Coaching Reflection #3: Reframing

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were glued to their televisions or devices, seeking the latest news and infection numbers.

A meme went viral on social media as well. It showed a man on a couch, staring at the TV and lamenting how it was impossible to stop worrying. This prompted someone else in the room grabbing the remote and flicked the TV off.

A shift in focus is one of the most underrated strategy to get unstuck. Endlessly toiling on an issue is like entangling the brain with more loose thread, adding oil to flame or my favorite - feeding the saboteurs.

There have been many secular and religious antidotes for worry. In the Bible, Luke speaks of a God that sees man as precious, knowing our needs, and asking the poignant question : “who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”

In coaching, many a times our clients come to us with an issue looming large. They are stuck and see no way out. One might be tempted to dig in and ‘helped’ solve the problem for them. Most of the time, the problem solving approach does not yield much results.

A teacher once wisely told me that instead of trying to solve the problem, why not shift focus and let the problem dis-solve itself? I didn’t realize then, but he was pointing me to a strategy of reframing and shifting focus.

The change in perspective can also come about when we examine our attitudes an underlying assumptions. In PEARLS coaching, I have seen shifts taking place in clients who were open to shining a light on these areas. How might the shift in perspective come about? Firstly, the coach can take the client in an exploration of different options using the technique of embodiment. This allows the client to employ all senses to not just see - but also feel, taste, smell, touch, hear - in novel and interesting ways! Taking on perspectives from objects and beings totally devoid of natural affinity in a non-judgmental fashion can often yield new insights which the client can use to evolve their thinking. In my experience, Balance Coaching using the Co-Active framework coupled with PEARLS Hexes offer a refreshing experience that goes beyond a brainstorming that only taps the cognitive mind.

Coming back to the pandemic, there has been many reports that pointed to the increased incidences of mental anguish in the community. As coaches, within our own networks - perhaps it is time for us to double down and reach out to those in need, and in offering empathy- also nudge them in a shift of focus.

Coach Tom's Inquiry: How might your organization and team begin to experience a positive shift by reframing the challenges before you??