How To Rewrite Your Story

Every day we tell a story about ourselves.

Sometimes, it's just the thoughts in our own head that tell this story. Even if we don't express those thoughts to anyone else.

And other times, the story is told through our language and the words we use to talk about and describe ourselves to others. For example, have you ever said something like...

"I wish I could workout consistently, but I just get bored in the gym!"

"I really want to start working out again, I just need to get my life together first."

"Did you see how much weight she was lifting? I could never do that!"

None of these phrases seem particularly problematic, right? They are simple, seemingly harmless strings of words that we have probably all used before...

But our brain is always listening.

And yes, it's possible that at some point in your life you were going to the gym and it felt boring. This is not meant to deny your experience.

But by continuously stating this to yourself and others as if it's a fact, what you are really saying is:

"My mind is closed to the idea of working out again because of my past experience."

"My health is not that high on my list of priorities."

"I don't believe that I have the capacity to get much stronger."

Well great...

Now it all sounds so sad!

The bottom line is: The stories we tell ourselves shape what we believe we're capable of.

And what we believe we're capable of determines the actions we take.

So if our inner dialogue says something negative, we'll subconsciously act in ways that reinforces it.

But this also means that if our inner dialogue says something positive, we give ourselves permission to grow into a better version of ourselves.

So, instead of waiting until you’ve achieved "the goal" to start believing in yourself...

Try taking notice of your inner dialogue. Is it helping you grow? Or is it holding you back?

Let's start talking to ourselves as if we already are the person we want to become.

ACTION ITEM

Catch one negative thought you have about yourself this week.

Then, practice reframing it into something empowering.

Examples:

Negative thought: “I’m so out of shape!”
Reframe: “I’m rebuilding my strength, one workout at a time.”

Negative thought: “I always fall off track on the weekends.”
Reframe: “I’m learning how to find balance and enjoy my weekends without losing progress.”

Negative thought: “I’ll never be consistent.”
Reframe: “I’m getting better at showing up for myself, even when it’s hard.”