Have you ever changed your behavior or beliefs purely because of a logical argument? Most people don’t. Metaphors, however, are a powerful tool for encouraging change by speaking directly to the unconscious mind.
The Process of Crafting Metaphors
Creating metaphors begins by understanding the person’s current situation—their relationships and strategies they are using to cope or succeed. We then create symbolic characters and scenarios that represent these elements. Next, new perspectives and resources are woven into the metaphorical story to guide the person toward their desired change.
Steps to Create Effective Metaphors:
- Identify the desired goal or outcome.
- Clarify the current state or challenges faced.
- Determine what resources or new viewpoints are needed to overcome the problem.
- Choose symbolic characters to represent people or elements involved. These might include animals, plants, or mythical figures. For example, Milton Erickson famously used a tomato plant to represent a man facing terminal illness.
- Map out the relationships involved. For instance, a dragon might symbolize a controlling boss, or a relentless blowfly might represent constant interruptions.
- Describe the current strategies or behaviors the person is using. A busy panda eating all day could stand for a heavy workload, while a butterfly moving from flower to flower might illustrate fleeting relationships.
- Define the new strategies or resources that could lead to success. An elk pacing itself to evade a lion might show the importance of endurance, or a prince swapping places with a peasant might highlight the need for a fresh perspective.
- Craft the story, replacing real-life characters and situations with the symbolic ones, to convey the message and lead to transformation.
Example of a Metaphor for Change
Current situation:
A young man is very goal-driven and works long hours with little time for rest. He approaches relationships with the same efficiency mindset he uses at work, often attending speed dating or nightclubs where he quickly judges potential partners based on rigid criteria. As a result, his relationships tend to be short-lived and unsatisfying, often with similarly driven people.
Desired outcome:
To develop a comfortable and meaningful partnership with someone who shares common interests and goals.
New strategies and resources:
He would benefit from a slower, more thoughtful approach—enjoying the process rather than rushing. Taking time to explore his own interests and needs, and meeting people in environments where he can connect more deeply before making decisions.
The metaphorical story:
A panda once worried he would never find a mate, as he spent all day gathering food to survive. Other pandas he met were just as busy and hurried. One day, he realized that the winters were milder now, so he could afford to eat a little less. With this extra time, he started socializing more and exploring what truly brought him joy. Before long, he noticed another panda nearby who enjoyed the same activities — someone he had overlooked before.
