What’s Your Story?
One of my favorite parts about coaching is helping to identify the stories that we tell ourselves.
Examples of a story might be, “it’s really hard for me to act without all of the information” or “I’ve just always been a big procrastinator.” We know our stories so well that they become our truths and we allow them to shape how we make decisions, how we problem-solve, and how we show up in all aspects of our life.
The Pitfalls of Negative Story-Telling
So often, the stories that we tell ourselves focus on why we can’t/shouldn’t/won’t do something. Negative story-telling, as you might imagine, holds us back from progress. I know how difficult it is to identify our narratives; it took many coaching sessions for me to become aware of the stories I told myself and how deeply entrenched they were within my thought process. These stories still creep into my thoughts, but it’s empowering to be able to recognize them for what they are - stories, not absolute truths, whose power is now diminished.
With that in mind, “What story are you telling yourself right now?” Use this exercise at any time. Notice the story, its physical, emotional, and mental effects, and allow yourself to sit in that awareness for however long you feel you need to to determine whether or not a change is necessary. The question then becomes, what will you do with that awareness?
Rewriting The Narrative
Take a beat and decide how you want to move forward. Will you allow that story to dictate how you handle that situation or will you consider changing the narrative that’s guided you for so long? Don't be surprised if this exercise doesn’t result in immediate change. After all, that story may have been with you for a long time. Coaching starts from the premise that we have all the tools we need to accomplish our goals and the journey we collectively undertake will be successful when deeper awareness of our narratives unlocks a truer version of our personal identities.
Identifying the stories that no longer serve you properly is the first step in defining the new story that you seek to create for your future self.
Ready to rewrite the narrative?