Great examples! That helps a lot.

Thank you
Juliet

Thanks! I’d love to hear how it works for you. It’s served me very well, especially with asking better questions.

You bet! Here’s a few examples ….
I used to get frustrated when I would run into traffic, or when my computer would crash or when the printer wouldn’t print. Then I learned that a low frustration tolerance is one of the biggest causes for unhappiness. That was all it took for me to raise my frustration tolerance. Just that one new piece of information, changed my thinking, changed my feeling. It was instant and permanent. To change a feeling, I had to change a thought.

One of the ways I combat analysis paralysis is I count my actions. Sometimes I realize, all I did was think about something intensely, but didn’t take actions to either test my thinking or put my idea into action. whenever I’m stuck, I walk the frame very quickly and if I’m not taking action, I start, and if I’m taking action, but it’s not working, then I check whether it’s my technique or the situation itself. The Change Frame gives me an immediate lens.

In terms of adapting, adjusting or avoiding, I use this one a lot. If it’s a project where I won’t be using my strengths, I avoid it and find one that will. In one of my projects, I was the right person, but the situation was off. There were two people that could block the project success, so I adjusted the situation so they had input but weren’t controlling votes. In another scenario, I’m normally results-oriented, but the success for the project was more about the process than the results, so I adapted my approach. However, if adapting would have meant playing to my weaknesses instead of strengths, I would have avoided it or reset expectations. I’m a fan of follow your passions and strengths.

Adapting, adjusting or avoiding was a really important piece of insight because I used to just take on any challenge, because I like to test myself. With this lens I got smarter about evaluating options and for setting projects and myself up for success.

For another example, I mentor a lot of people at work, so I use the frame to quickly check whether somebody needs a new strategy, take more action, or change their situation. Before I had this lens, I ended up wasting time in the wrong place, simply because I didn’t have a map of where to look. Usually, when I just show somebody the frame, lightbulbs go off and they have fun analyzing their scenario from a new vantage point.

Does that help?

Interesting framework.
Would like to hear an example of your experience with it…

Juliet

I know what you mean. It’s great when things finally click. What’s happening lately for me is that learning things in new areas, makes old things click in other areas. It’s like having enough pieces in place to make out the puzzle.