Archetypal Pattern Recognition: Using Archetypes to Explore Client Strengths & Identity

Transcription

1 Archetypal Pattern Recognition: Using Archetypes to Explore Client Strengths & Identity Archetypal Pattern Recognition is a self-assessment tool that supports clients to identify and recognize who they are at the essential self or core self, and to identify core default patterns that they express daily and throughout their life. An archetype is a name for a universal pattern of behavior an energetic expression observed in a person s thoughts, feelings, communication and actions. Essentially who we are is a mixture of these patterns, some of which are active all the time, and some are stimulated or triggered by different contexts or situations. Why this is important is these patterns are often clues to when a person is in alignment or out of alignment. They are clues to the inner world and help reveal if someone is stuck in a belief or limited perspective. They are clues that can be shared with the client to show patterns of habit that are working and those that are less serving to their success. Archetypes are consistent across people and cultures and share common labels. An example of three archetypal identifiers we all know are Hero, Leader and Lover. Each has its own energy and its own Copyright

2 set of qualities that make it unique: Hero holds the qualities of goodness, bravery, selflessness; Leader holds the qualities of power, directiveness, motivation; Lover holds the qualities of connection, sensuality, romance. Each of us as humans has access to a wide spread of archetypal energies, and depending on what part of our life we are in, we shift easily and effortlessly between them: we are Learner when we are in school, Lover with our significant other, Detective when we are solving a mystery, Teacher when we are called upon to share our knowledge. Each of us has default archetypes that we are most comfortable with. Some people naturally gravitate to being a Leader and assume leadership roles in the various aspects of their lives. Others prefer to be a Nurturer. Still others prefer to fade into the background and be an Observer. These roles become our internal sweet spot or comfort zone, and we naturally gravitate to them. You often hear people unconsciously use archetypes to describe themselves: I m a Leader in my industry; I m a good Father; I m a lifelong Learner. Likewise, just as we resonate with certain archetypes, others we perceive as negative and reject: I m not a User; I m not a Victim. Still others we don t 82 Copyright

3 recognize within ourselves but we have no reaction or negativity associated with it: I m not a Leader; I m not much of a Risk Taker. Which archetypes are acceptable to us and which ones are not may come from our cultural or familial values or they may simply come from our own personal values. For example, a Free Spirit might reject the archetype of Controller which feels too rigid and confining to them, while a Visionary who dreams up big plans and ideas may reject Doubter because it just holds him back. Importance of Archetypal Pattern Recognition A person s identity is made up of different archetypal energies and patterns that in combination shape their unique personality and approach to life and ultimately the way they think, feel, act and respond in the world. Archetypal Pattern Recognition is a self-assessment tool that helps clients recognize and witness their own patterns in a safe and nonthreatening way. It allows clients to see their core default patterns as well as the different patterns they express in the various areas of their life. It helps them to witness and honor themselves. It s also a great way to show and talk about their skills, resources and Copyright

4 strengths, and it s a way to focus non-judgmentally on their habits so that they can see and understand them. Using archetypes as a common symbolic language, the coach can easily speak with the client about any important characteristics or qualities being expressed as they relate to the client s desired outcome. As the client s ability to recognize their own patterns grows and develops, it helps them understand who they are, how they operate in the world, and especially who they are at their best. These exercises are designed to help the client begin to self identify using these recognizable energy patterns. As a coach, these exercises help you and your client begin to make meaning of the client s story. Discovering Archetypal Identity Using Archetypal Language the coach can support the client to recognize who they are at the identity and social identity level. Identity & Social Identity Mapping Our first exercise is to look at the archetypal energies as they relate to the client s self and social identity. 84 Copyright

5 It is important to be mindful that these identity level archetypes may sound like labels but our intention is to recognize these terms as aspects of a person not as the whole of who they are. Core Archetypal Identity Exercise 1. Ask the client to go through the identity cards or list on the following page and to choose the archetypes that most resonate as being who they are/ who they see themselves as being. 2. Once the client has chosen their archetypes, repeat the list back to them. 3. Have the client choose the top 5 archetypes that best represent who they are today - those that they feel are at the core of who they are. Record their answers. 4. Ask the client to describe what it is about each archetype that resonates with them. Record their answers. 5. Listen to how they describe themselves to you and reflect back any important information in an appreciative style. Copyright

6 Archetype List Achiever Adventurer Artist Catalyst Champion Child Controller Coward Deal Maker Detective Drama Queen Engineer Evangelist Free Spirit Fun Lover Generalist Healer Hermit Hero Intellectual Joker Judge Leader Learner Lover Loyalist Martyr Maximizer Mirror Networker Nurturer Observer Optimist Orphan Peacemaker Princess Protector Questioner Realist Risk Taker Saboteur Sage Seductress Servant Shape Shifter Spiritualist Stabilizer Star Storyteller Survivalist Victim Visionary Warrior Wizard 86 Copyright

