Most of us, most of the time, live in a bubble. A paradigm - a complex of preconceptions. A frame or framing.
This is very efficient, allowing us to screen out irrelevancies and work with (and see) only the 'res'. The essentials. Using heuristics - rules of thumb.
Some people, probably the vast majority, make their way through life in this way.
Others wask: Why? And How? and keep on asking Why & How until there are no more answers available - or achieve: Mastery. Understanding.
When Business as Usual Fails
Business as Usual
This works well - most of the time. It's 'Business as Usual'.
Disruption
It works well - until it doesn't. When something is off - something shifted. Circumstances changed. 'Normal' is disrupted.
The Paradigm Island
Paradigm as an Idea Space
Consistent and useful
Island Metaphor
Limited but comfortable
Ocean of Possibilities
Unseen from within the paradigm
You can think of any paradigm as an idea space that hangs together - is consistent and useful. A way of seeing and/or dealing with the world.
If you think of this as an island then the space available around it is an ocean of possibilities that cannot be accessed, or often even seen, from within that island / paradigm.
So long as you can get wherever you need, or want, to go on paradigm island you've no need of what's beyond.
Finding New Vantage Points
Encounter Barriers
But come the day you cannot reach your destination - perhaps because of some barrier, imagine a volcano creates an impassable gorge or a new mountain range - you need to move outside the existing paradigm and that ocean of possibilities become more interesting.
Zoom Out
But to see it you need a new vantage point. You need to zoom-out.
Discover New Routes
The ocean of possibilities - or rather a new, alternative or proader paradigm of framing, reveals new possibilities previously hidden and unavailable that can new routes to your goals.
Innovation Through Reframing
Beyond Necessity
Nor is it just necessity that is the mother of reframing: Innovation is its most fertile territory, rain or shine.
Competitive Drive
Often driven by competition.
Becoming Agile Through Reframing
Reframing Ability
Reframing - and the ability to reframe - makes you agile.
Adaptation
Not just able to adapt to to changing circumstances
Transformation
But also able to change them - to adapt your environment (eg we no longer live in caves).