The Neuroscience Behind Reframing: How to Shape Your Future, by Candice Murray

The most powerful thing I've learned in 20 years of self-development is the art of reframing. This is putting on my big rose-tinted glasses and choosing how I view the events of my life.

I was doing this ages before I understood the psychology behind it. I just knew it made me feel better, more positive, in control, and happier. Slowly but surely, I saw my "stories" turn into my actual life. It isn’t just positive thinking ... it’s a super powerful tool that continues to help me shape the life I want.

It’s been a cool journey learning why it’s so powerful and in this article, I share that with you.

Your Life, your story

It’s easy to think it’s the “bad” events that cause you grief – stress, worry, anxiety, self-doubt. The mind-bender is that it’s not the events, it’s your thoughts about them. Your thoughts lead to your emotions, which drive your actions.

Situation – Thoughts – Emotions – Behaviours.

Let’s say you’re made redundant.

Unhelpful story: There aren’t many jobs. What if it takes ages to find one?

Better story: What a great opportunity to do something new. There are so many options. I’ll look back and see how perfectly everything worked out.

Same situation, different story. Here’s why choosing a better story works.

The power of reframing

Reframing is looking at a situation from a positive angle. It’s not about ignoring reality; it’s about choosing the most empowering interpretation. This isn’t just a mind game; there’s some powerful stuff going on ‘under the hood’.

Reframing and the brain

Your brain filters about 11 million bits of info a second but only lets through to your conscious awareness around 8–40. A part of your brain, the Reticular Activating System (RAS) decides what gets through. It’s why you suddenly see your new car model everywhere. The trick is making sure your RAS filters helpful stuff.

If you think you have no options, your RAS will show you closed doors. Tell yourself and others there are lots of opportunities, and you’ll see the open ones.

The great thing is over time, as you keep choosing better stories, neuroplasticity strengthens those positive pathways. It becomes second nature – you become better at automatically seeing the positive in the events and circumstances of your life.

Reframing and the subconscious mind

You’re 90–95% subconscious. When you keep saying things always work out for you, you’re programming your subconscious to take aligned actions. What you believe, you move towards.

How to reframe

When something not-awesome happens, choose to see it in a good light. Trust that life is happening for you, even when it feels hard. Repeat your better story to yourself and others – your brain and subconscious are listening.

I’ve been made redundant but it’s a good thing. It was time for a change. I’ll land a job I love and look back knowing it all worked out perfectly.

Final words

You now have the formula to create a better career and life by choosing better stories.