University of British Columbia norman.amundson@ubc.ca

1. University of British Columbia norman.amundson@ubc.ca

2. What is a metaphor? • a figure of speech in which two unrelated ideas are used together in such a way that the meaning of one lends definition to the other. • - a visual image that uses imagination to capture new connections and possibilities

3. Metaphors: A Foundation for Life and Career • Wide usage of metaphors – easily remembered (stickiness); refines thinking • Metaphors as guiding images for the future (multiple impacts – preconscious / unconscious) • Change happens when we change metaphors • Creativity is enhanced through the use of multiple perspectives (metaphors)

4. Frustration Metaphors • banging one’s head against the wall • one step forward, two steps back • slippery slope • up a creek without a paddle • running around in circles • caught in a maze

5. Passion and Success Metaphors • In my element • In the flow • In the zone • It’s all coming together • I’ve been called to this • I’m on top of my game

6. Common Metaphors: Horse Racing • at the starting gate • winning by a nose • a dead heat • off and running • placing my money on… • a false start • a long shot • the favorite • playing the odds • jockeying for position • coming from behind (back of the pack) • in the running…

7. Turning on the Metaphor Switch • Learning to identify the metaphors that are being used by ourselves and by others • Viewing the world through a metaphoric lens • Expanding the range of metaphoric possibilities

8. Research on Metaphors • Thibodeau PH, Boroditsky L (2011) Metaphors We Think With: The Role of Metaphor in Reasoning. PLoS ONE 6(2): e16782. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0016782 • http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0016782 • (Dept. of Psychology, Stanford Univ., U.S.A.)

9. Research Findings • Metaphors influence thinking about complex issues (like crime) • This in turn impacts how information is gathered and how problems are solved • The influence of metaphors is covert • Metaphors at the beginning have the most power (butterfly effect)

10. An Example from a Research Study • EXPLORING THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF VISUAL CREATIVE EXPRESSION FOR YOUNG ADULT CANCER SURVIVORS • Each participant was initially asked to tell me about themselves and their cancer journey, with the goal of encouraging the participants to create their own narrative. They were then asked: “Tell me how visual creative expression is part of your life, and how it relates to your journey as a cancer survivor?”

11. Clients often come forward with a“lack ofhope”and a “crisis of imagination”. What is needed is a helping approach that is consistent with the challengebeing presented.

12. Positive Imagination as a Foundation We all have imagination Negative imagination can become “worry” and “fear” Positive imagination creates “possibilities” and “hope”

13. Creative Thinkers • Creative thinkers get variation by conceptually combining dissimilar subjects, which changes their thinking patterns and provides them with a variety of alternatives and conjectures. (THE PROCESS OF METAPHOR MAKING) M. Michalko (2011). “Creative Thinkering”. Novato, CA: New World Library.

14. Leonardo da Vinci • “SaperVadere” – Knowing How to See • Perception as an active process whereby creative ideas come from viewing each object or situation from different perspectives. Through this process there is a deepening of understanding and an expansion of creative possibilities. (METAPHOR MAKING)

15. Albert Einstein • Described the creative thinking process as “combinatory play” which is the blending of images in the same mental space. (METAPHOR MAKING) • “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”

16. The Eyes of Creative Processing • How does “Inclusion” influence creativity? • What is the role of “Intention”? • How does “Intuition” play a part? • How does “Incubation” contribute? • What leads to “Inspiration” and “Illumination”?

17. Walt Disney • A Creative Process • Shift Perspective by Viewing a Situation or an Idea using three Separate Roles – a Metaphoric Process • The Dreamer (Possibilities) • The Realist (Making it Happen) • The Critic (Why Should it Happen)

18. Working with Client Metaphors • Dynamic dialogue (drawing a metaphor) • Extension • Time Line

19. Responding to Client Metaphors • Active Listening (summarizing with a metaphor) • Encouragement (from doormat to wall hanging) • Challenging Perspectives (immediacy)

20. Counselor Initiated Exercises • Perspectives of Others • Parallel Imagery • Physical Representations • The Collective

21. Elaborating Metaphors: Playing Tennis • Keep your eye on the ball • Be sure to follow through • Use your legs not just your arms • Be aware of where everyone is on the court • Don’t over hit • Have a strategy but be ready to improvise • If it isn’t working do something different • Get yourself in position for the next ball • Play your ball to the openings (make the others do the running) • Try hard and don’t give up easily on hard to reach balls • Wait for an opportunity to go to the attack

22. Elaborating Metaphors:Playing Tennis (Continued) • Don’t smash a ball directly at an opponent when they are in a vulnerable position • Keep learning and practicing • Play percentage tennis • In hitting your balls use the full court • If you are playing doubles stay in constant communication with your partner • Purchase equipment that is right for you • Keep your racquet in good working order (strings, grip) • If you have an injury take the time for healing before starting again • Remember to have some fun

23. The Metaphor Spectrum • Stepping inside a variety of metaphors • Enhancing flexibility and creativity through the process

24. Metaphors The Journey Modes of Transportation My Life as a Book Career Flow The Backswing A Bridge Over Troubled Water Climbing the Ladder of Success Walking the Yellow Brick Road Eye of the Storm Staying Afloat

25. Metaphors (cont’d) Career Anchors Fire! Fire! Catching the Wind Catching a Second Wind The Harvest A Garden Work as a Calling The Body A Puzzle Career Craft

26. Metaphors (cont’d) The Butterfly The Power of Small The Snowball Peach or Coconut Networking For Sale Balance Juggling Roller Coaster Role Play

27. Metaphors (cont’d) The Performing Arts Musical Expression Magnetic Attraction Winning the Game A Game of Chance Mold, Mould and Mole-d Outside the Box Soaring with Eagles Heroic Journey A Legacy

28. Limitations • Images outside of experience • Cross cultural misunderstandings • Mixing metaphors • Over use

29. Benefits of Using Metaphors • Non threatening • A way to express empathy and build the relationship • Creates engaging and memorable (sticky) interactions • Serves to refine perspective • A way to externalize problems • Evokes emotional and physical responses / not only intellectual responses • Brings into play the preconscious and unconscious • Builds creativity through use of multiple responses

30. Self Care • If there are problems when flying in an airplane the oxygen mask comes down and you are instructed to put on your own mask before trying to help others. If you are gasping for air you aren’t in any shape to help others. • Apply this same principle to the work you are doing with others.

31. “Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second. Give your dreams all you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.” William James (1842-1910)

32. ~ Thank You ~ To Continue the Conversation: Norman Amundson norman.amundson@ubc.ca To Order Materials: www.ergoncommunications.com Special conference discount (15%) Promo Code: Colorado13