Using metaphor for your business model

As a visual person, I find imagery and metaphor to be really useful tools for understanding and creating new awareness in my personal and business life. I'm fortunate that in my job, I get to connect with various coaches and wellness practioners who use imagery and metaphor in their work.

When I started my business, I used the metaphor of a vine to visualize how it would grow. I saw that the vine needed a trellis/support to rise off of the ground (just as a business person needs support). I took comfort that with care the vine would flourish and grow. I'd prune the areas that weren't thriving or pulled energy from the rest of the vine. I'd add extra supports to areas that were becoming heavy with flowers. I liked the unpredictability of the vine seeking its way toward the sun, sending tendrils to where it needed to grow.

The metaphor served me well in the early part of my business. But after three years, I needed a new image. I noticed that the vine of my business was sending out lots of energy to the tendrils and new growth and less so to it's core. With the help of a Certified Dream Coach®, Lisa Carmichael (612-280-0734, spagal@mysensaria.com) I was able to find the metaphor that is more useful for me to understand what I need to do for the next stage of growth.

My business is no longer a rambling vine trying to find it's place in the world. Rather, it's established itself as more of a tree. A tree cannot thrive and stand strong unless it's roots run deep and connect to sustenance. The trunk of the tree and it's main branches have to absorb all that they need before the nourishment can create and sustain new growth. I realized that I can no longer send the bulk of my energy to the "leaves/new growth". When I view this as a business model, I see that it's become time to draw energy from the roots (sustenance, purpose, passion, values, connection, integrity), to strengthen the base (core/spirit, self, family, loved ones), nourish the protective bark (support systems), make sure the main branches are tended (key facilitators and clients), while still honoring the twigs and leaves for the energy exchange that happens with them (colleagues and other acquaintances).

I'm both relieved and curious to see how this new model influences the way that I go about my business. And it makes me I wonder what metaphor I'll be using in another three years. Thanks Lisa for getting me to a place to find this useful visual!

What metaphor do you find useful for the way you work and/or live your life?