Who would study psychology if they didn't have some kind of problem?

Chapter 609 The Necessity of Visualization Technology

Nan Zhuren placed a blank A4 sheet of paper horizontally between the two of them, took out a pen, and drew a small dot in the center of the paper.

"Team Leader Li, let's do a short exercise." Nan Zhuren looked up at Team Leader Li.

He pointed to what he had just drawn on the A4 paper: "This dot represents you, Team Leader Li. Now, please draw three concentric circles with this dot as the center."

Although Team Leader Li had some doubts, he still took the pen.

He is always meticulous in his work, and even in this kind of practice, he draws with utmost care, making the three circles from the inside out clear and neat.

“Very good.” Nan Zhuren pointed to the innermost small circle. “We call this circle the ‘control circle.’ Please think about what things in your current work you can completely control, without relying on others, and that you can decide and execute on your own?”

"After you figure out the answer, write it inside this circle."

Team Leader Li is now quite cooperative with Nan Zhuren's instructions.

However, before he could think about it, he paused for a moment: "Teacher Nan, are you going to ask me to write down the things I can control and the things I can't control in order?"

Team Leader Li is truly intelligent and very experienced.

He once again anticipated Nan Zhuren's intentions.

“Our company has invited instructors to give us training before, but the topic was about prioritizing tasks, anyway…”

Team Leader Li looked at Nan Zhuren and said sincerely, "I understand what you mean. Floods and disasters are things I can't control; but the work I'm doing is what I can do—you want to use this technology to help me understand these things, right?"

This time, Team Leader Li's words were no longer about resistance and defense, but a pure expression of himself.

Nan Zhuren did not use any tricks to explain things indirectly as she had done before.

Nan Zhuren insisted that Team Leader Li follow the current instructions: "Yes, but even if you've done it before, it's better to do it again now."

Meeting Team Leader Li's questioning gaze, Nan Zhuren explained, "In psychology, there is a type of technique called [visualization technique]."

"The core function of this technology is to transform the invisible inner world into something that we can see, touch, and discuss."

Nan Zhuren tapped his head: "Some things, when they are only in our minds, we can never fully perceive them; but after writing them down, and then experiencing them, it will be different."

As he spoke, Nan Zhuren pushed the A4 paper towards Team Leader Li again: "You may have experienced this technology before, but your current situation is definitely different from then—give it a try?"

……

Visualization techniques are a broad category of techniques in psychology.

The technology that Nan Zhuren is using today is the "control circle" technology.

Besides the function of "objectifying abstract concepts" that Nan Zhuren just mentioned to Team Leader Li.

Another reason why Team Leader Li is now using this technology is that visualization technology can significantly reduce the cognitive load of visitors.

For Team Leader Li, who had just gone through a series of complex emotions, it was quite difficult to think about things in detail again.

Therefore, some external objective entities are needed for assistance.

The Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (ABC technique) that Nan Zhuren used before, which requires clients to write down their beliefs and then refute them, is based on a similar principle.

……

After hearing Nan Zhuren's explanation, Team Leader Li no longer hesitated.

He first recalled Nan Zhuren's recent requirement for him: "Write what you can control, right?"

Nan Zhuren nodded.

Team Leader Li answered almost without hesitation: "The task assignments and work schedules for my team members; the priority and specific plans for the distribution of existing materials in our area; and... my own work schedule and energy input—these are all things I can control."

As he spoke, he wrote these points down within the "control circle".

“Very clear.” Nan Zhuren nodded approvingly and added, “No rush, let’s think about it more carefully. What you write down can be more than just work-related things; it can also be things in your life, anything you can completely control.”

Team Leader Li pondered for a moment, added a few more points, and then looked up to answer, "No, that's all."

“Okay.” Nan Zhuren nodded, then pointed to the middle circle among the three concentric circles. “This is the ‘influence circle.’ You can’t completely control what happens here, but you can exert influence through your efforts, communication, and coordination, which may change the outcome.”

"After you figure out the answer, write it inside this circle."

This time, Team Leader Li took a little longer to think.

His pen tapped lightly on the paper as he pondered and murmured to himself, "Coordination with other districts, seeking temporary mutual assistance... Clearly stating our difficulties and needs to our superiors, providing data and facts... and..."

He paused, then continued, "The way and attitude we use to communicate with the logistics department, even though they may still be slow, can be influenced."

As he spoke, he wrote these contents into the "Circle of Influence".

This time, without Nan Zhuren's prompting, Team Leader Li spent a long time thinking after finishing writing.

After confirming that nothing had been omitted, he looked up and gave Nan Zhuren a definite answer: "It's finished."

“Very good, then let’s move on to the final step.” Nan Zhuren’s finger landed on the outermost and largest circle.

"This is the 'circle of concern'. It includes everything you care about, but which you can neither control nor directly influence."

Nan Zhuren looked into Team Leader Li's eyes and said in a soft voice, "In our conversation just now, you've already talked a lot about this area. Now, please recall them and write them down."

"At the same time, it's also a time to examine myself... Is there anything else I need to include in my 'circle of concern'?"

Team Leader Li's gaze followed Nan Zhuren's words and landed on the largest, blank circle.

He remained silent, his eyes flickering.

After a long pause, he sighed, picked up his pen, and wrote "Global Resources" and "System Process" in the circle. Finally, near the edge, he wrote "Riverbank Accident" with force and slowness.

The writing inside this circle is much shorter than the other two circles, so much so that it is all referred to by a single word.

Nan Zhuren's eyes flickered as he noticed this detail.

This is not a problem—or rather, this is precisely the problem that Nan Zhuren will have to deal with next.

After all three circles were filled with text, Team Leader Li paused.