7 Core Archetypal Identity 1.) Archetype: Key Descriptive Words or Phrases: 2.) Archetype: Key Descriptive Words or Phrases: 3.) Archetype: Key Descriptive Words or Phrases: 4.) Archetype: Key Descriptive Words or Phrases: 5.) Archetype: Key Descriptive Words or Phrases: Copyright

8 Tips-n-Tricks Each of us holds an infinite number of these Archetypal energies within us although a limited number of them will be expressed at any given point. Therefore the key to working with archetypes is to not assume ONE or a FEW archetypes ARE the person. This is not about pigeon holing them. This is about who they are being in this moment, in this particular aspect of their life. So someone who is expressing the qualities of Achiever may be busily accomplishing their goals, but they are not Achiever 24/7. In other words, Achiever may be a strong motivator in their life but it does not define all of who they are. 88 Copyright

9 Core Archetypal Strength-Finding Exercise In this next exercise we will look at ways to use the archetypes to help the client to self-identify their strengths. Each archetype comes with its own innate strengths, capabilities, qualities and resources. It also has its particular weaknesses or limitations. For example, an effective leader used to solving problems quickly and efficiently may want to leap straight to strategy and problem solving when their child talks about their hardships at school when all the child wants is comfort and a sympathetic ear. What makes an individual effective and successful in one role in their life Leader may not be the same qualities that make them successful in a different role or area of their life in this case Parent. 1. Ask the client to go through the archetype cards or list and to select the ones they see that represent their greatest strengths and the ones they are very good at. Record their answers. 2. Repeat the list of archetypes back to the client. 3. Ask the client to describe what strengths they see in themselves in the cards they selected. Record their answers. Copyright

10 Core Archetypal Strengths 1.) Archetype: Core Strengths: 2.) Archetype: Core Strengths: 3.) Archetype: Core Strengths: 4.) Archetype: Core Strengths: 5.) Archetype: Core Strengths: 90 Copyright

11 Whole Life Context A person s identity can shift from one aspect of their life to another. Often there are certain reasons or contexts in which a particular archetypal energy will show up and others won t, and this can be a rich area of exploration for coach and client. For example, if someone is in their workplace, it s likely they will exhibit certain types of behaviors, particular kinds of thinking, styles of communication, particular emotional states because they are in a work environment. So that environment will bring to life certain qualities in them and different expressions than when they are at play or in love. So for example the boss at work may be tough hearted in the work environment but melt into butter when he goes home to the kids; in essence he completely shapes into a different energy because the context has shifted. So if you were to witness this person as he shifted from work to home, you would feel him and experience him very differently in his home environment than in his work environment. Copyright

12 Web of Life Archetypes at Play 1. Ask the client to review their Web of Life and talk about the Archetypes that play a role in each of the areas of their life. 2. How do those archetypes serve them? 3. Are there any archetypes they would like to add in to any of these areas? Are there any archetypes in these areas they would like to amp up and have more of? How would this benefit them? 92 Copyright

13 Web of Life Archetypal Identities Career or Business: Ex. Leader, Visionary Environment: Ex. Peacemaker, Maximizer Romance: Ex. Lover, Artist Social Life: Ex. Networker, Nurturer Spirituality: Ex. Sage, Wizard Health & Fitness: Ex. Achiever. Playster Growth & Learning: Ex. Student, Achiever Family: Ex. Peacemaker, Mother Wealth: Ex. Controller, Engineer Enjoyment: Ex. Storyteller Copyright

14 Recognizing the whole of oneself at the identity level can be a rich and rewarding experience for the client. As the coaching relationship progresses, you ll be inviting your clients to learn how to shift easily and effectively from strength to strength among the myriad archetypes so they can be at their most effective. This is where they move from Leader to Parent to Nurturer to Learner as they shift appropriately to meet the needs of the moment. The alternate version is that they stay in their favorite pattern, let s say Leader, and then they muscle through all the other areas of their life as Leader even when Leader isn t appropriate, when say Listener, Parent or Wise Elder would better suit the circumstances. Likewise with an archetype like Caregiver (someone who is generous with their kindness, time and attention) an individual whose default way of being is Caregiver may find themselves overrun by someone else s demands and struggle to assert boundaries that protect them from over giving, whereas a shift to Controller may better enforce the boundaries that need to be in place. Or the Artist who struggles to make money and can t find their inner Financier. Each archetype is good at something and not so good at something else, so the ability to shift among archetypes as needed is a valuable tool for clients and coaches to have in their personal or professional toolkit. 94 Copyright