Context and Meaning

From the history of psychotherapy there’s a well-known story that illustrates the power of reframing. A woman was speaking to her therapist about the stress of having a constantly untidy home. Her rambunctious children were perpetually muddying the floors, no matter how much she admonished them. The situation had triggered an obsessive response, and she found herself cleaning several times a day, focusing on every possible detail, including picture frames and lightbulbs. The mess was driving her crazy, and she felt powerless to do anything about it.

The therapist asked her to close her eyes and imagine the following scene. He told her to visualize a thoroughly spotless kitchen, living room, and hallway. He said everything in her home was now perfectly in place, not a speck of dirt anywhere. The woman’s shoulders relaxed, and she exhaled in palpable relief. Then he said to her, “Let’s understand what this means. You are completely alone. The people you love are far, far away.” The woman tensed up immediately. She showed visible signs of regret. Then the therapist said, “Now I want you to imagine some footprints on the carpet. Let's understand what this means. The people you love are close by again.” For the first time in her life, she felt a more positive view of disorder beginning to take shape.

This is the power of reframing. It plays with the distinction between context and meaning. The variables stay the same, but their significance is radically altered. Being conscious of that distinction is especially important under increasingly stressful business conditions, many of which are beyond our control. Here are some potential reframes:

This is a puzzle, not a problem. How can I solve it?

This is feedback, not the finish. What new information have I gathered?

This is a detour, not my destiny. Where do I want to go next?

Perhaps you can think of others.