Crunch Time

“Reframing” Changes Everything

Everyone faces high-pressure conditions sometimes. Though you may aim for optimal performance under those circumstances, your results can be disappointing. In many instances, people are their own worst enemies; they allow pressure to influence their results.

Elite performers master the art of reframing: approaching a situation with a different mind-set that makes it more manageable. The technique of reframing is available to everyone. It has nothing to do with your physical skills or abilities – you simply have to practice. Reframing means trying to find the best solution in a “less-than-ideal situation.”

Changing your perspective produces better decisions and better outcomes. Modified thinking helps you deal with self-imposed pressure. However, reframing can’t enable you to do better work when you’re stressed than you do when you aren’t stressed. Your goal is to perform equally well either way.

Reframing is valuable because:

• Anyone can learn to reframe – rich or poor, healthy or unhealthy, that doesn’t matter.
• You can change your thoughts – and thus your stress level – immediately.