He stared blankly at the things inside, things that had just been visualized in his mind and put onto paper.

It was a completely new experience; a strange yet comfortable emotion emanated from the paper and enveloped him.

Nan Zhuren waited for a few breaths.

Then Nan Zhuren leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping over the three circles: "Now, let's look at this picture. — Team Leader Li, please tell me honestly, in recent times, which circle have you devoted most of your energy and strongest emotions to?" After the conversation just now, there was no doubt about the answer.

If Nan Zhuren was guiding Team Leader Li through the analysis just now, then now it is Team Leader Li's process of self-examination and self-reflection.

Team Leader Li's gaze lingered on the drawing for a moment before finally settling on the outermost "circle of concern".

That territory he couldn't control.

Team Leader Li pursed his lips and forced a bitter smile: "...The outermost one. I keep wondering why they're so slow, why the procedures are so complicated...and that accident, I keep thinking 'what if'."

"And what was the result?" Nan Zhuren pressed, urgent yet gentle. "Did your focus on this 'circle of concern' that you couldn't change alter the system's processes? Did it fix the accident? Did it... bring you inner peace and make your actions more effective?"

Team Leader Li was silent for a moment.

Then, with force, he fell onto the back of the chair.

This isn't a sofa; the wood is a bit rough, but it's enough to support your body.

Team Leader Li shook his head, the answer obvious: "No, nothing at all. I haven't changed any of those things, and I haven't gotten any better... on the contrary, I'm getting more and more tired."

He began to show a visible sign of fatigue, but Nan Zhuren saw a healing effect in it.

“So, what if we try to make a change—” Nan Zhuren said.

He pointed to the "control zone" and the "influence zone" with his finger.

"—If you focus your main energy and wisdom back on these two inner circles, and concentrate on the things you can control and influence."

"This does not mean that you no longer care about the outside world, but that you have chosen a wiser and more effective 'battlefield'."

Looking into Team Leader Li's eyes, Nan Zhuren asked the final crucial question: "Compare these two states. Is it more effective to focus on finding a 'hypothetical enemy' within your 'circle of concern' to drive work and soothe your conscience?"

"Is it better to focus on actions within your 'circle of control' and 'circle of influence,' as you are doing now? This will truly help those around you and make you feel more grounded and empowered?"

This is yet another example of a Socratic question, aimed at evaluation and integration.

Guide visitors to compare and evaluate the old and new cognitive and behavioral patterns, and use their own rationality and experience to strengthen the advantages of the new cognition, thereby promoting the consolidation and integration of change.

The answer to this question had already already surfaced in the visitor's mind.

Now, as the dialogue continues and technology advances, things are becoming clearer and clearer, and are being fully revealed bit by bit.

Team Leader Li let out a long, thorough breath, as if expelling all the pent-up stale air.

"The answer is definitely yes," said Team Leader Li.

It was just drawing three circles, and it was only a conversation that lasted about ten minutes.

But at this moment, Team Leader Li's thoughts were like a scrambled Rubik's Cube that had been straightened out.

Even his eyes seemed much clearer.

“I understand, Professor Nan.” His voice was much calmer now. “I know what I should do next. I’ve always known.”

Team Leader Li pointed heavily at the "control zone" and "influence zone" with his finger.

"After that, I stopped wasting my energy on an imaginary enemy."

He paused, his gaze sharpening and resolute again, but in a constructive way: "I... will readjust my priorities. As for those..."

He glanced at his "following circle" and said, "I can't change it, so I'll leave it here, remember it, but not let it consume me."

Nan Zhuren breathed a sigh of relief.

Team Leader Li's final words can be considered a kind of "ritual," which is of great significance for psychological intervention.

It's finally finished.

Nan Zhuren responded to Team Leader Li's answer with a smile, which then turned into a serious expression.

He sincerely said, "Your sense of responsibility and dedication are evident to all. Please remember that true strength is not about denying powerlessness, but about being aware of its existence and still choosing to use your strength in the most effective way."

"You are an excellent commander; do not let the fog obscure your direction."

As Nan Zhuren spoke, the surging emotions on Team Leader Li's face gradually subsided.

He stepped out of the consultation mode and into a state where he could be ready to work at any time.

"Of course." Team Leader Li nodded to Nan Zhuren.

Nan Zhuren closed the folder: "That concludes our conversation for today. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me anytime—if I have the time."

Team Leader Li smiled and said, "I'll try my best to avoid seeing you this way again. But if we're outside, I'd be happy to work with you."

These words made Nan Zhuren laugh as well.

……

With a creak, the door to the makeshift consultation room opened.

Team Leader Li took a deep breath by the window, letting the damp and cold feeling fill his chest again.

He shivered, completely leaving a part of himself in the consultation room; only then did he realize that he hadn't zipped up his windbreaker, so he hurriedly started to tidy up his clothes.

Soon his appearance seemed to be the same as when he had just gone in.

But the aura emanating from their faces, eyes, and bodies is completely different.

"What was I originally going to do..." Team Leader Li sorted out his thoughts. He had only planned to stay in the consultation room for about ten minutes, but he hadn't expected to get so engrossed in it.

"Oh, right, report!"

Team Leader Li took out his walkie-talkie, confirmed the location of his target, and then hurriedly left.

Soon, a tent that had been used as a conference room appeared in front of them.

"Old Zhou!" Team Leader Li greeted him and lifted the waterproof curtain to go inside.

Upon entering, one sees the camp leader sitting in the head seat, surrounded by a group of intellectuals who look out of place in the camp, resembling teachers.

The person in charge, Lao Zhou, remained silent, while the teachers looked at each file and occasionally whispered among themselves, arguing about something.

(End of this chapter)