The Contract (day 2)
Thank you for taking part!
Today we look at what parts your agreements can be made of. We will also see the requirements you need to deliver on your side and check for on the others’ side in order to make sound arrangements.
Here we go!
Video: Contract components
This video is about the parts of a good contract.
Summary:
These are the contract components:
- Contract parties
- Object of agreement
- No Stop- or Don’t-do-contracts
- Attractive alternative
- How should the goal be achieved?
- Time frame
- Goal must be achievable
- Document results and consequences (upon contract conclusion and upon non-contract conclusion)
Video: Preconditions for a Contract
There are a few things you can consider in order to get a high-quality contract. In this video you'll get to know them.
Summary:
The following aspects should be included in a contact:
- Voluntariness of all parties
- Competence about the subject matter of the contract with the contracting party
- Only ethically acceptable goals
- Win-win contracts
- From the adult ego state with the participation of the free child ego state (non-gaming contract and to meet real needs)
- Resourceful state (physically, mentally and of the soul)
Tip: As a basic principle, I do not make any contracts with people who are hungry, for example. If that's the case, I'll postpone my agreement negotiations to a later date.
Ego states (adult, parent & child ego state)
If you are not familiar with the ego states, you will get an insight here.
By the way: The ego states are a learning module of the basic course Transactional Analysis. You learn how to recognize and change them on yourself. You'll also learn how to recognize them in others and invite them into more helpful ones.
Exercise:
Do you still remember yesterday's situation in which you could use the contract method?
Continuation: Which parts of the contract may be missing? What prerequisites or good conditions could you create to make the arrangement more constructive?
For example, "I want to avoid problems with my supervisor, we often misunderstand each other when it comes to completing tasks. We have not set a clear time frame yet, and I always accept assignments in the child-ego state. This is not a good condition for a contract."
Post your examples in the comments section so others can learn from you.
Tomorrow we will deal with very specific techniques to help you make a contract. I prepared a great video example for you.
If you have a question, write in the comments function. I'm also happy if you write me some feedback.
See you tomorrow,
Your Steffen
By the way: Contracts are one of 11 learning modules of the basic course Transactional Analysis. So if you want to dive deeper and learn the basics of transactional analysis, you can do so here. (including certification)