Frame your choices to unlock better decisions

Sophie dragged herself to the gym each morning under the mantra “No pain, no gain.” Her muscles ached, her alarm hurt her ears, and the promise of better fitness felt distant.

One day, her coach suggested a simple wording tweak: replace “pain” with “strength.” “Feel the power in every rep,” he said. Suddenly Sophie’s dread flipped into anticipation.

Her muscles still burned, but her inner voice cheered her on: “I’m growing stronger with every lift.” The morning alarm didn’t feel like a battle cry but a starting pistol. Before long, Sophie was arriving early, eager to push past her limits.

This is framing in action. The words you choose before a decision shape how you experience it. A “challenge” implies growth, while a “problem” sounds like a roadblock. When you reframe, you don’t just change a sentence—you change your entire mindset.

So next time you’re stuck on the couch thinking “I have to work out,” overhaul your frame. Tell yourself, “I can expand my energy” and watch how the sidewalk suddenly looks more inviting.

You know the old scripts you tell yourself—“I have to,” “I shouldn’t,” “I must.” They drain your willpower before you start. Instead, flip the frame: reword every chore as a gain or a gift. Notice how saying “I’m investing in my health” feels different from “I have to exercise.” Keep that more powerful phrasing front and center whenever you feel stuck. You’ll find motivation flows far more easily when your brain thinks it’s a win already.