When you hold beliefs that aren't working for you, such as "I'm not good enough," "I can't," or "I don't deserve," you are probably in the trap of limiting beliefs. These self-limitations are one of the biggest obstacles to achieving success.
Sometimes it is difficult to change those beliefs because they operate subconsciously. When you want to change the beliefs, but are having trouble believing something different, a technique called "reframing" is a simple, yet powerful way to change. Have you ever wanted to frame a picture or photograph and noticed that the type of matting and frame you use brings out certain colors or characteristics in the picture? The same is true when you reframe events in your life or beliefs you hold.
When you reframe a belief, you change your perceptions of it. There are two different ways of reframing.
First, reframing can involve finding an alternate meaning for the behavior you are interpreting to support your belief. For example, if you believe that someone not saying "hello" to you means that you aren't good enough to be acknowledged, look for an alternate interpretation of that behavior. It might be that the person didn't see you, is preoccupied with a problem, or is blind as a bat without their glasses. It might also be that you look different. I've had this happen when I've lost weight or changed my hair. The question to ask is "What else could this behavior mean?"
Second, you can also look for a context in which you would respond differently to the same behavior. For example, if I was out with friends, I might be relieved not to have the pressure of having to introduce my friends to them (and remember everyone's name). Or I might be relieved they ignored me if I was in a hurry or didn't look my best.
One of the things that reframing does is to change the emotional charge associated with the belief. In the above example, the emotion changes from feeling rejected and hurt to relief. I might even be happy they didn't recognize me if I'd been working on a make-over. When you change the emotion associated with the limiting belief, it allows you to see it differently. That allows you to consider other possibilities. Then, instead of having a belief that limits you, you now have beliefs that increase your possibilities.
Reframing takes some practice, but is a way to change your emotional state and also change the beliefs that limit you from success. What would you like to believe instead? What are the alternative ways of perceiving your situation?
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