Adams defines the mind’s “operating system” as people’s way of processing information and feeling motivated to do certain things. He believes that, with intentional effort, people can change their operating systems to shed unhelpful thoughts and embrace new perceptions and behaviors. Adams believes that people tend to have one of four operating systems: Selfishness, revenge, feeling victimized, or reciprocity, and that reframing can help people achieve the reciprocity system.

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to generate new cells and change its own thinking patterns. Adams refers to this scientifically proven concept while discussing the mind’s operating system and how he believes reframing can influence it.

Cognitive dissonance is when someone holds contradicting beliefs, usually making them feel uncomfortable and often prompting them to rationalize or justify the difference in their beliefs and behavior. Adams observes that when people experience self-contradiction, they often create an “illusion” or justification to make themselves feel better, rather than becoming more consistent or rational. He uses this as an example of humans’ inherent irrationality to support his argument that people should be open to embarrassment and being proven wrong in an effort to avoid entrenching themselves in irrational opinions.

Adams credits cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman with the Simulation Hypothesis, which is the theory that all life is simply a simulation created by a higher species for the purposes of their learning or entertainment. Adams acknowledges that he cannot prove that this is true, but he finds his belief in the Simulation Hypothesis to be a useful reframe on reality because he finds it motivating, and believes it can help readers feel more open to trying new things in their life.