04 Aug 2010, Posted by Cris Buckley in Self-Discovery, 8 Comments. Tagged creative thinking, creativity, ideas, personal branding
Do You Have a Metaphor For What You Do?
Photo by andrewk100
If a picture is worth a thousand words—and clarity is power—then how powerful would it be to have a clear picture—or metaphor—of who you are and what you do?
Do you have one?
Let’s play with this for a while. This isn’t a test. There’s no penalty for coming up short. No one else need ever know. You can change your metaphor at any time.
Think about the contribution you make. Now try to find a metaphor to describe it. It should be something that resonates with you—gets you excited when you think about it!
- Are you a rock—do you provide stability?
- Are you a bridge—do you connect people?
- Are you a tube of paint—do you add color to the world?
- Are you a light switch—do you illuminate the solution?
- Are you a wooden spoon—do you stir things up?
I’ll tell you the metaphor I’ve chosen. I’m an ultrasound! I help you see what it is that’s inside you—waiting to be birthed!
Now I want you to find a metaphor that fits you!
Can we please keep adding metaphors to this list to get the creative juices flowing for everyone? Thanks!
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8 Comments
August 7, 2010 11:38 am
Bear Files @evolutionfiles
Fantastic article, Cris! You just keep coming up with great stuff on this blog, I am really impressed with your clarity and creativity. I love how you help people think about their hidden strengths and how to communicate their best assets to the world. My metaphor? I am a Train Engine, working hard to move my client’s brands forward, and helping them pick up more speed the longer we work together. You know me petty well, what do you think of that one?
August 07 2010 13:41 pm
Cris Buckley
Thank you Bear! That's what I love to do--help people see with clarity how they are uniquely designed!
Love your metaphor of the train engine! It's so descriptive of you! I see your willingness and joy in promoting your clients and helping them make connections to move them forward in the early stages. I sense that you believe in your clients and do the hard work to get them to the place of "picking up speed" and running full steam down the track!
Readers: Curious about the Train Engine? Visit Bear at http://www.evolutionfiles.com
August 8, 2010 5:48 pm
Connie Arnold @conarnold
I’m a candle, trying to shine a little light into the dark places of people’s lives, bring a little joy and comfort to them.
August 09 2010 12:24 pm
Cris Buckley
Connie--thanks for visiting and interacting here! I can see your metaphor as a candle--especially after visiting your site. A candle creates an atmosphere and gives a soft and gentle light--very much like the poetry and inspiration on your site. I love it!
August 9, 2010 12:07 pm
Helen Cousins @@xcelbusiness
I debated this for months when trying to establish a mission statement, I’m a business consultant. We came up with >
Your Vision
Our Focus
Delivers Results
__________
We have a visual for this on our home page – so I guess…
We are a focus light to bring clarity to your vision and together we will deliver results. You can see our visual on http://www.xbs.ie/ Great post – I like your thinking!
I like the thinking on this
August 09 2010 12:42 pm
Cris Buckley
Helen, it is so interesting to see the contrast between your focus light metaphor and Connie's candle! Your light is stronger and more concentrated--the visual on your site is a great picture of this!--to give your client clarity. Almost like those hi-intensity desk lamps! Powerful imagery!
Thank you for sharing your metaphor!
August 9, 2010 12:27 pm
Dara @daramoore
I’ve always said I am a dolphin because I embrace the openness of creativity and do my thing to bring about new ideas in my industry.
August 09 2010 12:52 pm
Cris Buckley
Dara, the dolphin metaphor is fascinating. I would love to know more about the attributes of the dolphin that you feel most related to as far as creativity and new ideas. Playing in the wide open sea? Having acute eyesight (vision)? How do you see it?
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