In a world of change, where do you belong? The
answer's clear, it's time to be strong. Mindful
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with strong, reach for the stars. Resilient minds,
that's who we are. No awakening potential near...
This is Transformation Talk with Angela R. Strong,
season two, Empowered Edge series, episode seven.
Welcome to episode seven of Transformation Talks
with Angela R. Strong, Empowered Edge season.
I am Angela R. Strong, and today we're exploring
one of the most powerful tools for transformation.
and that is the ability to write your own story.
Every single one of us is living according to
a narrative that we've created about who we are,
what we're capable of, and what's possible for
our lives. The question is, are you the author
of that story or are you letting others write
that story for you? Today, we're taking back
that pen. For 27 years, I lived according to
a story that went something like this. I am the
person who fixes everything for everyone else.
My worth comes from being indispensable. If I'm
not solving problems, I'm not valuable. And this
story served me well in many ways. It drove me
to excel in the military, to take on challenging
assignments, to be the person others could count
on. But by 2024, that same story was destroying
me. I was burnt out, resentful, and facing a
crisis that I couldn't fix for myself or anyone
else. That's when I realized something profound.
The story that I've been telling myself about
who I was and what I needed to do wasn't actually
true. It was just one possible interpretation
of my experiences. And if I could create that
story, I could definitely rewrite it. The woman
who emerged from that crisis wasn't the same
person who entered it. Not because the facts
of my life changed, but because I changed the
story that I was telling about those facts. Before
you can rewrite your story, you need to understand
what story that you're currently telling yourself.
Most of us aren't even conscious of our personal
narratives because they run in the background
like software. shaping our decisions without
our awareness. Your personal story includes your
core beliefs about yourself. Am I capable, worthy,
strong, broken? Beliefs about others are people
worthy. Are they supportive, threatening? Beliefs
about the world. Is life fair? dangerous, full
of opportunity, beliefs about the past, where
my experience is mostly positive or negatives.
What do they mean about me? Beliefs about your
future. What's possible for me? What am I destined
for? Here's the crucial insight. These aren't
facts, they're interpretations. And interpretation
can be changed. Let me give you an example. Two
people experience job loss, right? Person A tells
the story. I was fired because I'm not good enough.
This proves I'll never succeed. Person B tells
the story. I was let go because the company was
restructuring. This is an opportunity to find
something that's better aligned with my values.
Same facts, completely different stories, completely
different outcomes. Rewriting your story isn't
about denial or toxic positivity. It's about
finding more empowering and accurate interpretations
of your experiences. Here's my five -step process.
Step one. Identify your current story. Write
down the story you tell yourself about who you
are, particularly around areas where you feel
that you're stuck. What narratives are you living
by? Step two, examine the evidence. Look at your
story objectively. What parts are facts and what
parts are interpretations? What evidence supports
your story? And what evidence contradicts it?
Step three. Consider alternative interpretations.
For every disempowering interpretation, brainstorm
three alternative ways to understand the same
experience. Get creative. What would a loving
friend say about your situation? Step four. Choose
your new story. Select the interpretation that's
both truthful and empowering. It should acknowledge
reality while opening up possibilities for growth
and change. Step five. Live into your new story.
This is the hardest part. Start making decisions
and taking actions that align with your new narratives.
Your new story becomes true as you live it. Let
me share how this worked for my career crisis.
My old story was, I'm a victim of an unfair system
that destroyed my career. My new story became,
I survived a challenging situation that revealed
my true strength and it prepared me to help others
navigate their own crisis, which is how Calibrated
Resilience was born. Both stories acknowledge
the same difficult experience, but one leaves
me powerless while the other position me as a
survivor and a survivor and a helper. And guess
which one that led to calibrated resilience?
The second, that's how I created calibrated resilience.
Let's practice the story writing power pulse.
I want you to think of an area in your life where
you feel stuck or you feel limited. Take three
deep breaths and create space for honest reflection.
Now ask yourself, what story am I telling myself
about the situation? What parts of the story
are facts versus interpretations? What would
a more empowering story sound like? How would
I act differently if I believe the empowering
story? What evidence exists that the empowering
story could be true? Feel the shift in energy
when you move from a limiting story to an empowering
one. That's the power of perspective and action.
Let me give you some common story rewrites. Old
story. I'm bad at relationships because I keep
getting hurt. New story. I'm learning what I
need in relationships and getting better at choosing
partners who can meet those needs. Old story.
I failed at my business, so I'm not cut out to
be an entrepreneur. New story. I gained valuable
experience that will make my next venture more
successful. Old story. My difficult childhood
damaged me permanently. New story. My challenging
experiences developed resilience and empathy
that helped me connect with others and to help
me overcome obstacles. Old story. I'm too old
to change careers now. New story. I have valuable
experience and wisdom that will serve me well
in any new field. Notice how those new stories
don't deny the challenges or pretend that everything
was easy. They simply Frame the same experiences
in ways that create possibility rather than limitation.
This week, I want you to identify one limiting
story that you've been telling yourself. Write
it down. Then I want you to work through it with
the five -step rewriting process that I just
gave you. Practice telling yourself the news
story daily. Notice how it feels different in
your body and how it influences your decisions
and your actions. I want you to share your news
story with someone that you trust. Because sometimes
saying it out loud helps make it more real. Remember,
you are not your past. You are not your mistakes.
you are not your limitations. You are the author
of your life story, and you have the power to
rewrite any new chapter starting right now. Next
week, we're exploring finding purpose in your
pain. Until then, remember, the story you tell
yourself about your life becomes the life you
live. I'm Angela Armstrong, and this has been
Transformation Talk with Angela Armstrong. If
you like this episode, like, share, subscribe,
and I will see you next week on the next episode.
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