According to The Power of Story by Jim Loehr, the most important story we will ever tell is the one about our life.
We tell people the story we believe about ourselves. This story forms a reality which can help or hinder us. For example, what does your work mean to you? Is it a joy to work? Do you work for money or do you find your talent is fully ignited and engaged?
Pay attention to the way you describe yourself to others. “Unhealthy storytelling is characterized by a diet of faulty thinking and, ultimately, long-term negative consequences…the cumulative effect of our damaging stories will have tragic consequences on our health, happiness, engagement, and performance.”
Begin with IDENTIFYING your story:
- Scale of 1-10, how satisfied are you with your life?
- What if nothing changed?
- What needs are not being met?
- What story do you tell with your body language?
- Do you smile or scowl?
- How do you present yourself to others?
Consider how you want to EDIT your story:
- What area cause you the most concern?
- What are some influences behind some of your faulty beliefs about yourself?
- What has been keeping you from making a change so far?
Without limitations, how would you REWRITE your story:
- What is the most important part of your life story?
- What qualifications do you need to be happy rather than be unhappy (drowned by the weight of unhappy jobs, expectations, and lifestyles)?
- What inspires you to take hope-filled action?
You may be amazed at the story inside you.
This is Sheila Harrell with the Church Health Center.
How to rewrite your story
The Power of Story by Jim Loehr
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