Peak performance coach Dave Cross taught me about reframing. It’s a mental technique in which you simply look at a familiar landscape in a different way — a way that’s better for you.

Cross told the story of bringing his team into a hostile gym for a crucial game. The fans were making lots of noise with their shouting, chants and stomping on the bleachers. Cross could see that the racket was affecting his players.

He gathered them into a huddle and delivered words that changed the landscape.

“The reason they’re making so much noise,” Cross told his team, “is they don’t think they can beat us on their own.”

With those words, Cross took all the power from the fans and gave it to his players. Suddenly the other team wasn’t overpowering any more; it was merely trying to hide its weakness.

Needless to say, Cross’ team on the game.

Now, years after Cross taught me all about reframing, I learn that there is an entire website devoted to reframing!

This can be a great resource for coaches, players and leaders of all kinds. If you don’t like the picture, try changing the frame.

Someone once said, “There is no such thing as bad weather. There are all different kinds of interesting weather.”

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Mike Tully speaks to sports, business and educational groups. He also works with coaches, athletes and teams to make their practice time more productive and efficient. He and Gary Pritchard are co-authors of “Ten Things Great Coaches Know.” To see Coach Tully and Coach Pritchard discuss “Seven Ways to Prepare for Adversity,” click here.