The Computer Screen Metaphor
The computer screen metaphor clearly conveys how our thoughts can influence us to the point where we lose sight of our goals. We are talking about a therapeutic resource/complement used to describe in a simple way how thoughts can affect us in everyday situations.
Through this metaphor, a situation is expressed from two different perspectives. It certainly serves as an example to see how negative thoughts can influence the pursuit of goals.
In the computer screen metaphor, the messages represent automatic negative thoughts, those ideas that contaminate many of our thought processes, conditioning them, stopping them and generating discomfort. Studies confirm that thoughts lead to failure. Furthermore, when this happens, the worst thing is that we are not always able to detect them as the cause of the obtained result.
The computer screen metaphor
Two coworkers are in the office and share the same desk. Suddenly, both start receiving messages on their computer screen with the following comments: “you will not be able to solve the problem” and “you are useless”.
The first of the workers tries to eliminate the messages, although they reappear again and again. Then he decides to focus on his tasks and tries not to be affected by the previous comments. Despite being affected, he decides to continue doing what he loves most: his work.
After receiving the same type of message, the second companion tries to eliminate them at all costs. Comments distract you and even affect your self-esteem. He cannot advance if he cannot make the letters disappear from the screen.
Finally, he cannot eliminate the messages or finish his tasks, as the messages caused him to suffer a blockage that prevented him from carrying out his work with ease and normality. Furthermore, suffering increases and negative messages multiply.
He looks at his partner angrily because he sees him working and seems to be enjoying the chores. Finally, he thinks the other is getting to work because he doesn’t get the same messages he does.
Computer Screen Metaphor Lessons
From this metaphor, we can draw the following conclusions:
1. There is more than one solution for the same situation
After knowing the metaphor of the computer screen, we observe that, faced with the same situation, there are two people who decide to act differently. It’s a good example to realize how important self-confidence is.
When you have questions or work with negative messages, you need to regain control of your attention and shift it elsewhere. Rarely is the forest all negative or positive. Furthermore, it is normal for it to be in balance and for us, with our partial perspective, to be the one to measure it.
2. Negative thoughts
Negative thoughts pop into our minds unexpectedly. They are the result of our personal experiences and sometimes distract us from reaching our goals.
Negative thoughts create doubts and discomfort within us. However, they are natural and occur automatically. We recommend that you learn to feed them while trying to finish them off.
Which worker do you identify with?
Our first protagonist was able to overcome obstacles to end his day with the job done. Therefore, he managed to win the battle against the negative thoughts that might have arisen from the beginning. So, even though they sometimes appear unintentionally, it is very important to have control to prevent certain ideas from reproducing in our thoughts.
On the contrary, the other character in the story gives in to the pressure caused by the rain of negative messages that appear on his screen and that disturb his natural rhythm of work. We observe how he tries to overcome an initial situation that ends up winning him over. He’s not better or worse than the first one, he just doesn’t use the most appropriate strategy.
In short, the computer screen metaphor is a good example to understand the importance of coping strategies. Strategies that operate not only at a behavioral level, but also at a mental level.
