The storyteller inside our head speaks louder and more fiercely than any other voice will ever speak to us.

We sometimes tell ourselves horrible stories of failure. We tell ourselves we can’t do it, we’re not good enough, we won’t succeed.

I grew up creating those stories of self-defeat as the narrator inside my head struggled to share uplifting and positive stories.

I learned how to better listen to the many positive and encouraging voices surrounding me from family, friends, and leaders. I’m grateful over the years I developed the ability to create better stories myself.

This process of telling myself a better story became my personal mantra as I shared a few weeks ago.

The story I most consistently tell myself will be the story that most consistently comes true in my life.

I focused on telling myself a better story.

A story of hope.
A story of courage.
A story of happiness.

A story that consistently said…

I can do this.

I still practice this today.

It’s not always easy. Sometimes the negative voices are strong and persistent. Sometimes life kicks my butt.

Consistency, like everything else in life, is the key.

The story I most consistently tell myself will be the story that most consistently comes true in my life.

A consistent story leads to consistent actions.
Consistent actions lead to consistent results.

There’s nothing fancy about my method. Others have taught the same thing, just in different words.

This age-old saying, contributed to many prominent figures, echoes well what I am sharing.

“Watch your thoughts, they become words;
watch your words, they become actions;
watch your actions, they become habits;
watch your habits, they become character;
watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

Even earlier, the apostle Paul in the New Testament taught the same doctrine to the Galatians.

“Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Yesterday, a friend of mine, Todd Thurston shared his thoughts on the power of telling ourselves a better story.

“We are a product of the stories we tell ourselves. We need to learn to get rid of all the old stories that bring us down or tell us we can’t do something and replace them with stories of confidence and of the things we are good at along with the people we are able to touch because of who we are.”

HOW TO TELL YOURSELF A BETTER STORY

Michael Hyatt, teaching in language similar to mine, shares five steps for overcoming the limiting beliefs we tell ourselves.

1. Become aware of the Narrator. Half the battle is simply waking up and becoming conscious of the commentary running through our minds. Most people are oblivious to it. It is especially important to be alert to it whenever we experience adversity or trauma. Ask: Am I telling myself a story right now?
2. Write down what the Narrator says. When the story starts playing, take a minute and jot it down. Try to get it word-for-word. It could be, “I’m not a gifted public speaker.” Or, “I’ll never reach my goals.” Or, “He’ll never go out with a person like me.” Whatever the story is, get it down. Ask: What is the story am I telling myself right now?
3. Evaluate the story the Narrator is telling. It’s easy to confuse the Narrator’s voice with the Truth. But the Narrator is only offering one perspective, based on previous experiences and–too often–fear. We don’t have to accept the version of reality the Narrator is telling, especially if it’s disempowering and prevents us from reaching our goals. Ask: Is this storyline just a limiting belief?
4. Affirm what you know is true. You can either live life based on past experiences, current feelings, or the Truth. As one of my mentors often says, “Most people doubt their beliefs and believe their doubts. Do just the opposite.” Ask: What do I know to be true?
5. Write a new script. We don’t have to be passive spectators in our stories; we certainly don’t have to be victims. While God is ultimately sovereign, we have agency. Our choices matter–more than we think! They can affect the outcome. Ask: How can I make the choices that create the best possible story?

A BETTER STORY WILL WORK FOR YOU

Telling a better story will also work for you.

It takes work.
It takes effort.
It takes patience.

It takes getting back up when the loud and persistent narrator inside your head is sharing a convincing “play-by-play… color commentary,” as Michael Hyatt describes it, that you are not good enough.

It takes visualizing success, repeating affirmations, meditation, prayer, listening to encouraging voices, exercising, smiling, vocalizing, making your bed, drinking plenty of water, or any other trick or hack or habit you need to do to change a negative story to a positive story.

It takes telling yourself a better story.

It’s time.

The story you most consistently tell yourselves will be the story to most consistently come true in your life.

Have a great Monday! Thanks for letting me share.

Les

p.s. Take 13 minutes today to focus on telling yourself a better story.

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