NLP reframing techniques

Neuro linguistic programming is an approach to psychotherapy and organizational changed based on relationships between successful patterns of behavior and the subjective experiences underlying them. The goal of neuro linguistic programming is to change human patterns of mental and emotional behavior and to organize them in such a way to achieve specific goals in life. Neuro linguistic programming uses frames to provide focus and context for one’s activities; but it also uses reframing technique in order to expand frames and see other opportunities and possibilities.

Reframing technique

Frame is a reference that one chooses as a result of his or hers own beliefs about self and others. Frames are definite descriptions limited to a single possibility. Reframing technique is aimed to open up all sorts of possibilities and change the way one perceives, interprets and reacts to the experience. Changing the frame, or reframing, can have significant impacts on one’s choices. As the limiting belief fades, new conceptions and interpretation possibilities can develop.

Reframing is an everyday situation used by the many of us. For example, politicians use reframing techniques on a situation, to accent positive things for themselves or negative things for their opponent. Our standpoints about things may change as we learn something new about them. For example, an old and ugly lamp found at the attic may suddenly seem differently if someone tells us it is a valuable antique. We often use reframing to make an excuse and explain our own behaviors in a certain context.

Using the reframing technique

To get the maximum positive benefits from reframing techniques one should focus on changing the way he or she perceives an event in order to change the meaning. The change of meaning changes ones emotional response to previously disturbing situation and, consequently, changes the behavior. There are three main approaches to reframing technique. The first approach encourages one to look at negative situations from a positive aspect. The second approach deals with changing of the context, and choosing to see things from more positive aspect. The third approach puts an accent on perception of things and situations and motivates observer to perceive things from more positive angle.

Here are some examples:"Whenever my boss criticizes me I respond by getting really defensive and hurt and I feel like a failure"One can reframe this example in a couple of different ways:Reframe 1: The boss isn’t criticizing; he is just giving a feedback about the work. The feedback may sometimes be negative, if the goal isn’t accomplished.Reframe 2: The boss is not trying to hurt anybody. He is just trying to help one to get a better result.Reframe 3: All of the great innovators were criticized at first. It may take some time before the others realize the value behind one’s modernizations.