Reframing: The Brain Hack That Changes Everything

Running a business with an ADHD brain isn’t always smooth sailing. Staying the course, managing well-being, and navigating Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) can be overwhelming. The constant mental juggling act, the high highs, and the deep lows—it’s a lot.

But here’s the upside: ADHD brains are wired for creative problem-solving and resilience in tricky situations. There is always a way forward. The challenge? Not waiting for hindsight to kick in before gaining perspective. That’s where reframing comes in.

The Power of Reframing in Real Time

Reframing is the ability to shift your perspective while you’re in the stress, not just after the fact. It’s what stops a spiral before it gains momentum. It’s what keeps you moving forward instead of getting stuck in frustration or self-doubt. And it’s an essential tool for leaders, entrepreneurs, and high-achievers who need to navigate uncertainty without burning out.

Last year was tough. Challenges stacked up. Some days, I felt completely off course. But what kept me going wasn’t sheer willpower—it was adopting a lessons mindset through reframing. Instead of spiralling, I leaned into three simple questions:

🔹 What’s the lesson in this?

🔹 How is this helping me get clear?

🔹 While this is uncomfortable, what am I grateful for?

These questions didn’t change my circumstances, but they changed how I showed up for them. They shifted my focus from frustration to possibility. They helped me lead with curiosity instead of self-doubt.

The Science Behind Reframing

Reframing isn’t just positive thinking—it’s brain science at work. When you actively reframe a situation, your brain undergoes key shifts that help you manage stress and stay clear-headed:

🧠 Activates the Prefrontal Cortex – This is your brain’s rational, problem-solving center. Engaging it allows you to respond with clarity instead of reacting emotionally.

🛑 Regulates the Amygdala – Your amygdala is the brain’s threat detector. When stress kicks in, it triggers fight-or-flight. Reframing helps down-regulate this response, reducing panic and overwhelm.

💪 Strengthens Neural Pathways – The more you practice reframing, the more automatic it becomes. Over time, your brain gets better at shifting perspectives, making you more adaptable and resilient.

✨ Releases Dopamine – Reframing helps you see challenges as opportunities, triggering the release of dopamine—the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. This not only improves mood but also boosts motivation and problem-solving.

Leadership, ADHD, and Owning the Reframe

Being a leader—whether in business, life, or personal growth—requires both vision and adaptability. You need hindsight to reflect, but you also need the ability to shift perspective in the moment.

For those of us with ADHD, this practice is a game-changer. It’s the difference between feeling trapped by challenges and stepping into our ability to problem-solve in real time.

So here’s my challenge for you: Next time you feel stuck, try these three questions. Lean into the reframe. See what shifts.

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