The only person that can truly tell your story is you.
Each of us are truly one of a kind. Sure, there may be similarities and characteristics close in nature. However, we are unique and based on this, we have a special story to tell. It is a story based on our experiences, thoughts, and perspective. What you have grown thru has shaped your point of view. Life experiences have allowed you to fully transform towards your true potential and also left you questioning your abilities and influence. The effect our experiences have on us and others moves further along than we may really understand.
We go thru certain seasons that can question our commitment and courage. We rise up and fall down. Hopefully, we are able to withstand and thrive thru what life has in store. There are times when life simply happens. All of us go thru unexpected losses, setbacks, and disappointment. They can really take us for a loop. Often, choices we make set the stage for what may happen next. Better known as consequences, we place ourselves in certain circumstances thru the freedom of what we want to do. We experience points where everything clicks into place. We catch the break, things work in our favor, and we feel the essence of positive results. Other times shake us to the core when we are barely able to keep our head above water.
Setback after setback leave us wondering if it will ever end. We question our ability, desire, and willingness to continue down the path we have attempted to set out to conquer. The positive and the negative capture the spirit of our story and demonstrate how life is a matter of continued acts and pockets of the overall story. Our story is unique and unlike anyone else’s. No one can tell our story as well as we can. Our story is a continued work in progress as we shape up, clean up, shine up, and step up to the challenges facing us. In my view, there are a few things to keep in mind as we tell our story. Now, it is not just a matter of telling it but also a product of showing it thru our actions. What should someone gain by hearing about your story?
It is your story
Rather than comparing yourself to others, compare yourself from yesterday. Are you slightly improved? Hopefully you can say yes to that question. Why? Because thru each experience, you gain an invaluable bit of information. You learn something new about yourself. Yes, there are moments where you take a few steps forward while others appear to pull you a number of steps back. However, it is your perspective and next steps that determine where you end up. I really identify with the statement “It will either make you Better or Bitter”. It goes back to my earlier statement about not comparing ourselves to others. We may see someone who appears to have it all together. The outward appearances show a picture of beauty. They have two kids perfect in every way. They have the perfect life including the dream house, car, lavish vacations, and simply the ideal life. Social media can certainly orchestrate that visual with editing, technology, captioning, and photo crops. However, it is doubtful that everything is always what it seems. Therefore, why are we comparing ourselves to a scripted and edited version of someone else’s reality? They may have trouble in the relationship, notices from the bank, and chinks in the armor of reality. We just do not know what is truly going on behind the scenes. Therefore, focus on you and what you are doing to improve your outcome. Work on your story rather than wishing to have someone’s story that is really too good to be true. Your challenges are yours alone and designed to allow you to become the best version of yourself.
Don’t wish on it but work on it
You want a better outcome? The good news is that it is well within your grasp. You have the right skills, opportunity, and chances to make it happen for you. The reality is that it will not come true if the only thing you do is wish for it. No, you have to work on it. It is on you to find a way as you make a way towards what you want to see take place. You have to be honest with yourself and recognize that it takes a focused approach to shift things towards the desired result. It requires a mindset that is kind, positive, and geared towards making things come true. Your positive thoughts turn into the necessary action that influences and bring about your results. You are better served by working on the following:
Your attitude
Your aptitude
Your willingness to expand beyond your comfort zone
Your preparation
Your resilience
Your focus
Your goals
Your understanding
Your hope
You have what it takes to shift your story. After all, it is your story. Be willing to pivot and adjust as necessary to make your story come alive. Allow it to be an inspiration for others to follow. Allow the example of your story to serve as an example for others to learn from and apply in their own lives. You have a story that is waiting to be told. Only you can tell it while you share in your continued journey
Rereading, I’m thinking that the best stories to share are those when you’re a kid. They are easy to articulate. And they are very relateable.
I’ve learned over the years, and wishing that my grandchildren could learn much quicker than I did, that we are our a story, and that a room full of people are all stories in life. Your article is spot on!
I was sitting in Little Caesars and thinking about my own “hero’s journey.” I made sure I wrote all my ideas down. 🙂
Probably the most damaging practice, which we all do from time to time, is comparing ourselves to others. There is always someone more handsome, taller, richer, more famous, etc. The take away for me in this article is the admonition to compare ourselves to how we were yesterday, or last week. That is the foundation for our story to be a happy one.
Like to add that I think what really adds to a story is exaggeration and using that exaggeration to drive humour during your story. Then others will remember it and most likely will share it.
We’re working on an overarching corporate story along these lines for restructuring, readiness, and change. We are including some abstractions too so we have some memorable pictures to coincide with our story.
Another great one Chris. We create our story daily. I think as you say you have prepare. We prepare to give, to receive, to welcome change, to remember and to look forward to what may come our way. In the end we own our story