Get Unstuck With 10 Powerful Mindsets Reframes, a Quick Reality Check, and Some Habit-Forming Ideas
Mar 06, 2024Mindset reframes are like Jedi magic tricks for your mind
They make you see things differently and feel better about them. They help you turn lemons into lemonade and challenges into opportunities. They also help you transform yourself from a helpless bystander into a brilliant maker, shaker, and mover.
They’re like superfoods for your brain and your body. Reframes nourish your neurons, your hormones, and your immune system. They can boost your brain power, your chill factor, and your healing factor. They can also switch on your good genes, your healthy cells, and your fountain of youth. Yes! All this just by thinking better thoughts and using different words. Whuuuuut?!
In fact, mindset reframes are not just brain fuel but also rocket fuel for your behaviour and your outcomes. They fire up your motivation, your confidence, and your creativity. They can skyrocket your performance, your productivity, and your problem-solving. They can also spark joy in your relationships, your happiness, and your well-being.
Are you ready to unstick your stuck with some mind-shifting magic?
A Quick Reality Check
There are some downsides of mindset reframes…
Mindset reframes are awesome tools for changing your outlook and boosting your mood. But they are not magic bullets that can solve all your problems and make you happy all the time. In fact, there are some downsides to using mindset reframes that you should be aware of.
One downside of mindset reframes is that they can make you ignore or deny reality. Sometimes, things are not as rosy as you want them to be, and pretending that they are can make you miss important information, feedback, or opportunities. For example, if you reframe your boss’s criticism as a compliment, you might not learn from your mistakes and improve your performance (although it will make you walk with a swagger for the day!).
Another downside of mindset reframes is that they can make you overconfident or unrealistic (there’s that swagger again!). Sometimes, things are not as easy as you think they are, and believing hey are can make you underestimate the risks, challenges, or efforts involved. For example, if you reframe your goal of becoming a millionaire as a piece of cake, you might not plan ahead, see opportunities as they arise, or take the right action to get you there.
A third downside of mindset reframes is that they can make you insensitive or arrogant. Sometimes, things are not as simple as you see them, and assuming that they are can make you disregard other people’s feelings, opinions, or perspectives. For example, if you reframe your friend’s sadness as a sign of weakness, you might not empathize with them, and give them the support they need.
It’s all balance between positive thinking, being realistic, and not being a d*ck!
10 Powerful Reframes
The moment you’ve been waiting for!
Wanna try these reframes on for size?
Here’s what you do: Take a look at the phrase eg. “I am”, think about how to reframe it based on the prompt below “Reframe it as a passing feeling not a definition of who you are.”, and then try it on for size with a sentence.
So in the first example: “I am > I feel” “I am angry > I feel angry”.
Suggested answers are at the end but no cheating until you’ve given them a spin!
[WARNING: May cause user to feel magnificent]
I am > I ________________
eg. I am angry
Reframe an emotion as a passing feeling not a definition of who you are.
__________________________________________________________________
I have to > I ________________
eg. I have to go to work
Reframe if as a statement of gratitude and no longer a chore.
__________________________________________________________________
I think > I ________________
eg. I think I can to do this
Reframe if as coming from a place of confidence rather than doubt.
__________________________________________________________________
I want to > I ________________
eg. I want to build a banging side hustle
Reframe if to tell your brain you’ve already started even if you haven’t!
__________________________________________________________________
I don’t know how to > I ________________
eg. I don’t know how to sell digital products
Reframe if as a statement of possibility rather than limitation.
__________________________________________________________________
I should > I ________________
eg. I should go to the gym today
Reframe if as a statement of choice rather than obligation.
__________________________________________________________________
I need to > I ________________
eg. I need to eat healthy food
Reframe it as a statement of empowerment rather than pressure.
__________________________________________________________________
I hope to > I ________________
eg. I hope to travel the world someday
Reframe if as a statement of intention rather than wishful thinking.
__________________________________________________________________
I wish to > I ________________
eg. I wish to achieve my goals
Reframe if as a statement of determination rather than desire.
__________________________________________________________________
I try to > I ________________
eg. I try my best every day
Reframe if as a statement of action rather than effort.
__________________________________________________________________
Go Down the Habit Hole!
Time for the real work to begin…
As you can see mindset reframes are great tools for changing your outlook and boosting your mood. But they are not something that you can just use once and forget about. They are like muscles that need to be exercised regularly to stay strong and flexible.
So how can you incorporate practicing reframes in your daily life?
Make reframing into a habit!
(not a rabbit, a habit)
1. Become more mindful and listen to how you speak to yourself
You might be surprised by how often you say negative or limiting things to yourself. But don’t worry, you can change that by self-correcting.
Whenever you catch yourself thinking or saying something that makes you feel bad or holds you back, stop and reframe it into something that makes you feel good or pushes you forward.
For example, if you think that you can’t do something, reframe it as you can learn how to do it.
2. Write reframes on post-it notes and stick them on your mirror
This way, you can see them every day and remind yourself of how awesome you are.
You can also use them as affirmations or mantras to boost your confidence and motivation.
For example, if you need to reframe your fear of failure, you can write “I’m not failing, I’m learning” on a post-it note and stick it on your mirror. Then, every morning, look at yourself in the mirror and say it out loud with conviction.
3. Journal about meaningful reframes that you can use as motivation
Journaling can help you process your emotions, gain insights, and find solutions.
You can use journaling to explore how a negative situation can be reframed into a positive one and how that can help you grow and achieve your goals.
For example, if you had a setback in your career, you can journal about how you can use it as a motivation to work harder or smarter, learn new skills, or pursue new opportunities.
To Summarise
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Reframes are like Jedi magic tricks
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There are some downsides to reframing
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Play the reframe game
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Make reframing a habit
Suggested answers…
I am > I feel
eg. I feel angry.
It's now a passing feeling not a definition of who you are.
I have to > I get to
eg. I get to go to work.
It's now a statement of gratitude and no longer a chore.
I think > I know
eg. I know how to do this.
It's now coming from a place of confidence rather than doubt.
I want to > I am
eg. I am building a banging side hustle.
It's telling your brain you’ve already started even if you haven’t!
I don’t know how to > I don’t know how to, yet!
eg. I don’t know how to sell digital products, yet!
It’s now a statement of possibility rather than limitation. (sorry that one was a trick one!)
I should > I could
eg. I could go to the gym today.
It’s now a statement of choice rather than obligation.
I need to > I choose to
eg. I choose to eat healthy food.
It’s now a statement of empowerment rather than pressure.
I hope to > I plan to
eg. I plan to travel the world someday.
It’s now a statement of intention rather than wishful thinking.
I try to > I do
eg. I do my best every day.
It’s now a statement of action rather than effort.
I wish to > I will
eg. I will achieve my goals.
It’s now a statement of determination rather than desire.
Aaaaaand cut! That’s all folks… I’ll let Henry have the final word 👇🏼
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” - Henry Ford
And a final word from me too! 👇🏼
Mindset reframes are excellent for checking ourselves and training our thinking. Real and lasting change comes at identity level. That's how you reinvent yourself!
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