NLP Techniques - Reframing

An event has no meaning on it's own. It just it. People give it meaning according to their beliefs, values, preoccupations, like and dislikes.

In other words, the meaning of an experience is dependent on the context.

Reframing is changing the way you perceive an event and so changing the meaning. When the meaning changes, the response and behavior changes also.

An analogy is that of framing a picture. If you have a painting of Mona Lisa but choose to frame a tiny portion of the background only, you cannot call it a painting of Mona Lisa anymore. A painting of Mona Lisa will also look different when framed in gold as opposed to cheap wood. See how framing (giving meaning to) a picture (content/context) changes it's meaning?

There are two types of reframing

- content reframing

- context reframing

Question:

In what context would this behavior have value?

Example:

My partner is too stubborn.

Reframe: I bet he has the tenacity to stand by you in tough times.

My partner works all time.

Reframe: I bet you will be thanking him when you get your dream home.

Questions:

What else could this mean?

In what way, could this be positive or a resource?

Example:

My husband is too lazy.

Reframe: That means that he is pretty laid back and easy going. Imagine living with a ruthless hard-headed character!

My husband is ruthless and hard-headed.

Reframe: That means that he has ambition and drive. Many women would love that in a man!

- Negative beliefs

- Negative events

- Negative behavior

Credit:
NLP is the work of founders Dr Richard Bandler and Dr John Grinder.