| The Power Of Archetype Analysis For Women |
| Written by Colleen Guy | |
| Monday, 28 June 2010 | |
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Ever since the story of Adam and Eve, society has been repeatedly re-evaluating the place of women within it. Can women now improve their standing, and create a "better deal" for themselves? Certainly, personal experiences play a huge part in answering this question- the perspectives of a high-flying career woman and a low-income single mother may be very different.
Ever since the story of Adam and Eve, society has been repeatedly re-evaluating the place of women within it. Can women now improve their standing, and create a "better deal" for themselves? Certainly, personal experiences play a huge part in answering this question- the perspectives of a high-flying career woman and a low-income single mother may be very different. While it might appear that society has changed, and women are now doing pretty well, after a second glance it becomes obvious that numerous problems still remain- for example the glass ceiling, the lack of credible female role models, and net-working events designed to benefit men. The sentiment that women have to be twice as good as their male equivalent to succeed is still very much present. Even the most successful women are often susceptible to feelings of self-doubt and lack of confidence. Legislation is a significant part in tackling the problem- but the underlying causes are still very present. An illustration of this is the sexual harassment and discrimination cases in the headlines- which are undoubtedly just the tip of the iceberg. Nonetheless, we have certainly seen an improvement in this situation over the last century. In my opinion, it's the women themselves that can create their own luck- they don't need to wait for society to change. Problems like a lack of self-confidence can be addressed by coaching. Ultimately, though, we must recognise the limits of coaching, and discover the underlying issues that affect a women's confidence. We can do this using Archetype Analysis - a highly insightful analytic tool used to aid self-development. It's an inspiring proven and successful tool which allows users, by getting in touch with their "potential selves", to shift their self-perspective, and help them through important life quandaries. It's especially useful for woman, as the very nature of the analysis involves identifying preconceptions and looking at how they can be built on/ discarded, which may allow a major positive transformation in how they see themselves. The analysis explores our childhoods, leading to discover your "story"- the set of learned and ingrained attitudes we inherit during this time. Archetype Analysis suggests that we "cling" to our stories as they are comforting- and suggests a revolutionary (but sensitive) alternative approach to life fulfilment. It doesn't insist you simply throw away your story- but explore how it can be enhanced, modified and seasoned. Archetype Analysis suggests that there are 12 main archetypes. An assessment tool helps users to explore not only which archetypes they are currently adopting, but also the effects of adopting alternative archetypes. The different archetypes can be illustrated by studying how we might confront a particular problem. * Innocent: we are optimistic it will turn out well * Orphan: becoming more practical about the outcome and perhaps asking for help * Warrior: getting our resources together and constructing a decisive plan * Caregiver: taking into consideration others affected by the problem * Seeker: collecting new information * Lover: making new promises to change and re-build relationships * Destroyer: relinquishing illusions and false-hope * Creator: inventing a new solution * Ruler: taking responsibility * Sage: looking back at the lesson learnt * Jester: enjoying ourselves again * Magician: changing our approach and behaviour to fit a particular situation (and its solution) We then come full circle, and trust that everything will be alright (Innocent) Just having a basic understanding of the 12 archetypes can help you to consider and experiment with new ways of being and self-perception. Even though it's the Caregiver archetype that's associated with women, I often suggest that female clients look more closely at the Warrior and Seeker archetypes, and experiment with the Magician in us. So many women find Archetype Analysis, and the exploration of new and broader aspects of their personality, amazingly refreshing in comparison to all their previous life preconceptions. Maybe it's not from Adam and Eve we need to learn- but from the serpent- it is now time to shed a new skin, and discover a fresh new you. The Article Author: Interested in reading more about Archetype Analysis? Spirit Mystique offers Spiritual Coaching and Spiritual Workshops for anyone interested in starting their own spiritual journey. Spirit Mystique: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times. |
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