5 Questions to Examine the Story You Believe About Yourself
Want to know the most powerful force shaping your life right now?
It's not your job, your relationships, or even your past experiences. It's the story you believe about yourself.
This story is like an invisible script running in the background of your life. It's influencing your relationships, your career, your health - everything. And here's the kicker: you've probably believed it for so long that you don't even realize it's there.
Why does this matter?
Because the story you're living could be holding you back from your full potential. It might keep you stuck in patterns that frustrate you or stop you from taking risks that could improve your life.
Most people make the mistake of accepting their stories as absolute truth.
They don't realize that the narrative they're living isn't a fixed reality, but a perspective they've adopted over time. They go through life reacting to a script they didn't choose, never questioning if it's serving them or holding them back.
The biggest misconception is thinking these stories are just "who you are" rather than seeing them as learned beliefs that can be examined and changed. People often don't realize how much power they have to reshape their narrative and, by extension, their lives.
If you don't examine your story, you risk living a life defined by limitations that aren't even real. You might miss out on incredible opportunities, stay stuck in unfulfilling situations, or never fully embrace your true potential. Your relationships, career, and personal growth can all suffer because of a story you've never questioned.
The good news? You can examine your story and rewrite it to live a better life.
Here are 5 questions to help you do just that:
1.What's the first line of your story?
Authors labor over the first sentence of a book because it shapes the trajectory of the entire story.
What’s the first line of your story? If you were to sum up your belief about yourself in one sentence, what would it be? This primary belief about yourself sets the tone for everything else in your life. Reflect on what this line is for you and how it's influencing your life.
2.Who wrote the first line of your story?
After you clarify your primary belief about yourself and the first line of your story, take a few minutes to think about who wrote that line. Some of us didn't even write our own stories. It might have been a parent, a negative teacher, or a traumatic experience. Identifying the author helps you understand where your story came from and whether it's truly yours to keep.
3.Who benefits from your story?
Sometimes we hold onto stories that work against us because they benefit someone else. Or, if we're honest, sometimes we benefit from our own negative stories - they keep us safe, small, and protected from risk. Ask yourself who's really gaining from the narrative you're living.
4.Is your story accurate and complete?
Often, our stories reject data that challenges our beliefs while accepting information that supports them. Ask if you're seeing the whole picture. Are there positive aspects you're overlooking? Bringing in all the information can dramatically change your narrative.
5.How is this story shaping your actions and outcomes?
Our beliefs create our actions, which in turn create our outcomes. If your story is rooted in shame or trauma, it might lead to minimal actions and less-than-ideal results. Consider how a different story could lead to more positive actions and better outcomes in your life.
Here's the bottom line:
You have the power to rewrite your story. And when you rewrite your story, you rewrite your life. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it.
This week, I challenge you to take some time and examine your story. Ask yourself these five questions. Be honest with yourself. And if you find that your story isn't serving you, remember - you have the power to change it.
You're the author of your life. Make it a story worth telling.
Thanks for reading,
Mike Foster
