple Prompt That Unlocks Big Change

There are moments in life when you feel stuck—caught in a pattern you can’t quite break, or unsure of what the “next step” should even look like. In therapy, coaching, or personal reflection, people often focus on the problem: what’s wrong, why it’s happening, who caused it, and how long it has been going on.

But what if you could bypass all of that?

What if, instead of analyzing the problem, you imagined what life would be like without it?

That’s the power of The Miracle Question, a core tool from Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). And honestly, I like the idea of the miracle question because it gives people permission to think beyond their current limitations—it opens a window into what they truly want, not just what they want to escape.

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What Is the Miracle Question?

The Miracle Question is a therapeutic prompt that goes something like this:

“Imagine that tonight, while you’re asleep, a miracle happens. The problem that brought you here is suddenly gone. Because you were asleep, you don’t know the miracle occurred.
When you wake up tomorrow, what will be the first small sign that tells you things are different?”

That’s it.
Simple, almost childlike—yet incredibly profound.

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Why This Question Matters

Most people know what they don’t want:

• “I don’t want to feel anxious.”
• “I don’t want to be overwhelmed.”
• “I don’t want this conflict anymore.”

But fewer people can clearly describe what they do want.

The Miracle Question flips the focus toward solutions, strengths, and possibilities. It doesn’t ask you to justify your pain or explain your failures—it invites you to imagine success.

This shift alone can spark motivation, clarity, and hope.

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How the Miracle Question Works

1. It helps clarify your destination

The Miracle Question forces you to describe a vision.
Not a vague wish like “I want to be happier,” but observable signs:

• “I’d get out of bed on the first alarm.”
• “I’d speak calmly with my kids during breakfast.”
• “I’d check my email without dread.”

These specifics give you something actionable to pursue.

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2. It breaks the problem-saturated narrative

When we struggle, our thinking often becomes problem-focused:

• “I can’t handle this.”
• “Things always go wrong.”
• “I’m not improving.”

The Miracle Question disrupts that loop.
For a moment, you step outside the problem and imagine life without it. That mental shift can reveal strengths you forgot you had.

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3. It highlights small steps—not grand overhauls

Many people think “change” means a dramatic transformation.
But in SFBT, progress is made one small, measurable step at a time.

When you answer the Miracle Question, you’re encouraged to name the first small sign of change. That makes the vision attainable rather than overwhelming.

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4. It puts you in the expert seat

Solution-focused therapy sees the client—not the therapist—as the expert on their life. The Miracle Question reinforces that:

Only you can define what a better life looks like.
Only you can identify the signs of improvement.
Only you can say what matters most.

This restores a sense of agency and control.

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An Example of the Miracle Question in Action

Imagine someone struggling with burnout. When asked the Miracle Question, they might respond:

• “I’d wake up feeling rested.”
• “I wouldn’t dread turning on my laptop.”
• “I’d take a lunch break instead of eating at my desk.”
• “After work, I’d have enough energy to cook or go for a walk.”

These aren’t fantasy-level goals—they’re practical, clear, and achievable.

From there, the therapist can ask scaling questions like:

• “On a scale of 1–10, how close are you to that version of your day?”
• “What would move you from a 4 to a 5?”
• “Has there ever been a moment recently where even 10% of that miracle happened?”

Suddenly, progress becomes visible.

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Why I Like the Miracle Question

I like the idea of the miracle question because it taps into something we often neglect: permission to imagine a life we want, without barriers, judgment, or self-doubt.

You’re not asked to solve everything at once—you’re asked to dream, then notice what’s already within reach.

It’s hopeful, empowering, and surprisingly practical.

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How You Can Try It Yourself

You don’t need a therapist to use the Miracle Question. Try this exercise:

1. Sit somewhere quiet.
2. Close your eyes.
3. Ask yourself:
   “If a miracle occurred overnight and the problem I’m facing was suddenly gone, what would tomorrow look like?”
4. Write down the first small signs of change.
5. Identify one tiny step you can take today that moves you closer to that miracle scenario.

You might be surprised by how much clarity emerges.

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A Small Question With a Big Impact

The Miracle Question isn’t magic, but it feels like it sometimes.
It transforms your attention from barriers to possibilities, from fear to hope, from stuckness to movement.

Whether you’re navigating stress, relationships, career decisions, or personal growth, this simple question can be a compass pointing you toward the life you want.

And sometimes, imagining the miracle is the first step toward making it real.