People going through change often get stuck in their current state because their current point of view keeps them from seeing other possibilities for moving forward. The stories they tell themselves about their experience of the change can reinforce their resistance. When someone is stuck in their point of view, reframe it.
Reframing means helping people see things from new perspectives. The following steps outline the general process of reframing:
- Acknowledge that they are stuck.
- Understand their current point of view.
- Offer alternative viewpoints.
- Explore what might be true, useful and important about the alternative viewpoints.
- Help them to choose the best perspective for moving forward.
For example, someone might feel like the change is happening to them, like they are being changed. Their current perspective is that they have no control over what is happening to them. You might reframe their perspective by exploring what they do have control over, or by suggesting ways they might get more involved and have a say in what is happening to them.
How might you reframe current points of view?
Read more of the 99 Ways to Influence Change.