Subtle Word Differences to Help Reframe (And Improve) Your Mindset, Part 1

“If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” - Maya Angelou

If you’ve ever been accused of being a killjoy or having the wrong attitude, especially if you are expressing healthy skepticism, it doesn’t hurt to be open to consider if you could have better thoughts, especially defeatist ones. Many times, it’s not actually a bad attitude that is an obstacle to a better mindset, it’s bad data: you may be using the least efficient words in your thought process that lead to conclusions some of your peers may not often agree with you over.

Consider the following word pairings, even if you don’t know the exact differences, and take a moment to think about what the mean if you replace one for the other:

● Adjustability versus Adaptability

● Reacting versus Responding

● Effective versus Efficient

● Looking versus Seeing

● Problem versus Challenge

● Why versus How

If you cheated and used a web search to see what the differences were, you still get a gold star for being resourceful for this short exercise, because what we’re trying to do is get you to know not just the definitions, but the feeling that these words give when you use or replace them with their counterpart.

Reframing is not putting on rose-colored glasses and pretending everything is better, though it is adopting a different lens to view things (pun not intended) so that you don’t get stuck with tunnel vision.

Some of these pairings will be covered in follow-up posts to do them justice for their analysis, as the mind of the social entrepreneur needs to be dynamic and open in order for us to recognize opportunities rather than obstacles. In other words, perspective shapes us and leads to what some may mistake for bad attitudes, but with the right information or looking from other angles, people may see differently, analyze from their new position, and lead to new conclusions that seem more agreeable or more interesting to others, or perhaps even more compelling.

Here are a couple of stories that reflect that kind of difference in perspective which is the same reasoning that replaces words for our thought processes: when Alexander the Great was told that the Gordian Knot was something that could only be undone by the future ruler of Asia. Most assumed someone with good hands and skill could untie it, but the difference is undone, not untied. Alexander simply cut the knot with his sword, undoing it and giving both him and those around him the confidence that he would fulfill his destiny as ruler.

Another one involves a nice logic and language riddle: if you ask someone “How many corners does a house have?” you may be surprised to find that it’s not four: are you counting the corners in each room? The corners on the floor and the ceiling? The corners of the tables, chairs, and other furniture? Corners of tiles on the floors and walls?

Both examples illustrate the creative, logical, linguistic, and playful mind that a social entrepreneur can benefit from cultivating because it is open and does not assume or think in rigid, strict assumptions but looks for loopholes and opportunities in everything. By paying attention to words for little mental exercises or riddles, the same reasoning can be applied towards the subtle changes in words that are commonly used in our professional work.

Think about it, but don’t think too hard as you might still be struggling with the word choice. Meditate on the major and minor differences when using each word in place of the other. Focus on how it feels as much as what it means, even if you know the definition. Then observe the way you look at things, how you talk, and how others understand you even if you don’t use the words aloud. There is a noticeable change, often very quickly. As the mind changes, so do your words and actions, and we won’t spoil it for you, but we can say that it helps, if the Landmark forum ethos is anything to go by–something that Angels for Angels strongly encourages people to try at least once in their lives!