Usual Frame: I fail at 90 percent of the things I try.
Reframe: I only need to succeed 10 percent of the time.
Usual Frame: Manage your time.
Reframe: Manage your energy.
Usual Frame: I need to come up with a good idea.
Reframe: I need to release all my bad ideas as quickly as possible.
Usual Frame: Success requires setting goals.
Reframe: Systems are better than goals.
Usual Frame: The effort is so big and daunting I can’t even start. Reframe: What’s the smallest thing I can do that moves me in the right direction?
Usual Frame: I can’t think of anything good to write.
Reframe 3: I can write something bad and fix it.
Usual Frame: Find yourself.
Reframe: Author yourself.
Usual Frame: I have nothing to do. I am just standing here.
Reframe: Perfect time to practice proper breathing and posture.
Usual Frame: Alcohol is a beverage.
Reframe: Alcohol is poison.
Usual Frame: Your job is what your boss tells you it is. Reframe: Your job is to get a better job.
Usual Frame: Another problem! Why me???
Reframe: Ooh, a new puzzle to solve.
Usual Frame: It takes money to make money.
Reframe: I can turn energy into money.
Usual Frame: Don’t give something for nothing.
Reframe: Giving triggers reciprocity (on average).
Usual Frame: Luck is random and can’t be managed.
Reframe: You can go where there is more luck (more energy).
Usual Frame: I feel like an impostor at my job.
Reframe: Everyone is an impostor.
Usual Frame: Your mood is determined by your internal thoughts. Reframe: You can improve your mood by completing meaningful tasks.
Usual Frame: I have writer’s block.
Reframe 2: I’m trying to write at the wrong time of day.
Usual Frame: Some people are good, and some are not.
Reframe: We’re all flawed, and we’re all good at different things.
Usual Frame: I hate someone who deserves it.
Reframe: Hate is nothing but punishing myself for the misdeeds of others.
Usual Frame: I worry something will go wrong.
Reframe: I’m curious what will happen.
Usual Frame: Worry about all potential bad outcomes.
Reframe: Control the heck out of things you can control. Accept all outcomes.
Usual Frame: I am in pain.
Reframe: I am in pain for a minute.
Usual Frame: You are the center of your universe and the highest priority.
Reframe: Viewed from space, everything looks small, including your problems
Usual Frame: You need to stop thinking negative thoughts.
Reframe: You can’t subtract negative thoughts. But you can crowd them out.
Usual Frame: I’m afraid to do the thing I know I should do.
Reframe: Life is short.
Usual Frame: No one wants to talk to me. I’m boring.
Reframe: Everyone enjoys talking to people who show interest in them.
Usual Frame: People judge me, so I feel bad when I mess up.
Reframe: People only care about themselves. They don’t care what dumb thing I did recently, even if they mention it.
Usual Frame: Stress comes with the job.
Reframe: Reducing stress IS your job.
Usual Frame: Learn to love yourself as you are.
Reframe: Be glad your brain is pestering you to improve.
Usual Frame: I am crying because my relationship ended.
Reframe: Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened.
Usual Frame: I deserve to be treated well by others.
Reframe: You get what you give, on average. No one deserves anything.
Usual Frame: Be yourself.
Reframe: Become a better version of yourself.
Reframe: I only need to succeed 10 percent of the time.
Usual Frame: Manage your time.
Reframe: Manage your energy.
Usual Frame: I need to come up with a good idea.
Reframe: I need to release all my bad ideas as quickly as possible.
Usual Frame: Success requires setting goals.
Reframe: Systems are better than goals.
Usual Frame: The effort is so big and daunting I can’t even start. Reframe: What’s the smallest thing I can do that moves me in the right direction?
Usual Frame: I can’t think of anything good to write.
Reframe 3: I can write something bad and fix it.
Usual Frame: Find yourself.
Reframe: Author yourself.
Usual Frame: I have nothing to do. I am just standing here.
Reframe: Perfect time to practice proper breathing and posture.
Usual Frame: Alcohol is a beverage.
Reframe: Alcohol is poison.
Usual Frame: Your job is what your boss tells you it is. Reframe: Your job is to get a better job.
Usual Frame: Another problem! Why me???
Reframe: Ooh, a new puzzle to solve.
Usual Frame: It takes money to make money.
Reframe: I can turn energy into money.
Usual Frame: Don’t give something for nothing.
Reframe: Giving triggers reciprocity (on average).
Usual Frame: Luck is random and can’t be managed.
Reframe: You can go where there is more luck (more energy).
Usual Frame: I feel like an impostor at my job.
Reframe: Everyone is an impostor.
Usual Frame: Your mood is determined by your internal thoughts. Reframe: You can improve your mood by completing meaningful tasks.
Usual Frame: I have writer’s block.
Reframe 2: I’m trying to write at the wrong time of day.
Usual Frame: Some people are good, and some are not.
Reframe: We’re all flawed, and we’re all good at different things.
Usual Frame: I hate someone who deserves it.
Reframe: Hate is nothing but punishing myself for the misdeeds of others.
Usual Frame: I worry something will go wrong.
