In a recent hypnosis class students were asked to go around the room and play what I am referring to as "the re-frame game" in order to practice re-framing. One person presented a complaint and the next person had to start his or her sentence with "that's nice because", and attempt to change the first person's perspective to a more healthy and productive one.
Example:
Complaint- "The Florida weather is too hot and humid to exercise in."
Re-frame- "That's nice because you can exert less energy and sweat out more toxins."
Complaint- "My hours are so long at work I'm tired at the end of the day."
Re-frame- "That's nice because you are probably able to fall asleep quickly and sleep soundly through the night."
The key is a shift in perspective that is acceptable to the conscious mind. Even if slight, the new perspective will allow new synapses or pathways to be formed in the brain and allow how the brain processes information on a subconscious level to lead to permanent changes in behavior.
The next time you find yourself in a negative pattern of thinking or behavior (they usually go hand-in-hand) play this game with yourself, making sure the shift in perspective is acceptible and you get that "huh, I never thought of it that way feeling" and you'll be off and running! If it is difficult for you to see a different perspective play this game with another person. Sometimes it takes looking slightly outside of ourselves or getting out of our own way to see what has been holding us back.
Enjoy the re-frame game, play and prosper!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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