The last few years have been tough. Markets have shifted, hiring has slowed, roles have become harder to fill and it’s very easy to fall into a negative tailspin without even realising it.
It usually starts small.
You begin focusing on what’s not working. Then when something goes wrong (a candidate drops out, a role stalls, a deal falls over), it reinforces that narrative.
Before long, you’re expecting things to go wrong.
And that mindset doesn’t just stay in your head. It comes out in how you speak to your team, your manager, and even candidates.
The Power of Framing
We spent some time with the team at Arcadia Consulting recently, and one of the biggest takeaways was this:
The way you frame situations directly impacts how you respond to them and the outcomes you get.
This isn’t about blind positivity or ignoring challenges. It’s about choosing a perspective that keeps you moving forward instead of getting stuck.
5 Simple Frameworks to Shift Your Thinking
If you catch yourself slipping into negative patterns, these are simple tools you can use in the moment:
1. Problem → Opportunity
Instead of: “This isn’t working”
Ask: “What’s the opportunity here?”
It forces a shift from frustration to problem-solving.
2. Fact vs Story
Separate what’s real from what you’re telling yourself.
- Fact: The candidate declined
- Story: “The market is impossible right now”
That distinction alone can stop a spiral.
3. Control the Controllables
Break things down into:
- What you can control
- What you can influence
- What you need to let go of
This helps you move back into action quickly.
4. The “Not Yet” Mindset
Instead of: “We can’t fill this role”
Shift to: “We haven’t filled it yet”
It keeps momentum alive and stops things feeling final.
5. What’s Working?
When things feel off, ask:
- What is working right now?
- What can we build on?
It rebalances your perspective so you’re not only seeing the negatives.
If You Want to Go Deeper
If this is something you’re working on, there are a few books that are genuinely worth your time:
| Atomic Habits | Practical, habit-driven approach to behaviour change |
| The Happiness Advantage | Why mindset drives performance |
| Mindset | Fixed vs growth mindset fundamentals |
| The Power of Positive Thinking | Classic on mental framing |
| The Happiness Trap | Managing negative thought patterns effectively |
Each takes a slightly different angle, but all are useful in helping you shift how you think and show up day-to-day.
Final Thought
This isn’t about being positive all the time. It’s about catching yourself when you’re slipping into patterns that don’t serve you and having simple ways to pull yourself back.
Because in this market, mindset isn’t just a “nice to have”. It’s a real differentiator.