From Fighting to Fixing

A client recently came to a session feeling exhausted from all of her “battles” at work.

As she described what was happening, it became clear that the challenges themselves weren’t going away anytime soon. What was adding to the strain was the frame she was carrying them in. Always preparing for "battle" is exhausting.

When we shifted the metaphor from battle to car tuning, something softened. Instead of a soldier under constant attack, she became a mechanic asking different questions:What will keep this car running? Which issues need attention now and which can wait? Does it need an overhaul or can we just replace a tire?

Nothing about the work itself changed. But the frame did and with it, the level of stress and choice available to her.

I’m reminded how quietly our metaphors shape not just how we lead, but how long we feel able to keep going.