The stories we tell ourselves are powerful. They determine how we show up, what risks we assume, and what actions we take (or avoid) – whether those stories hold truth or not.
That’s why rewriting your story is such a central part of the work I do with clients. Especially now, when so many people are feeling anxious about the economy, the job market, or what’s coming next.
Understandably so. But even in uncertain times, your story is what determines your next move – not the headlines.
If you’re telling yourself,
“It’s pointless to try right now,” that’s a story.
If you’re saying, “No one’s hiring people like me,” or “I don’t have what it takes to build a business,”
those are stories, too. . . . and you’ve written yourself into a dead end.
Let me ask you something that I often ask my clients:
How’s that story working for ya? 🤨
If the answer is “not great,” it’s time for a rewrite.
Take one client of mine who’s dealing with chronic health issues. That’s real; it’s her truth. But her underlying story was, “I can’t succeed because of this.” And that story was keeping her stuck.
So we rewrote it. She started saying, “I can still succeed at a high level in ways that work with my energy and time.” That story opened up possibilities.
Instead of traveling to speak, she started hosting webinars.
Instead of offering hourly services, she packaged her expertise into group offerings.
Same person. Different story. New actions.
Where do your stories come from? Some are generational. Others are cultural, religious, or formed from early life experiences. Maybe you were told to be “realistic.” Maybe you saw someone fail and vowed never to take the same risk.
The truth is, you’re not stuck.
In my Now What?® coaching work, we look at how your career path has been shaped by the story you’ve told, and how we can rewrite it to get you where you actually want to go.
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Here’s a quick exercise:
Imagine stepping out of your life like it’s a movie. Watch yourself as the main character. What story are you playing out?
If your character is accepting underpaid work because adults in their life said they’d never amount to anything. . . What happens if that character starts developing skills and learning how to land high-paying clients or climb the corporate ladder?
If your character is working around the clock, missing time with their kids, like their divorced mother had to just to survive. . . What if they started building a business that prioritizes family and flexibility instead?
If your character is stuck in a job they hate because they once saw an uncle’s business fail and their dad called entrepreneurship irresponsible. . . What if that story becomes fuel to learn from others’ mistakes, or build something safer and more sustainable?
You can’t rewrite the past, but you can change how it drives your future.
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The stories we tell ourselves are the scripts we live by. Stop letting a dead-end story dictate your next move.
Write a story that opens doors. That sparks creativity. That leads to action.
Because the story you choose is the life you live.
What’s your next chapter?
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