If our framing stories are largely subconscious, how do we identify them?
The best approach I’ve found is to use a form of Socratic questioning. Through a process of question asking and reflection, you can often get to the underlying reasons behind a decision, or in this case a belief.
Process:
- Think about the various dimensions of life below and ask yourself what you think you believe about them. Take several minutes for each.
- For each one, ask yourself some combination of the following questions:
- Why do I think this?
- How do I know this is true? What if I thought the opposite?
- How can I back this up? What are the sources?
- What might others think about this? How do I know I am correct?
- What does this mean about how I live my life, or how I should? What if I am wrong? What are the consequences if I am?
- Ask yourself if this belief is helping or hurting you.