NLP reframing is based on the principle that meaning is shaped by your perspective. To reframe something means to alter its meaning by placing it within a new context or frame. For example, a difficult or unpleasant experience might seem amusing when viewed over a long period. Reframing is one of the most powerful and practical techniques within NLP.
The significance we assign to any event depends on the frame through which we view it. By shifting this frame, we can change both the meaning and our reactions to that event. For example, someone wearing a skeleton costume can have very different interpretations depending on whether it’s a Halloween party or a funeral. Similarly, your reaction to someone slipping on a banana peel differs if you witness it versus if it happens to you.
Reframing itself is not a modern concept. Many traditional stories and fables rely on changing the meaning of behavior by shifting the frame. Take the story of the “ugly duckling” — a bird who believed it was unattractive when comparing itself to others, only to later discover it was a beautiful swan.
Humor and Creativity in Reframing
Reframing often appears in humor. Jokes frequently set you up to expect one outcome but then surprise you with an unexpected twist, altering the frame of the initial idea.
Reframing is also a key part of creativity. It involves seeing everyday events or objects from a new perspective that reveals usefulness or enjoyment. For example, the inventor of Velcro was inspired by the challenge of removing burrs from clothing and turned that observation into a useful fastening invention.
Types of Reframing
Context Reframing — Seeing Things Differently
This type of reframing is grounded in the NLP belief that every behavior can be useful in the right context. By identifying a new or useful situation, you can change your reaction to a behavior. When you encourage a friend to consider a different viewpoint or factors they hadn’t thought of, you are helping them reframe the situation to inspire a different response. Politicians often use this technique to put a positive spin on their ideas.
Content Reframing — Finding Positive Intent
Another NLP principle is that all behaviors have a positive intention behind them. Content reframing focuses on discovering what positive purpose a behavior serves. Do you agree that all behaviors have some beneficial intention? Even if a behavior causes harm, the person’s intent might be to feel safe, maintain control, or prevent further harm.
From an evolutionary perspective, our brain’s actions always serve some purpose related to survival and wellbeing. While behaviors may not always align with our immediate desires, they have an underlying reason. For example, recognizing that a teenager’s rebelliousness aims to develop independence can shift how both the teen and parent understand that behavior.
Reframing and Meaning
How we frame a situation greatly influences our experience of it. Exploring these frames helps us understand the consequences of our interpretations and opens pathways to change.
Techniques to Use
- The Six Step Reframe Technique — An effective method to transform unwanted behaviors.
- Mind Lines — Techniques for changing minds, as summarized from L. Michael Hall’s work.