Stories are an integral part of our lives.
Whether it’s a breaking news story or a personal story that captures your interest while scrolling social media, we’re fascinated by the stories that unfold daily.
Last week, wherever I went, people were talking about the missing submersible off the northeast coast and the fate of those on board. Everyone was captivated by some aspect of the story.
Often overlooked in an age of a 24/7 news cycle are the most meaningful stories: the ones we tell ourselves.
Stories about who we are, our abilities, beliefs, desires, and limitations.
These are the stories that have the power to make a difference.
What Story Have You Created?
Have you told yourself:
“I’m not good enough.”
“People like me aren’t successful.”
“I’m not worthy of love.”
If thoughts like this run through your mind, your actions may be affected by limiting beliefs without even realizing it. These thoughts may also lead to a negative mindset.
Here’s another set of thoughts:
“My life is full of possibilities.”
“I’ve overcome many challenges, and I’m stronger because of it.”
“My success is limitless.”
These thoughts create a growth mindset.
I wrote about the different types of mindsets in another article if you want to read more.
How Does Your Story Read?
If you’ve had thoughts like the first set, have you considered ways to improve them?
The good news is you have complete control over what you think and the actions you take. You can change your story.
You can empower yourself and begin again, regardless of your age or stage of life.
Your Mindset Sets the Stage for Your Story
Your mindset is your attitude or perspective on life and forms the basis of your thoughts and beliefs. Like the story you tell yourself, your mindset affects every part of your life.
So when you change your mindset, you can change your story. And when your story changes, your life changes in ways you may have never imagined.
I started The Power of Change because every story matters, and we all have the potential to change the course of our lives if we feel we’re on the wrong path. The hardest part is getting started.
Let Go of Old Stories and Make Room for New Chapters
Have you reached a crossroads in your life? Are you searching for something more but unsure where to start?
The first step toward a new story is to stop and reflect on the one you’ve been telling yourself.
Find a quiet place, and write down the first things that come to mind. Don’t edit the thoughts; document them. Be honest with yourself. Tell yourself the story you’ve created for your life as if you were recounting a story to a friend.
By committing it to paper, you acknowledge its presence.
Once done, review the story and decide if what you wrote is how you want to live the rest of your life. Will the story on the page before you enable you to succeed?
If the story is based on limiting beliefs, insecurity, or fear, you just took the first step to change it.
Now you can begin to rewrite it.
Seven Steps to Rewriting Your Story and Changing Your Life
Changing your life story is not as easy as erasing words on a page, but with consistent effort, a belief in yourself, and a desire to change, you can rewrite it and create new endings.
Identify what you want.
Before you can change anything, you need to understand what you want. If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll never figure out how to get there. Do you want to make a career change, live in a new city, travel more, work less, meet new friends, or find a life partner? Be specific.
Set goals.
Take the list of wants you created and turn them into actionable goals.
Goals help you provide a clear path and allow you to focus your energy and resources on what matters. They also help motivate you if you lose momentum and keep you accountable throughout the process.
If you want to change jobs, create a timeline to make the necessary changes. Do you need additional schooling or experience? Can you begin making this change incrementally by taking a class at night? Goals should be specific and actionable.
Goals should also be reviewed regularly.
Visualize the life you want.
Once you’ve set goals, use the power of visualization to gain further clarity on what your desired life looks like.
When you see yourself living the life you want, you’re more likely to make it happen.
Steve Harvey is a successful television host, producer, actor, comedian, author, and motivational speaker, but he wasn’t always successful. While struggling to make it as a stand-up comedian, he was homeless. In 2013 he told People Magazine that with nowhere else to turn, he started living in his car: a 1976 Ford Tempo with an ice chest in the backseat. He lived in his car for three years and was close to 40 when he scored his big break on The Steve Harvey Show. In the years since he’s become one of the biggest stars in show business and often speaks about how he made it happen.
The story of how he turned his life around is based on faith, belief, and visualization. He tells audiences about the vision board he still keeps on his phone, even after all his success. He uses the power of visualization to stay focused on his goals.
Some may think visualization is just a woo-woo new-age technique, but many successful people consider visualization a pivotal component to their success because when you visualize yourself achieving your goals and living the life you want, you begin to believe it’s possible.
And when you genuinely believe something is possible, it’s much easier to make it happen.
Be kind to yourself.
I’ve written before about the importance of being gentle with yourself, but we are often our worst enemies. During any change or transition, you must learn to be kind to yourself when you make mistakes or need time to regroup. You’re human, and we all make mistakes. It’s part of life.
When you hit a bump in the road, remember you’re just as deserving of love and compassion as the next person.
Take care of your body and mind.
Daily exercise, proper sleep, and a healthy diet are the basis for living well. Without them, you don’t have the energy to persevere when things get tough. A healthy body is a no-brainer, but you need a healthy mind to change your life too.
Be mindful.
Practicing mindfulness is one way to improve your mental and emotional well-being. By being present every day, you lower stress levels and increase your sense of calm. You also learn to appreciate the little things in life.
If you haven’t added mindfulness into your daily routine, you can start by taking a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breathing. While there are many ways to practice mindfulness, the best one is the one that works for you. The one that you’ll maintain. I wrote more about mindfulness in this article.
Create balance by setting boundaries.
It can be challenging to say no, especially if you feel you’re letting someone down or missing an opportunity, but boundaries help create balance in your life. You can’t please everyone all the time, no matter how hard you try. By setting boundaries, you ensure your goals, hopes, and dreams are not pushed aside by the demands of others.
When your life is balanced, you’re in a better position to make the necessary changes to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life.
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” — Buddha
It’s never too late to start pursuing the life you truly want. You can change your story and life with commitment, perseverance, mindfulness, and a belief in yourself.
Happy Fourth of July to everyone celebrating. I hope you take this weekend to consider the story you’ve written for your life and decide if it needs an edit.
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Thank you to all who are reading and supporting my work. I appreciate it more than you know!
During the week, you can find me on Twitter, Medium, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Until next week, stay mindful and be safe.
Your writing is so clear and insightful and you present your thoughts as if you are speaking to each of us personally!
Nice Article Tracy! I love Remy, We'll have to get together with Toby, Abby and Ellie.