Use “Twin Trigger” to find metaphors

Metaphors and analogies deepen our understanding of a concept by linking it to something similar in another paradigm. For example, “Floats like a butterfly, stings like bee” conveys the grace and power of boxer Mohammed Ali by linking his movements to those of familiar insects. This act of shifting into new paradigms takes the mind to new ideas. The Twin Trigger exercise connects you to metaphors quickly.

Shifting paradigms is easy; we do it all the time!

Twin Trigger will ask you to shift. Don’t worry – you have this ability and use it all the time. For example, it’s likely you have described intelligence (or the lack thereof) by borrowing from these paradigms:

• Fast food: He’s one enchillada short of a combination plate…
• Electricity: All the lights are on but nobody’s home…
• Construction: The driveway doesn’t quite reach the sidewalk…
• Building: The elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top…
• Currency: He’s not the shiniest coin in the fountain…
• School supplies: He’s not the sharpest pencil in the box…
• Any others? (Please add to comments below!

Get it now

To download the pdf, click here: Twin Trigger Exercise.pdf

Warning: You can use Twin Trigger casually but if you want ” breakthrough ideas,” you need to “define your challenge” FIRST or risk wandering off topic and wasting time. It’s the first step of B.I.5, Breakthrough Ideas in 5 Steps (download the B.I.5 Cheatsheet).

This is a preview of the pdf:

Please respect copyright: all material belongs to Creative Expeditions Inc. Feel free to use the exercise within your team but please secure the permission of Inge Christensen before replicating material obtained from this website for any reason!