How Mindset Reframing Can Infuse Every Day of Your Creative Life With Positive Opportunity
At a Glance
Today we’re talking mindset.
Every day has its problems, but by reframing how we see them, we can create positive changes in our lives.
Let’s discuss.
One of the greatest tricks you have as a creative is “mindset reframing.”
Every day, life throws us problems like they’re candy.
• Some are big.
• Some are small.
• All are annoying.
Or are they?
Adulting can be tough enough without the added burden of a negative mindset. That’s why we need to reframe how we think about our day.
→ Don’t think, “What’s my burden today?”
→ Instead, think, “What is my opportunity today?”
This story may help you understand why.
It’s February.
While most of us may have slipped a bit here or there with our New Year Resolutions, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, February means turning to an adorable rodent to predict whether or not we’ll have 6 more weeks of winter.
An annual tradition hailing back to 1887, the Town of Punxsutawney wakes early every February 2nd to determine whether the most famous groundhog in the world, Phil, has seen his shadow.
→ If he has, it’s “more Winter.”
→ If he hasn’t, it’s “an early Spring.”
Spoiler Alert:
In 2024, he didn’t. (Queue my sigh of relief) 😁
But I think fondly of Groundhog Day for a different reason.
To me, Groundhog Day means a return to creativity.
In one of my favorite books, “Keep Going!” by Austin Kleon, Austin tells the story of Phil Connors (played by Bill Murray) in the 1993 comedy film, Groundhog Day.
If you haven’t seen the film, Phil is trapped in a time-loop, forced to relive February 2nd over and over again. And he resents everything about it.
What starts as Phil’s curse becomes his salvation.
Knowing that he must relive the day over and over, he eventually lets go of his frustration. Instead, Phil begins to use the time to help others, learn new skills, and express his creativity.
In turn, he fills his day with meaning and embraces the time he has.
What’s Today’s Opportunity?
For those of us not trapped in a 90’s film time loop, our days can feel equally restrictive if we let them. But I try to use Phil’s example to rework my thinking.
Each day of our lives is the same 24-hour period.
Equally true, each day of our lives can be:
An opportunity to share our creativity with those around us.
A privilege to improve our lives one small step at a time.
A chance to grow through the process of learning.
What will you do today, tomorrow, and the next day to improve yours?
TL; DR
Problems happen every day.
We have the power to see them as obstacles or opportunities.
By reframing our mindset for positivity, we are more likely to grow, learn, and build the creative lives we’re after.
Quote of the Week
Motivation for the days ahead of you.
“Yesterday’s over, tomorrow may never come, there’s just today and what you can do with it.”
— Austin Kleon, Keep Going
That's all for now.
Stay creative, my friends—and have a great week!
