Framing.

Framing. 

Perspective. 

Your view point.

Like a painting, each painter, viewer and critic has a different perspective. 

Like a camera, you can change lenses for a different view…but will you…? 

In the vast tapestry of our lives, framing acts as the intricate brushstrokes that shape our perspectives. Just as a well-chosen frame enhances a painting, our environment, family, and interactions weave the framework of our outlook. Today, let's delve into the art of framing—how it molds our reality and, more importantly, how we can consciously reshape it for a more empowered life. We don’t have to carry our early programming forward in our lives.

Understanding Your Canvas:

Imagine your life as a canvas, and framing as the border that defines its boundaries. Our upbringing, experiences, and relationships intricately contribute to this framing. Growing up in Los Angeles, the vibrant hues of city life painted my early canvas. Moving to Chicago added a different palette—seasonal changes, a bustling city, and a new rhythm of life. Each brushstroke, whether from the West Coast or the Midwest, contributed to my unique perspective.

Reflect on your own canvas. 

What colors dominate? 

How have your surroundings influenced your worldview? 

Acknowledging this is the first step to understanding your current framing.

The Family Brushstrokes:

Family, the profound artists in our lives, play a significant role in framing. Their beliefs, values, and expectations contribute distinct hues to our canvas. I spent most of my adult life unlearning and relearning in efforts to change my trajectory. Our family narratives, environment, influence and opinions often shape our ambitions, fears, and definitions of success.

Consider your family's influence on your framing. What narratives have shaped your beliefs about success, happiness, or failure? Identifying these familial brushstrokes helps unveil the layers of your framing. 

People as Palette:

Our interactions with others introduce a rich array of colors to our canvas. From mentors who inspire bold strokes of courage to critics who challenge our self-perception, people become the dynamic palette of our framing. As a business coach, I've witnessed firsthand how the right connections can add vibrancy to one's entrepreneurial journey. Finding the right people, getting in the right rooms, creating opportunities where there seemed none have all played major factors in growth for me. All while changing and expanding my viewpoint.

Evaluate the people in your life. 

Who contributes positive strokes to your canvas? 

Are there individuals whose influence may be casting shadows on your framing? 

Recognizing the impact of these interactions allows you to curate a supportive network.

Shifting Perspectives:

Now, let's explore the transformative power of shifting perspectives. Much like adjusting the angle of a painting, altering our framing can reveal new dimensions of possibility. In 2007, my team faced a challenge with a university mandate to reduce their carbon footprint. Instead of approaching it as a mere sale, we reframed it as a problem to solve. Solve, don’t sell. You can read that newsletter HERE.

What if, in your life, challenges are reframed as opportunities? Consider a current obstacle and explore how viewing it through a different lens might unveil hidden solutions. 

Exploration:

Reflect and Identify:

Take a moment to reflect on your canvas. What predominant colors and patterns do you notice? Identify the key influences—environment, family, and interactions—that have shaped your framing.

Challenge Assumptions:

Examine beliefs and assumptions ingrained by your family or surroundings. Which ones serve you positively, and which may limit your potential? Challenge and reassess them. Just make a list and keep going back to it over time. Watch your perspective shift.

Curate Your Palette:

Evaluate your social circles. Surround yourself with those who uplift and inspire. If certain relationships contribute negative hues, consider how you can minimize their impact or create boundaries.

By understanding the intricate artistry of framing, we gain the power to redefine our narrative. Let this exploration be your brushstroke towards a canvas that reflects the life you envision—vibrant, dynamic, and uniquely yours.

Self-discovery and growth. 

Let’s explore some deeper layers and see what we uncover.

Unearthing Core Beliefs:

Beyond identifying external influences, I encourage you to delve into your core beliefs. What fundamental truths about yourself and the world around you have been ingrained? These beliefs often serve as the underpainting, influencing the overall tone of your canvas.

Embracing Vulnerability:

Embrace vulnerability as an essential element in the creative process of self-discovery. Just as an artist bares their soul on canvas, acknowledging vulnerability allows for authentic exploration and growth. Share your personal experiences where vulnerability led to transformative shifts in your framing. I do it and use myself as an example in coaching sessions daily.

Narrative Rewriting:

What if you rewrote your life narrative? The story you tell yourself is a powerful force in shaping your reality. I encourage you to reassess and reframe your past experiences, recognizing the potential for growth and resilience within your personal narrative.

Cultivating Mindfulness:

Mindfulness is a tool for observing and understanding your framing in real-time. Mindfulness practices can empower you to recognize habitual thought patterns and choose intentional perspectives. Platforms like 10% Happier or Balance offer practical exercises or meditation techniques to enhance your mindfulness journey.

Connecting with Nature:

I love the outdoors and being in nature. There is a transformative power within nature that helps shape perspectives. Spend time in natural settings, fostering a connection with the world beyond your daily routines. Nature often serves as a profound teacher, offering lessons in adaptability and resilience.

