Is it time to rewrite your story?
Have you ever stopped to listen to the story your mind tells—the constant stream of thoughts that shape your daily experience? These recurring thoughts are like scripts and hidden within them are the narratives of your life. But here's the secret: you are not just the actor playing a role; you are the writer, director, and protagonist of your own story.
Imagine your mind as a vast stage where the scenes of your life play out. The thoughts you entertain are the lines of your script, often rooted in deep-seated beliefs. When your inner narrative becomes dominated by self-doubt, limitation, or negativity, you need to recognize that you have the power to change the script and change your life.
The beauty of this realization lies in the fact that you're not merely reading lines handed down to you; you are the storyteller, with the ability to craft a narrative that elevates you. And when you learn to challenge those recurring thoughts that hold you back, you can consciously rewrite your script with empowering beliefs that propel you forward.
Given that nearly all of us have limiting beliefs that create self-destructive thoughts and impact the way we communicate, it’s important to check in periodically to actually hear what we’re saying to ourselves. This is especially important when we feel tired, stressed, and overwhelmed, because this is when we’re more likely to see things through a distorted lens.
And if you’re thinking to yourself, “I’m good! I really don’t do much negative self-talk,” I’d encourage you to listen for the negative stories you’ve created about others (family, coworkers, your manager) and practice expanding the perspective you hold them within. When we turn others into the challenging characters in our story, we lock them into a role that doesn’t serve anyone.
Here’s a proven practice for rewriting the stories you tell yourself and creating more ease in your life. Give it a go, today!
3 Steps to Rewriting Your Story
1. Identify the recurring thoughts that limit you––or the way you view others.
Simply start listening to your running narrative. Become aware of your inner dialogue and repetitive thought patterns.
Listen for the thoughts that pull you down––the self-defeating, negative things you say to yourself that damage your confidence and self-worth. (Alternatively, listen for the negative thoughts you have about others that rile you up!)
Write them down.
Notice how often they surface.
2. Dig a little deeper.
Next, figure out what’s driving this pattern of thought.
Ask yourself…
What must I believe about myself (or others) that causes me to have this thought on a regular basis?
What people, situations, and emotions trigger this pattern?
Where did this story come from?
What does this story perpetuate in my life?
What beliefs and perspective do I want to have about myself (or others)?
3. Change your thoughts. Change your mind.
Once you can clearly see the thought patterns that are creating your mindset, you can overwrite this unconscious programming and replace it using positive affirmations.
You have the ability to change the wiring in your brain by changing the thoughts you think––and you do it repeating positive affirmations.
Now, if you’re thinking this is some self-help, New Age nonsense, think again. This is neuroscience, so science.
What you’re doing is using the power of neuroplasticity; the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections that direct new thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Thus, creating a new mindset––a new story that elevates your experiences.
Here’s why it works. Saying affirmations helps to prune the old neural pathways that direct your behavior every time you say or think them. It’s like installing a new operating system based upon your new belief. Each time you affirm who you are becoming, you overwrite the old programming with new and improved software that supports personal growth.
Here the process:
Write down a positive affirmation that is the exact opposite of your negative thought or belief.
Begin with the words, “I am…” to reprogram your unconscious mind.
Add in a positive emotion that makes you feel good when you read it.
Be bold with your language; it helps to counter those deeply ingrained beliefs that have often been around for decades.
Start saying it out loud! (You can think it too, but words have even more power when they are voiced.)
Say it first thing in the morning when you wake up to program the conscious mind.
Repeat it whenever the old thought comes to mind to keep pruning the old circuitry.
Say it again before bed; just before sleep is the optimal time to prime the unconscious mind with new beliefs.
You may find that you don’t believe it when you first start saying it to yourself. And that’s okay. You will with time and practice.
If you ever struggle to see what’s really influencing and the way you communicate, you might consider our live online courses, self-paced study programs, and coaching circles. Each is designed to help you see yourself with more clarity and build the skills that help you to communicate with more confidence––and build more trusted relationships.
We all need help sometimes to see how our story and patterns are shaping our experiences. It can be hard to see the dynamics we are creating when we’re in the middle of a scene. And that’s where I can help!
Here’s to intentionally creating the stories that connect you to more health, joy, and meaningful connections.
Happily,
Maryanne
