Reframing

One of the greatest abilities that we have as humans is the ability to change our minds about something. Choosing to think about something differently or change our minds is a human prerogative. Sometimes those thought changes are influenced by outside events. Sometimes those changes come from within you.

The premise of reframing is to attempt to see a situation from a different perspective.

How?

• Start with your values. What is important to you? Are you living those core values every day? Is there space in your life to live those values to their fullest extent? If the answer to that question is no, why not? Where is the gap between where you're at and where you want to be?

• What are your goals? What do you need to do in order to achieve those goals? Are there any roadblocks to achieving your goals?

If you've identified something blocking you from living your values, achieving happiness, or reaching your goals you've identified a problem. That's actually a really good thing. Problems can be solved, and approaching any situation from a problem solving perspective is inherently empowering. If you're an instructional designer (the target audience for this presentation), you've got a huge advantage. You're likely already a master problem solver.

One of the biggest things that keeps us from solving problems in our life is fear. That fear is often warranted. Financial security, status, being care givers to our family members - all of these raise the stakes in our jobs and careers to make the right decisions, to preserve relationships, to keep working hard. Starting just within yourself and how you see things and approach things is probably the safest thing you can do to start solving a problem.

There's also sometimes a perspective that it's the role of our institutions, managers, bosses, etc. to solve these problems for us. If we want a raise or a promotion, that's something the institution needs to provide. But that problem is a collaborative one. It's not all on you, and it's not all on them. You need to do your part - and if you do your part, over and over again, eventually something will change. Mental reframing isn't about changing your mind about one thing. It's about intentionally solving problems in your life and in your work by changing how you think and feel about something, then maintaining that perspective over and over again, every day.

Even something as simple as choosing to be happy can have remarkable impacts on your life and career. Identifying your values and goals, and then changing your why can provide immense satisfaction.