Community Engagement:

There's a massive impact in community engagement for personal growth. I see this in my coaching community with our members. Whether through shared experiences, collaborative projects, or meaningful conversations, engaging with a community provides diverse perspectives and a supportive network. You can actively participate in or create communities that align with your growth objectives. I challenge you to go and join 2-3 new groups and do some exploring. Facebook, LinkedIn or Meetup websites are great places to start.

By exploring these nuanced aspects, you can embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and expansion. Remember, the canvas of personal growth is ever-evolving, and each intentional brushstroke contributes to a masterpiece uniquely your own.

Changing your framing.

This is a transformative process, and getting started involves intentional steps. Here are some basic steps to guide you on the journey of shifting your framing:

Self-Reflection:

I encourage you to embark on a journey of self-reflection. Begin by asking thought-provoking questions about your beliefs, values, and perceptions. I invite you to journal your thoughts, providing a tangible space for introspection. For me, writing brings clarity.

Awareness of Influences:

Identify the key influences shaping your current framing. This includes family narratives, societal expectations, and personal experiences. Increased awareness allows for a more conscious understanding of the elements contributing to their perspective. I like mind maps for this. Grab a sheet of paper, draw a circle in the middle, write your name, then start drawing lines connected to names of influence in your life. From there, I start to ask some questions. What have I learned from this person? Positive or negative influence? Are they in my future? Do I want to invest in that relationship? Do they invest in me? I have created a lot of space doing this exercise that has allowed new people in my life and cleared the path for growth.

Challenge Assumptions:

Actively challenge assumptions and limiting beliefs. This involves questioning the validity of long-held beliefs and exploring alternative perspectives. Approach challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities for growth. Challenges create the foundation of your future self. Embrace it and take ownership.

Positive Affirmations:

Positive affirmations. There is a lot of stigma around this. I will tell you we all speak the same language regardless of culture; we all use words. The words we use with ourselves are the most important conversations we have. What are you saying to yourself everyday? Creating and repeating affirmations that align with the framing you want to cultivate can have a powerful impact. These affirmations serve as daily reminders of your chosen narrative and contribute to reshaping thought patterns. Try it. Maybe start with “I AM”.

Mindfulness Practices:

Explore mindfulness techniques to enhance present-moment awareness. Mindfulness allows us to observe our thoughts realtime without judgment, creating space for intentional framing. Simple practices like focused breathing or mindful meditation can be effective starting points.

Gratitude Journaling:

I encourage the habit of gratitude journaling. Shifting your focus towards gratitude can reshape perspectives by highlighting positive aspects of life. I suggest daily entries where you express appreciation for various aspects of your experiences. I begin my day with three things I am grateful for.

Seeking Diverse Perspectives:

Explore diverse perspectives. Engage in conversations with people from different backgrounds, read books representing various viewpoints, and actively seek out experiences that challenge their preconceptions. Exposure to diversity fosters a more expansive framing. Start with a book you would not normally read, a music genre you may not normally listen to or a show or movie that may not be in your favorites.

Small Incremental Changes:

I cannot emphasize the power of small, incremental changes. Changing framing is a gradual process, and small shifts can lead to significant transformations over time. Celebrate every positive change, no matter how small, as it contributes to the overall shift. We are stacking bricks, not carrying walls.

Visualization Techniques:

Everything is created twice. First in the imagination, then in reality. Visualization is real. Vividly imagine the framing you aspire to have. Visualization helps create a mental image of the desired perspective, making it more tangible and achievable. This is a whole article and study in itself, however I encourage you to start with 5 minutes a day. I visualize at night, when I wake up and focus on achieving the three things I chose as important for that day. Just three. It removes the overwhelm and I got rid of to-do lists a long time ago. Now I have DONE lists.

Supportive Community:

Surround yourself with individuals who uplift, inspire, and challenge you positively. A supportive community provides encouragement and reinforcement during the framing transformation. This is a journey, and each step forward contributes to a more intentional and empowered perspective on life.

Action Items:

Daily Positive Affirmations:

Create a set of positive affirmations aligned with the framing you aspire to adopt. These affirmations should reflect empowering beliefs about yourself, your abilities, and your potential. Repeat these affirmations daily, preferably in the morning or before significant tasks. Consistent affirmation practice reinforces positive thought patterns, contributing to a shifted framing over time. “I AM” affirmations are a great place to start. One that has impacted me the most is “I AM ENOUGH”.

Conscious Challenge of Assumptions:

Identify a specific assumption or limiting belief you hold. Consciously challenge and question the validity of this assumption. Explore alternative perspectives and gather evidence that contradicts your initial belief. This process of cognitive restructuring allows for a more intentional and open-minded approach to framing. You decide what lens you look through everyday. It just takes time to change it. Give yourself that space.

Mindful Reflection Journaling:

Introduce a daily or weekly mindful reflection journaling practice. Set aside dedicated time for reflection, where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment. Focus on moments of gratitude, positive shifts, and areas where you consciously apply a new framing perspective. This reflective practice enhances self-awareness and reinforces intentional framing choices.

By incorporating these actionable steps into your daily lives, you can actively engage in the process of changing your framing. Consistency and patience are key, and each small step contributes to the broader transformation you seek.

Thank you for reading.

I hope you found value in this.

Please share with someone this may help.