What a week it has been in the history of aviation! A volcano erupting in Iceland has caused so much disruption leaving people stuck in different countries all over the world. I was in the Philippines at the time, and was not much disturbed by it coming back to New Zealand, but relatives and many others did find themselves stranded for days. While some people were happy about a few more days aboard, covered by insurance, others wanted to be home and wished they had not gone away.

There are always two sides to any story...and you can always find a different meaning in the same situation. 

Changing the meaning or 'the frame of reference' is called 'Reframing' in NLP. Just as you look at a picture frame which has borders and boundaries around a picture, our experiences every day are also framed as a result of our beliefs, values, perceived image of ourselves and the world. The frame of reference that we choose for your experiences can limit us in what we see, or open up a new frame of possibilities.  Just like in the example above with being stranded...the situation is the same, but the meaning that people give to it affects their experiences. They can have an extended good time, or not.

Context and Content Reframes

There are two types of reframing in NLP: Context Reframe & content Reframe

Context Reframe is to do with people's behaviours. "I am too sensitive to do this job" or "He is too loud...'.

By thinking of a different context in which the person will respond differently to the same behaviour, we get to change the meaning of it, and therefore our experience.

For example: 'In what way being too sensitive means that you can do this job even better?' OR 'in what other situation is being loud an advantage?'

Notice how the person making the statement thinks the behaviour has no value which is limiting the experiences, and by reframing it, we open up other possibilities for a more resourceful experience.

Content Reframing is to do with what you focus on in a given situation. 'Whenever my colleague comes to my desk to help, I get annoyed' OR 'Whenever X happens, I respond Y.'.

It is useful here to think of an opposite frame or a different meaning. Notice how the person here has given a meaning -true or not -to a given situation which is also limiting the experience.

A useful reframe here could be: 'Could it be that your boss wants to help but he does not know how to go about it?', or you could see the value in it: 'Isn't it good that you know your job well and can work easily on your own without requiring help?'

Reframing is very useful and we do it every day already, without always realising. It is a great way to gain perspective or change perspective in a situation where we may feel unressourceful.

Try it for yourself...

Try it for yourself in the coming days...When you find yourself in a situation where something annoys you, or you wish someone was behaving differently, offer yourself another possibility and check how it changes your response and experience. It is easy, fun and free and can change your experience very quickly...It also opens up your mind to new possibilities and give you a nice sense of APPRECIATION.

About the author

Helping individuals and teams fulfil their own potential was a trigger in pursuing the career I have today. We are all seeking happiness and fulfilment, and I believe everyone has the inner resources to enhance their life and reach the goals they set for themselves. It is a gift using NLP in my daily life to fulfil bigger dreams and goals, and my mission is to guide you regardless of your destination in a fun, ethical and enthusiastic way. Life is a journey, not only a destination, and it is a privilege assisting my clients making their journey more fulfilled and enjoyable.