“Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible. This power becomes available to you just as soon as you can change your beliefs.” Dr. Maxwell Maltz

Reframing is a technique commonly used in coaching, where people discover that by changing their perspective, problems become opportunities!

A few years ago, I was invited to speak at a local church, for a kick off program called Lead Like Jesus, based on the book of the same name, by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges. It changed how I looked at my life and my coaching practice, which shifted toward helping people to see the spirituality in life. I found that any goal becomes more exciting and attainable, when viewed in a spiritual light.

Prior to that, I went on a scuba diving trip in the Florida Keys. There was an interesting coral formation very near to where we descended from the boat, but seemingly void of any fish. Instead of scurrying away to find the most colorful fish, I felt drawn to patiently wait and watch. Soon I was aware that something was also watching me! It was the biggest Jewfish I had ever seen, nestled quietly underneath the formation, resembling Elmer Fudd with his pouting lower lip! We both watched each other intently for a period of time – it was indeed a spiritual experience.

By reframing life to stay present in the moment, there is a reward. In the case of scuba diving, I reframed how I approached that dive, looking for what was right in front of me, rather than what may be up ahead. I’ve done the same thing with my weaknesses, embracing and reframing them to be strengths. It is in my imperfections that people are able to relate to me! I saw perfection for what it really is – unattainable! As stated in previous blogs, I seek excellence today, which is possible, where perfection just is not.

In 1993, I reframed dieting, which never really worked very well – each diet ultimately resulted in a weight gain! Sure, initially I’d lose weight, but as soon as the diet was over, I’d return to my old eating habits, gain back what I lost and a few more pounds for good measure. That has to be insanity, to repeat something that was unsuccessful, over and over, hoping that this time it will be different. My thinking shifted to a spiritual approach to eating. I not only lost over 100 lbs, but also, for the first time in my life, did not return to my old eating habits that had doomed me to a life of morbid obesity. In actuality, I had reframed my outlook on eating many years before I even know what reframing was! If you want to read more about this, you can order my book, Trust God and Buy Broccoli, A Spiritual Approach to Weight Loss.

Perhaps there is something you want to change in your life. Maybe it’s time to reframe it! Please let us know how that worked for you!

Here are a few websites on reframing that you might enjoy, along with the book, Lead Like Jesus.

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_05.htm – reframing tools for business

http://www.vivocoaching.com/blog/tag/reframing-perspective/ – Life is a journey

http://www.amazon.com/Lead-Like-Jesus-Greatest-Leadership/dp/0849900409 – by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges