Reframing in positive psychology is a powerful technique used to change how you interpret or think about a situation.
Reframing literally means to change the frame.
In other words, changing the way in which you explain an event, thought, or emotion.
You can use the framework of personalisation in a structured way to seek a different explanation for a past event.
This is a structured way to seek a different explanation of an event - in particular whether an issue is personal to yourself or not.
We will illustrate this by giving the following example:
Madelaine was asked to give a presentation to the board of directors.
There is a person in the audience who continuously interrupts Madelaine while she is speaking.
This affected the flow of the presentation.
Madelaine felt that the presentation did not go well.
Madelaine felt foolish and disheartened.
Madelaine was in a bad mood for the rest of the day.
That night Madelaine decided to meditate on the events of the day using conscious reflection.
she used the framework of personalisation.
She asked herself the question:
How was the presentation not a success?
Madelaine contemplated whether the lack of success of the presentation was personal.
She worked out that he had prepared well for the presentation.
She had rehearsed her speech.
She had a colleague critique her presentation and slides before the main event.
She had done everything right.
Madelaine came to the conclusion that the outcome of this event was not due to personal failure.
There were other circumstances outside of her control that made the presentation not go well.
She is not personally responsible for the outcome of this event.
Madelaine could relax his feelings of being foolish and disheartened.
Instead, she reframed the explanation to a feeling of disappointment.
This lifted the intensity of Madelaine mood from one of dejection to one of mild annoyance.
In our program, you can use the personalization method of reframing:
to analyse the explanations of your events
find a more positive meaning
lift your mood
promote optimism and hope.
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