Reframe: I’m curious what will happen.
Usual Frame: Worry about all potential bad outcomes.
Reframe: Control the heck out of things you can control. Accept all outcomes.
Usual Frame: I am in pain.
Reframe: I am in pain for a minute.
Usual Frame: You are the center of your universe and the highest priority.
Reframe: Viewed from space, everything looks small, including your problems
Usual Frame: You need to stop thinking negative thoughts.
Reframe: You can’t subtract negative thoughts. But you can crowd them out.
Usual Frame: I’m afraid to do the thing I know I should do.
Reframe: Life is short.
Usual Frame: No one wants to talk to me. I’m boring.
Reframe: Everyone enjoys talking to people who show interest in them.
Usual Frame: People judge me, so I feel bad when I mess up.
Reframe: People only care about themselves. They don’t care what dumb thing I did recently, even if they mention it.
Usual Frame: Stress comes with the job.
Reframe: Reducing stress IS your job.
Usual Frame: Learn to love yourself as you are.
Reframe: Be glad your brain is pestering you to improve.
Usual Frame: I am crying because my relationship ended.
Reframe: Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened.
Usual Frame: I deserve to be treated well by others.
Reframe: You get what you give, on average. No one deserves anything.
Usual Frame: Be yourself.
Reframe: Become a better version of yourself.
Framing "𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴" & "𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻".
𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 - Reasoning from the most fundamental truths, when you break a problem down to its core drivers, and build conclusions from the ground up. Useful in eliminating pre-conceived biases and filters.
𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - The process of spotting familiar patterns, trends, or cues from the past to form an opinion on something. Draws on prior experience, intuition or heuristics to project into the future.
𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 - Reasoning from the most fundamental truths, when you break a problem down to its core drivers, and build conclusions from the ground up. Useful in eliminating pre-conceived biases and filters.
𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - The process of spotting familiar patterns, trends, or cues from the past to form an opinion on something. Draws on prior experience, intuition or heuristics to project into the future.
Frame of Short games vs long games
The lame play short game.
Insecure people hold grudges over small things. It makes them feel powerful. Pettiness is easy. It needs no patience, no grace, no vision. It feels good for a moment. But it slowly rots your character.
Real strength is harder.
It shows restraint when provoked. Generosity when wronged.
Anyone can win. Few earn respect.
Growth stalls when you blame others. If feedback makes you defensive, you probably need it most.
Play long games. Focus on mastery.
Mastery can’t be bought. It can’t be rushed. It can’t be inherited. No one can steal it. Only hard work earns it.
Mastery is the real status.
No one will remember your salary. Or how busy you were. Or how many hours you worked.
They won’t remember you at all.
You conquered no lands. Built no nations. Fought for nothing greater than yourself. You were here. Then you were dust.
So spend your time well with what you love.
The lame play short game.
Insecure people hold grudges over small things. It makes them feel powerful. Pettiness is easy. It needs no patience, no grace, no vision. It feels good for a moment. But it slowly rots your character.
Real strength is harder.
It shows restraint when provoked. Generosity when wronged.
Anyone can win. Few earn respect.
Growth stalls when you blame others. If feedback makes you defensive, you probably need it most.
Play long games. Focus on mastery.
Mastery can’t be bought. It can’t be rushed. It can’t be inherited. No one can steal it. Only hard work earns it.
Mastery is the real status.
No one will remember your salary. Or how busy you were. Or how many hours you worked.
They won’t remember you at all.
You conquered no lands. Built no nations. Fought for nothing greater than yourself. You were here. Then you were dust.
So spend your time well with what you love.
"Framing is magical stuff. It determines people’s experiences and even shapes how they think.”
— Zoe Chance, Influence Is Your Superpowe
_____
"The things we love weave themselves into the framework of our being. They are the trellises on which our thoughts grow; we shape ourselves, our habits, our vocabularies, to accommodate them.”
— Alexandra Petri, A Field Guide to Awkward Silences
— Zoe Chance, Influence Is Your Superpowe
_____
"The things we love weave themselves into the framework of our being. They are the trellises on which our thoughts grow; we shape ourselves, our habits, our vocabularies, to accommodate them.”
— Alexandra Petri, A Field Guide to Awkward Silences
❤1
[Framing African Tech Market]
"Point A is where new tech is ready to be adopted by the market today, triggering a leapfrog. This was the ZIRP-era approach to African VC. Point D is the opposite, where both tech and markets are not yet ready for change and so we are told we must be patient for Africa’s demographic destiny to be realized decades into the future. This is an approach that’s largely reflected by philanthropic capital.
Let’s fade both of these inflection points for the reasons we covered in the first half about why we believe they suffer from the Frontier Blindside.
So this brings us to Points B and C. These are the inflection points that rightly assume Africa’s digital opportunity sits in a space between atoms and bits and will continue to do so for quite some time. However, not every startup is built to thrive in this space and this is where things get interesting."
"Point A is where new tech is ready to be adopted by the market today, triggering a leapfrog. This was the ZIRP-era approach to African VC. Point D is the opposite, where both tech and markets are not yet ready for change and so we are told we must be patient for Africa’s demographic destiny to be realized decades into the future. This is an approach that’s largely reflected by philanthropic capital.
