Reframing, Play, and Baseball
Embracing the best of summer.
It’s officially the start of summer, which evitably means a shift in routines, attitudes, and behaviors. This year, it seems like there are more “free agents” or new solo-preneurs and freelancers doing their own thing. For those of us who get excited about new ideas, new entities, and new collaborations, it’s an exciting time — but it can also be stressful if you’re new to this style of work and working.
As I’ve been out talking to people, listening, and reading, a few topics have emerged:
1. Support always helps — at all levels, so let’s talk baseball.
On a recent podcast episode, they discussed venture capital funding — specifically, how can we get more of it to people who are historically and statistically underfunded? (This was triggered by this recent court decision.) The analogy they used was baseball. Getting funding to the right people at the right time means you can start them on first base or get them to second or third — or maybe even help them hit a home run.
This is true outside of VC funding as well. We, as individuals or as a collective, can help other people out. An introduction can help someone get on base. A conversation can help them work through how they’re going to get from first to second. A little advice or a recommendation can help them see their path home when the opportunity arises. It’s truly amazing how a little bit can go a long way.
So, as you read this, consider: who can you help, and how? Don’t know of anyone in need of assistance? Offer it anyway. Or find a place or space in which you can contribute. What help do you need? What’s going to help you make it around the bases? What’s going to help you know when you should run and when you should hold?
2. Reframing
I am beginning to believe reframing is like water. You always need it. Sometimes, we may forget that we need it — we start to feel terrible, maybe a little light-headed or woozy. But then we have some water, and we feel better.
I believe this is true for reframing as well. We often forget about it. We get busy; we’re doing things, thinking things, and executing things. We don’t think about how we’re looking at things. And then we get stuck. We keep going down dead ends over and over again, banging our heads against the wall, only to realize if we just looked at it from another point of view, it could change everything — that it might be possible to find a way out, and in fact, perhaps our new point of view unlocks something better than what we ever could have hoped for. This is reframing’s magic.
(In case you’re wondering, what is reframing? It is ‘to frame or express words or a concept or plan differently.’ It’s also simply looking at something differently.)
How does one “reframe”? Here are some triggers to get you started:
- Argue the opposite. What if the opposite were true? How would that change things?
- Change a key variable. What if the sky was purple, for example? What if people abandoned the status quo and did everything you wanted them to, what then? What if instead of seeing problems, you only saw solutions? What if your biggest competitor quit, what would you do?
- Question everything, argue the opposite, make a cognitive ‘move around the room’ to see things from the other side, and see what you can come up with.
It sounds easy and hard, and it can be both. This is where peers, friends, loved ones, and professional coaches can be invaluable. They already see things from a different point of view than you, and talking things through with them can help.
What do you need to reframe for yourself? How can you help others reframe things they’re stuck on (or in!)? What should you rethink if you’re feeling stuck?
3. Saving Time for Work and Play
This is a big one for freelancers or “free agents,” — how are you setting aside time for yourself to get work done? How do you set aside time to refresh and refill yourself? Both professionally and personally? (Especially when the summer provides so many available distractions and demands.)
Creating intentional, focused work time is hugely valuable. As is creating time for non-work — whether it’s space for the unknown, time to play or a hobby or other activity. I give credit to the wonderful Matthew Erickson, whom I had the pleasure of working with at GoKart Labs (now West Monroe Partners) who always said, ‘go out and be interesting.’ He’s right. We need to do things that aren’t work (or directly work). We need walks, and talks, and trips, and yoga or runs or time with our family or our pets, or just quiet time with ourselves.
As we dive into the summer months, what time do you need to play? What time do you need for work? If it’s helpful, set up accountability tools (calendar blocks! peers and partners!) and stick to them. Keep track and see if what you’re doing works.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments: What’s working and what’s not, as you start the summer months?
