Framing: Zoom Out. See More Choices.

Filmmakers are very good at framing. Spending a lot of time ensuring that what you see on the screen focuses your attention. Zooming a frame out allows filmmakers to expand the context of a scene drawing the viewer in and giving them an “ohhh…” moment. Oh, now I understand why that character is frozen in fear…

Framing puts boundaries on an image, a person, a situation, a choice, or perhaps, a thought pattern. It attempts to create a focus on whatever is in the frame. To limit the perspective of the viewer, or in the case of what is going on inside you, your perspective. 

When you feel limited, constricted, trapped chances are good you are using a very small frame to focus your attention. Conversely, when you feel overwhelmed, inundated, swamped chances are good that the frame you are using is too big. The key is to know how to leverage the power of framing to help you navigate each situation. 

Feeling limited? Expand your frame outward to consider all the options / choices you have in front of you. Sit down and write out the choices that are obvious and then right out five more.

Feeling overwhelmed? Shrink your frame inward and consider all the options / choices that are relevant and  not relevant to the present moment. Sit down and write them all out and then literally erase the ones that are not relevant.

Moving forward is an action you take even when you feel constricted or overwhelmed. Learning how to frame both situations will help you live in the moment to your fullest.