The power of a brilliant reframe !

(this article is compiled from a newsletter)
For many of us who have been in NLP for a while, we have seen the magic that can occur when some of the big, wellknown, crowd-pleasing techniques are used. We have seen lives changed after doing a parts-integration; we have seen bad habits and bothersome behaviour instantly banished using sub-modalities and swish patterns. We have even seen the amazing results of using perceptual positions to release major negative emotions and limiting decisions. But often times we forget the life-changing effects of just one brilliant reframe. Reframing allows us to take a given situation or experience and put a different "frame" around it, that is, put it in a different context or give it a different meaning in order to empower ourselves or turn the situation to favour us. A brilliant reframe gives us the opportunity to influence people, win our point of view, find the
positive in everything, and be able to really take charge of the way we choose to view a situation.

When singer Celine Dion was being interviewed, Barbara Walters asked her the uncomfortable question... "It is well known that your husband is a bit of a gambler...has this characteristic been a problem?" To which Celine Dion replied without a moment's hesitation, "No, it is a Godsend. I am so lucky he gambled on me and mortgaged his house to assist me when I was first starting out."

Ronald Reagan delivered another great reframe when he was running for president. Many people were making comments about how old he was, and in the Primary debate with Walter Mondale, Reagan was asked..."Do you think age is going to be an issue in this election"...to which Ronald Reagan brilliantly replied... "I refuse to make an issue, for political purposes, of my
opponents youth and inexperience."

Another brilliant advertising reframe is when the company that packages red salmon was losing all their sales to the company that packages pink salmon. They turned their financial future completely around by using one good reframe. They put on their can of salmon the words "Genuine red salmon...guaranteed NOT to turn PINK."

In an interview with actor Jim Carey, he was asked why he risked everything to establish himself as his own type of comedian instead of just taking the easy route and continuing to do impressions as many other comedians did. His reply was..."A life of compromise is never easy."

When life takes you by surprise, or hits you with the unexpected, never underestimate the power of a brilliant reframe.