There is one life-changing question that is central to successful reframing.

Rapid change is an unavoidable variable in the equation of life. We often try to avoid or even stop change, which is usually more disruptive than the change itself. Like any other equation, you can’t “solve” X by ignoring or removing it. That variable “X” is an essential part of the equation, necessary for finding the solution.

Related: Reframe negative thinking to ease your path to success

How growth occurs

Growth always begins with a decision to accept or change change that is happening around us. At a time when many of us are anxious about what the future holds, it is important to understand how people and even organizations can “learn how to learn” by seeing situations as they are and asking one very important question. Like the allegory of the equation of life above, the potential always exists in the ability to see the equation in its true form and open your mind to solutions.

Learning to reframe

When it comes to building resilience on an individual or organizational level, we must learn to reframe. Reframing is a specific skill of the mind where you are able to take a situation, see it realistically, and then frame the situation with a simple, life-changing question: What is the creative opportunity now?

Reframing doesn’t mean that what happened yesterday isn’t important or relevant, but that whatever happened yesterday, there is a creative opportunity that we can seize.

In order to grasp it, we must create space to see it.

This simple reformulation, in the form of a question, allows us to take stock of the situation that currently exists – to really see it and find meaning in it. My grandmother preached something similar when I was a kid by always reminding me: “Find the little gems.” What she meant by that, and what I learn from reframing, is that there is always growth and opportunity, but we often need to be reminded to look for it.

By human nature alone, we predict and protect – or so we think. Our brain sees change and triggers anxiety, insecurity, and fear, but it’s almost always unfounded. The better option is to use the question I shared above, which is the same question my wife has been asking me for 20 years and the same question I’ve seen change so many lives and corporate cultures.

Seek growth and opportunity instead of running from change and giving in to fear.

Related: Flip the switch on fear-based thinking

organizational application

If you want to build more resilience into your corporate culture, ask this question and get your teams involved. Give them something to chew on and give them buy-in and space to lean into this new mindset of reframing and resilience.

At the same time, what you will see happening with this pivot is that your teams will start striving for better results no matter the situation. You are now giving them permission to be critical thinkers and strategic problem solvers – all the while validating their perception of any situation and their ability to see opportunities.

Overjoyed versus overlooked

There are so many moments in life that we miss because we don’t look at the full picture or a clear version of that picture. Perception really changes reality, and so there are moments that we can experience as negative and then we miss that moment as a pivot point or a moment of growth.

When you choose to see something as an opportunity, you can see the full picture instead of just a small angle through a blurry lens. When your teams learn to reframe, you will see them begin to thrive in times of change. They usually look for positive results, rather than waiting or relying on negative emotional responses.

This is the start of a wonderful path for your organization if you commit to the simple act of creating space and asking this simple question. By instilling reframing as a skill set in your teams, you empower them to respond to change, leverage it, find the value in the change, and use that value to move forward.

Related: 8 Ways Successful People Master Resilience

I miss 7 out of 10

When an elite athlete talks about reframing, my ears prick up, because I know their mindset is a determining factor in how well they perform each day. So when Derek Jeter was asked if he missed 7 out of 10 hits, his answer was pretty epic. jeter said, “I’m ready for a hit and if I get a hit 3 times out of 10, I’ll be in the Hall of Fame.”

Not only did he think about the future instead of the here and now, but he also reframed the positive and looked at the whole equation—not just one variable.

“What is the creative opportunity now?is the simplest, most powerful question to find meaning in the moment while creating a path to the future.