Reframing Your Way to a More Productive Mindset

Welcome to The 1% Better Productivity Letter, your weekly dose of simple, actionable strategies to work smarter, boost focus, and build a productive life that fits you.

Today at a glance:

• A personal story on how easy it is to slip into old thinking patterns, no matter how far you’ve come.
• An intro to cognitive reframing, a mindset tool to help you stay balanced, grateful, and focused.
• Why mindset directly impacts your productivity (more than your to-do list).

Reframe Your Thoughts, Rewire Your Productivity

Before we dive into today’s topic, I have a quick announcement:
The Productivity Accelerator is finally launching in just 3 days, after more than six months of deep research, thoughtful planning, and a lot of hard work behind the scenes. I can honestly say I’m incredibly proud of the result. It’s everything I wish I’d had at the beginning of my own productivity journey.

This course is built especially for people juggling multiple responsibilities, whether you’re growing a side hustle, managing a demanding job, or building a business while raising kids. What makes it different from many other courses I’ve taken over the years is that it’s made for real life. No fluff, no rigid systems, just practical, flexible tools and a repeatable framework you can actually stick to, even on your busiest days.

You know my number one rule: productivity should feel natural, not forced. And that’s exactly what I teach inside this course.

I’ll be back soon with more details, but if you want early access, the launch bonuses, and the special pricing, you can sign up for the waitlist here.

Now, let’s get into today’s topic.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you already know that I truly believe mindset is at the core of everything, whether it’s consistency, productivity, or discipline. When your mindset is strong, the rest tends to fall into place more naturally.

One of the most powerful tools I’ve used over the years is cognitive reframing. I started using it because I found myself constantly fixating on what was wrong, what was missing, or what could go better - often overlooking all the good that was already present in my life. And while I’ve made a lot of progress with this practice, old habits sneak in sometimes.

Here’s what happened this week:

On Wednesday, I had to go into the office. Because I had an early appointment, I ended up walking the same route I used to take before we moved into our new home. Back then, we lived in the city, and my 30-minute walk to the office (rain or shine) was one of my favorite routines. I’d pop in a podcast, breathe some fresh air, and arrive at work full of energy and inspiration.

But since moving to the suburbs, everything’s shifted. We’re further from the city now, and those kinds of walks aren’t really an option. Most places I used to visit regularly are now a drive away (and I don’t love driving 😅).

So there I was, walking the familiar route, and this wave of sadness hit me. I found myself thinking, “Things were better when we lived in the city. I miss this.” For a few moments, I started to spiral, comparing my current life with the past, and not in a helpful way.

But then, I paused - literally stopped walking - and challenged the thoughts head-on.
​Wasn’t this the life I had dreamed about?​
​Didn’t I work for years to live in a bigger house, closer to nature, with more space and quiet?​
​Wasn’t this one of the biggest goals my husband and I had set together?

In that moment, I realized just how easy it is to slip back into old thought patterns, and how important it is to stop and reframe.

Our minds don’t always show us the truth. Sometimes they distort reality in subtle ways. And unless we’re aware of it, we can get stuck in a loop of negativity, even when we’re living the very life we once dreamed of.

Cognitive reframing isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a practice, an ongoing process of checking in with your thoughts, adjusting them, and gently guiding your mind back to what’s real and helpful.

From Idea to Action

Let’s talk a bit more about cognitive reframing, a simple but powerful mindset tool that can genuinely change the way you experience your work, your productivity, and even your life.

What is cognitive reframing?

Cognitive reframing is a psychological technique that helps you shift the way you look at a situation, thought, or challenge, so instead of seeing it through a negative or limiting lens, you intentionally “reframe” it through a more helpful or empowering one.

It’s rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), developed by psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s. The core idea behind CBT is that our thoughts shape how we feel and act, and by adjusting those thoughts, we can improve our emotions, behaviors, and outcomes.

Put simply:

Why is this important for productivity?

Because productivity is not just about time or tools—it’s about mindset.

If your internal dialogue is constantly telling you:

• “I’ll never catch up.”
• “I’m behind again.”
• “I can’t stay consistent.”
• “This used to be better.”

…you’re unintentionally training your brain to associate work with defeat or pressure. That creates resistance, procrastination, and frustration, which leads to more unproductive days.

Reframing helps break that cycle.

It gives your brain a new script, one that’s rooted in growth, curiosity, or realism rather than self-criticism or comparison. And that mindset shift? It’s often the missing piece between feeling stuck and finding momentum.

Here are a few examples of how you can start applying this today:

• Instead of: “I didn’t get anything done today.”
  ​Try: “I needed rest today, and tomorrow I’ll return with more energy.”
• Instead of: “This task is too overwhelming.”
  ​Try: “I don’t have to do it all at once. I’ll start with just one step.”
• Instead of: “I used to be more productive before.”
  ​Try: “That season had a different rhythm. I’m figuring out what works for this one.”
• Instead of: “I failed to follow through.”
  ​Try: “I’m learning what works and what doesn’t—this is part of the process.”

Your tiny challenge for this week:

When you catch yourself spiraling into negative or self-critical thoughts, pause and ask yourself:

Then reframe it, just once, and notice how it feels. You might be surprised how much lighter and more focused you feel just by shifting your mental narrative.

📝 I’d love for you to try this and reply here or DM me to share how it worked for you or where you’re getting stuck. I read every single message!

Recommendation Zone

This week, I’m recommending a great episode from Jay Shetty’s podcast:
​“Do THIS to Stop Spiraling (7 Steps to Instantly Break the Cycle of Negative Thoughts)”​
​🔗 Listen here​

It ties in perfectly with today’s topic on reframing your mindset. Jay shares simple, practical steps to help you catch and shift negative thoughts before they take over, something we all need when we’re trying to stay focused and productive.

Quick, insightful, and full of tools you can apply right away. Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

Something Big is Coming ⏰

If you enjoyed what I covered in this newsletter, you’re going to love my upcoming course, The Productivity Accelerator. It’s designed to help you master focus, beat distractions, and finally work smarter, not harder.

Right now, I’m putting the finishing touches on it, and if you join the waitlist, you’ll be the first to get updates when it launches.

Trust me, you won’t want to miss it. 🤩

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Remember: productivity does not mean busyness!

Loredana xx