Recently, I wrote about the value of exploring the meaning of those big life words like 'happiness' and 'success,' so you truly know what you want to accomplish.
You can read about that here.
More about powerful words.
I'm a big fan of the metaphor. Far more than a literary device, they are the invisible scaffolding of our thoughts that profoundly shape our perceptions and actions.
Metaphors are the hidden architects of our decisions.
(Ha! Metaphors about metaphors!)
And best of all, working with metaphors helps my coaching clients get unstuck!
Joan
A total rockstar at work, Joan was in line for a large C-suite role. She was excelling in her current job but felt stuck about moving up. When I asked her to picture herself in the big chair, she said, "It's like wearing a designer dress made for someone else." Fascinatingly, this wasn't about lack of confidence. Instead, this image revealed Joan's perception of the role as rigidly defined by its current occupant. It opened up a crucial question: Could she make the position her own? This insight led Joan to explore how she might tailor the role to her strengths and interests, adding valuable perspective to her decision-making process.
Crafting a new metaphor to replace one that isn’t empowering makes a huge difference.
Here's Jere, struggling with his job hunt. We polished his resume and LinkedIn, but his real roadblock? His reluctance to weave a new network or access the one he had already had – a crucial component to a successful job search. It felt like, "facing a stone wall between my yard and theirs, too high to hop over." This metaphor perfectly captured his sense of isolation.
But here's where it gets good. We worked on shifting that metaphor.
By reimagining the wall with a gate, one he opens to invite others in, networking transformed from an insurmountable obstacle to a 'doable' invitation to connect. And, now that he was working with a more empowering metaphor, Jere could choose from strategies to "open the gate" – a plan to reconnect and make new contacts.
The Power of Metaphor Awareness
It's remarkable how reframing these mental images can transform our approach to challenges. Uncovering their existing metaphors, Jere's "wall" or Joan's "ill-fitting dress," provided each with deeper insights into their challenges and helped them 'unstick' from their assumptions. Crafting new metaphors like Jere's "garden gate," literally opened up new possibilities.
Putting It Into Practice
Next time you're facing a decision or challenge:
1. Identify the metaphors you're using to describe the situation. They may surprise you!
2. Ask yourself: Are these metaphors helping or hindering?
3. If they're not serving you, can you create a new, more empowering metaphor?
These stories highlight how our minds constantly create metaphors that shape our perceptions. By becoming aware of these metaphors and adjusting them when needed, we can unlock new possibilities and perspectives. It's a powerful tool for personal and professional growth!
Judy Garfinkel helps you clarify "what's next." Her expertise in building confidence and resilience supports personal development and the ability to navigate career and work transitions – especially now! She is a PCC and certified Trauma Informed Coach. Judy also crafts bespoke resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and bios that open doors for her clients and interview prep that unlocks authenticity and lands jobs. Judy is a Past President of the International Coaching Federation - Connecticut Chapter, where she led 250+ member coaches. You can reach her at judy@moveintochange.com.
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