Mind lines: lines for changing minds
By L. Michael Hall and Bobby Bodenhamer
Out framing
Context reframing is Meta stating. In what situation is the behavior useful
- model of the world framing is the ability to hold our maps more tentatively. Notice what happens when you say "this seems like my X". Or how long have you thought this car belonged to you? Our internal representations of things are not the things.
- criteria and values
When we reframe something as valuable it allows us to reorganize ourselves in terms of that value. You can texture the state of anger so it becomes something valuable and useful, for example respectful anger. "Stress causes me to eat chocolate". "Is avoiding stress more important than being healthy?" - "Allness" or universality framing
What if everyone did this all the time? This pattern pushes the belief to its limits. We typically expressed beliefs in absolute terms. "Allness" words don't make room for exceptions. - Necessity framing
We typically use one particular style to frame our world.
- Necessity - obligation and force (have to, must, ought to)
- Possibility - opportunities and desire (get to, want to, desire to)
- Impossibility - lack of possibilities or options (can't, won't, it's impossible)
- Identity framing
There is no such thing as sameness. We live in a world of processes; nothing is static. Can you describe self without using the to be (am, is, are) verbs? Whatever we identify with sets a self organizing frame. For instance "I am an accountant -- begin to see yourself as only that" - Framing all other abstractions
What principle would empower this person? What idea will make this belief more empowering?- The unreality frame uses words such as seems, appears, thinks, looks like. These words imply doubt and loosen up our beliefs.
- The self and other frame emphasizes the word "you". It suggests that your model of the world is different from my model of the world. So for you it seems that being late means I don't care?
- The tonal emphasis frame emphasizes different words to change the meaning. "So you think being late means I don't care?" is different from "So you think being late means I don't care?"
- In English we ask a question with a rising inflection at the end of a sentence. A command has falling inflection. "We are going to breakfast?" Is different from "we are going to breakfast". You can embed a question or command in a sentence so it is received unconsciously.
- Time Zones frame distinguishes current situations that are now occurring from situations in the future or past. For example "have you always thought about it this way?"
- The realization frame acknowledges the changes we make. We often don't realize the difference our efforts make, we discount our achievements and progress. How does it feel to realize this?
- Ecology framing Is this belief useful, empowering, limiting, balancing, enhancing? Does this way of thinking serve you?
Analogous framing - reframing using stories and metaphors
- metaphor framing
Involves conveying a message in terms of something else. Telling a story that has a similar structure to the problem. Stories are less threatening than advice.
Additional mind lines
- Both and framing
Instead of either/or, we find a middle ground that includes both options - Pseudo word framing
A" real" word has to function as a symbol of something. Failure is some vague thing to avoid. You can fail but not experience the nominalized entity of failure. Is it a legitimate concept you want in your world? - Negation framing
Command negation - do not X. You first have to represent it and then make it go away. Don't think of pink elephants dancing in the ocean. You can also frame a thing as invisible by creating and setting a negation frame. This can loosen up beliefs. - Possibility and "as if" framing
What would it be like if? If it were possible, what would you be thinking, feeling, doing? - Systemic and probability framing
Linear thinking enables us to sort and separate, sequence and program so we can create models and step-by-step procedures. Non-linear thinking enables simultaneous information. It connects previously separate and fragmented elements - Decision framing
We often theorize, analyze, diagnose and talk but don't decide and take action to do something. Deciding literally means cutting one thing from another. When we say "yes" to something we are saying no to another, we cut off our options. We cut away what is important from what is unimportant.
A clear cut decision empowers us to act on our decisions. We can also stand back to look at what decisions are currently driving our actions.
Using Mind Lines (Conversational Reframes)
When you offer someone a mind line, you are playing with meanings. You therefore need sufficient rapport, pacing and trust and respect. What are the benefits of the belief? What difficulties and limitations has it created?
Is the difficulty simple or complex? A phobia is a simple anchored response. Low self-esteem is complex with associations, levels and meanings.
Problem states can undermine and limit our effectiveness. Make sure you reframe your own stuff.
Return from Mind Lines: Lines for changing minds to NLP Books