Let’s fade both of these inflection points for the reasons we covered in the first half about why we believe they suffer from the Frontier Blindside.
So this brings us to Points B and C. These are the inflection points that rightly assume Africa’s digital opportunity sits in a space between atoms and bits and will continue to do so for quite some time. However, not every startup is built to thrive in this space and this is where things get interesting."
[How to Frame a Great Story]
✍🏾Attention-Grabbing Frame: Start with a spark that hooks your audience instantly.
Great stories grab attention. They spark the imagination of big, important audiences.
✍🏾 Authenticity Frame: Build your story on truth and consistency—no fake details allowed.
Great stories feel true. Not always fact, but always authentic and consistent. People spot fake fast.
✍🏾Bold Promise Frame: Make a daring, clear promise that excites and intrigues.
Great stories make bold promises. Fun, safety, or shortcuts—make it daring or forget it.
✍🏾Trust Frame: Shape your story to earn and keep the audience’s trust.
Great stories build trust. Trust is rare. Without it, your story falls flat.
✍🏾Subtlety Frame: Leave space for the audience to connect the dots themselves.
Great stories are subtle. Less detail, more power. Let people fill in the blanks.
✍🏾Speed Frame: Deliver your story quickly—first impressions stick.
Great stories hit fast. First impressions matter—make them count.
✍🏾Simplicity Frame: Keep it lean; don’t rely on heavy materials or long pitches.
Great stories don’t need fancy brochures. You’re either ready to listen or not.
✍🏾Sensory Frame: Appeal to feelings and senses, not just logic.
Great stories speak to senses, not logic. People decide quickly, sometimes with just a sniff.
✍🏾Niche Frame: Target a specific, small audience that shares your worldview.
Great stories target a tiny tribe. Don’t try to please everyone; focus on the few who share your view.
✍🏾Consistency Frame: Ensure every part of your story fits perfectly—no contradictions.
Great stories don’t contradict. Everything must fit—location, menu, staff. No mixed signals.
✍🏾Belief-Confirmation Frame: Align your story with what your audience already believes to make them feel smart and secure.
Great stories confirm beliefs. They make people feel smart and secure, not confused.
✍🏾Attention-Grabbing Frame: Start with a spark that hooks your audience instantly.
Great stories grab attention. They spark the imagination of big, important audiences.
✍🏾 Authenticity Frame: Build your story on truth and consistency—no fake details allowed.
Great stories feel true. Not always fact, but always authentic and consistent. People spot fake fast.
✍🏾Bold Promise Frame: Make a daring, clear promise that excites and intrigues.
Great stories make bold promises. Fun, safety, or shortcuts—make it daring or forget it.
✍🏾Trust Frame: Shape your story to earn and keep the audience’s trust.
Great stories build trust. Trust is rare. Without it, your story falls flat.
✍🏾Subtlety Frame: Leave space for the audience to connect the dots themselves.
Great stories are subtle. Less detail, more power. Let people fill in the blanks.
✍🏾Speed Frame: Deliver your story quickly—first impressions stick.
Great stories hit fast. First impressions matter—make them count.
✍🏾Simplicity Frame: Keep it lean; don’t rely on heavy materials or long pitches.
Great stories don’t need fancy brochures. You’re either ready to listen or not.
✍🏾Sensory Frame: Appeal to feelings and senses, not just logic.
Great stories speak to senses, not logic. People decide quickly, sometimes with just a sniff.
✍🏾Niche Frame: Target a specific, small audience that shares your worldview.
Great stories target a tiny tribe. Don’t try to please everyone; focus on the few who share your view.
✍🏾Consistency Frame: Ensure every part of your story fits perfectly—no contradictions.
Great stories don’t contradict. Everything must fit—location, menu, staff. No mixed signals.
✍🏾Belief-Confirmation Frame: Align your story with what your audience already believes to make them feel smart and secure.
Great stories confirm beliefs. They make people feel smart and secure, not confused.
❤2
“What’s another frame for this situation?”
Reframing doesn’t mean denying truth. It means opening space for more than one truth.
Reframing doesn’t mean denying truth. It means opening space for more than one truth.
Live Unframed
You are the framer, and ya'll can always choose again.
Frames will always exist, but we can live aware of them, conscious of our role, and free to shift them.
Your Frame Isn't Your Fault. But It Is Your Responsibility.
You are the framer, and ya'll can always choose again.
Frames will always exist, but we can live aware of them, conscious of our role, and free to shift them.
Your Frame Isn't Your Fault. But It Is Your Responsibility.
The Core Frames
1. Identity Frame
(“Who am I?”).
2. Power Frame
(“What authority do I hold?”).
3. Story Frame
(“What narrative defines this situation?”).
4. Goal Frame
(“What outcome matters here?”).
1. Identity Frame
(“Who am I?”).
2. Power Frame
(“What authority do I hold?”).
3. Story Frame
(“What narrative defines this situation?”).
4. Goal Frame
(“What outcome matters here?”).