ReFraming for Resilience: Mental Armor Skill That Lasts
How ReFraming Thoughts Protects Mental Readiness on the Job—and at Home
Whether you’re in a squad car, a classroom, or a command post, the way you think under pressure can make or break your performance. ReFraming for Resilience is a skill that protects your mental readiness—on the job and at home…
We’ve all been there.
“I always mess this up.”
“They don’t respect me.”
“Why even bother trying again?”
These aren’t just passing ideas—they shape your emotional state and drive your next move. Left unchecked, they erode confidence, teamwork, and decision-making. That’s where ReFraming comes in.
And it’s not just for the workplace.
These skills are just as vital when the pressure’s personal—when you’re home, off duty, and still carrying the mental load.
What Is ReFraming?
ReFraming for Resilience means learning to catch distorted or unproductive thoughts—and challenge them.
It’s not toxic positivity. It’s tactical clarity.
You’re not ignoring problems. You’re examining them from a different angle to find a more accurate and useful perspective. Think of it as cognitive body armor that protects your mission and your mindset.
Read more about the revised ABC’s of rational-emotive therapy (RET) →
Field-Ready (and Home-Ready) Examples of ReFraming
First Responders
Work: “I should’ve done more.”
ReFramed: “I followed protocol and gave it everything I had.”
Home: “I’m ruining my relationship.”
ReFramed: “I’m stressed. I can reset and talk this through.”
Educators
Work: “I can’t get through to these kids.”
ReFramed: “It’s one tough day. I’ve made progress before.”
Home: “I’m failing as a parent.”
ReFramed: “This is one moment. I’m still showing up.”
Medical Professionals
Work: “I failed my patient.”
ReFramed: “The outcome hurts, but I acted with care and integrity.”
Home: “I can’t give my family what they need.”
ReFramed: “I’ll take 15 minutes to recover, then give what I can.”
Leaders
Work: “They’re lazy.”
ReFramed: “There’s a breakdown in clarity. What can I adjust?”
Home: “No one appreciates how much I’m carrying.”
ReFramed: “I’m overwhelmed. I’ll express that instead of shutting down.”
Why ReFraming for Resilience Matters
Resilience isn’t just about staying cheerful—it’s about staying effective.
ReFraming for Resilience helps you:
- Stay focused when emotions run high
- Protect your values from reactive choices
- Model calm leadership at work and at home
- Recover faster from stress, mistakes, and spiraling thoughts
You don’t need therapy to start. You need awareness, practice, and a little coaching.
That’s what we do at Mental Armor.
Train With Us: Live Webinar This Month
If you want to strengthen your ability to stay focused, lead under pressure, and bounce back faster—join us for this month’s free Mental Armor™ webinar.
Our monthly Mental Armor webinar explores field-tested skills like ReFraming for Resilience to help you thrive in high-stress environments.
You’ll explore evidence-based skills like ReFraming for Resilience and others used daily by first responders, educators, medical professionals, military teams, and leaders across industries.
This live session is designed for both individuals and leaders looking to build real-world resilience—or to explore how a science-backed program like Mental Armor can be implemented in your team or organization.
Most organizations train for performance on the job—but ignore the stress, conflict, and pressure staff face at home.
Mental Armor bridges that gap.
These skills aren’t just for duty hours. They’re for your whole life.
Led by the 49 North™ Training Team, under the direction of Brigadier General (Ret.) Rhonda Cornum, PhD, MD, architect of the U.S. Army’s original resilience program.
No need for a camera or microphone. Just 60 minutes of practical, high-impact training.
Reserve your seat now →
About the Author
Christopher Poe is a retired Infantry First Sergeant, Master Resilience Trainer, and creator of Mental Armor Online. With deployments across Iraq, Bosnia, and East Africa, he now trains professionals worldwide in resilience skills that work—on duty and at home. He and the 49N™ Team specialize in teaching skills like ReFraming for Resilience to frontline professionals.
