Personal belief, self identity, accumulated skills & knowledge inform the perception of our potential.
How can we maximise these to work in our favour, supporting our continual personal growth rather than against us?
Recently, I engaged in an animated verbal dialogue with a close pal.
In hindsight, my choice of words caused our exchange to enter murky waters.
“You’re making up stories”, I fervently exclaimed, inadvertently suggesting that my buddy was intentionally “telling porkies (lies).”
I spent the next few minutes clarifying what I actually meant.
I explained that they were using real facts to create a conclusion that I didn’t believe was helpful for them and it was my duty as a friend to call it out.
That’s when it hit me. Don’t we all do this?
Facts are fixed, solid & unchanging but the meanings, those are up to us. As humans, we are story making machines, that’s what we do.
As a middle aged man who is passionate about health, fitness & wellbeing, I’ve learnt how powerful a story can be to spur us on to the next challenge.
* Stories help teams bounce back after what looked like defeat.
* Stories fuel fighters to rise from the canvas when the odds say they’re done.
* Stories push endurance athletes to “go harder” when all the facts suggest they should “go home.”
So the next time you encounter facts that suggest that the game, race or match is over, just write a new story. It may help push you to the finish line.
👉 So I’ll ask you:
• How have your stories helped you push through impossible challenges?
• Have you ever rewritten a story that wasn’t serving you or your team?
Would love to hear how you’ve used the power of story to fuel growth, staying power and performance.
