REFRAMING: THE POWER OF PERSPECTIVE

REFRAMING: THE POWER OF PERSPECTIVE

The meaning of any experience in life depends upon the frame we put around it. If one changes the frame, then context, the meaning changes instantly. If we can change our frame of reference by looking at the situation from a different point of view, we can change the way we respond in life. We can change our representation or perception about anything and in a moment changes our states and behaviors. One of the most effective tools for personal change is learning how to put the best frames on any experience is known as reframing.



Reframing in its simplest form is changing a negative statement into a positive one by changing the frame of reference used to perceive the experience. There are two major type of reframes, or ways to alter our perception about something:


Context reframing
It involves taking an experience that seems to be bad, upsetting, or undesirable and showing how the same behavior or exp is actually a great advantage in another context.


Content reframing
It involves taking the exact same situation and changing what it means. For example there is a story of a famous army general who was known to have reframed his troops during a heavy enemy attack by saying, “we’re not retreating we’re just advancing in another direction.” Another kind of content reframing is to actually change the way you see, hear, or represent a situation. If you’re upset about what someone said to you, you may envision yourself smiling as he says the same negative words expressed in the tonality of your favorite singer.

There’s a famous story about one of the associate’s of IBM. One of his employee’s had made a horrendous mistake that had cost the company ten million dollars. He was called into the office and said, “I suppose you want my resignation”. His boss looks at him and said, “Are you kidding”? We just spent ten million dollars educating you.


There are valuable lessons in everything that happens. The best leaders are the ones who learn the lesson and put the most empowering frame on outside events. That works for politics, business, teaching and your home life as well.