January.

It’s the month when, full of the possibilities of a fresh new year, we assert, “This year things are going to be DIFFERENT.”

And by February 1, many of us are back to our old habits again.

Why IS that?

What prevents us – well, many of us and many companies, as well – from making substantial, meaningful, sustainable change?

It’s because the pull of the old stories we tell ourselves, about ourselves or our organizations, is astonishingly strong.

We need to break free of the power of their orbit.

Unwittingly, unconsciously, many of these stories box us in, tie us up, hold us back.

They make us blind to many possibilities, and much of our potential and our power.

The old stories limit:

- Who we are

- What we’re capable of, based on a variety of stereotypes we may be telling ourselves, about ourselves

- Our chances for success, for in many ways we fall prey to what they “predict” is likely to happen next

Think of it this way: if someone were looking at a movie of your life, or the life of your company, would they be watching a:

- Comedy?
- Drama?
- Action/adventure tale?
- Or (hopefully not) a horror story?
- Documentary, perhaps?

And then, consider:

- What’s the plot?

- Who are the main players?

- What’s your role in the plot?

- What’s likely to happen next, if you continue to play out this story and this role?

Now, of course, the audience for any movie wants surprise and high drama in the plot…that’s what keeps them in their seats.

But if you’re the person living that drama-filled life…well, you get the point…you want to take the drama out, wherever you can.

It will bring you far greater results which is much more fun, in the end, than the highs and lows of a drama-filled ride can ever be.

For example, if you viewed your life as a comedy, your secret wish might be to entertain those around you.

The primary “scenes” in that case might focus on pratfalls, near-misses and other assorted things that go wrong…except for the entertainment value they provide your friends.

However, if you view your life as an “overcoming all odds” story, then the plot line may focus attention on the odds stacked against you, followed by the many ways you did not fall victim to being beaten down by life, discouraged, depleted or otherwise kept from doing the most you could with the resources and talents you have.

To change, we have to see our stories in order to be able to move to a more positive path.

It is not easy to do.

But it’s definitely worth the effort it takes.

Make your story a good one, and one you want to live…not just the one you inherited, or were “assigned” by someone in your past.

In future posts I’ll give you steps you can follow to see your story more clearly. I’ll also share ideas you can use to create a better story, leading to a more satisfying path and far better results along the way.

If you found this article valuable, please share it with friends and colleagues who may find it useful, too. You’ll also like the free weekly newsletter I publish every Tuesday. You can sign up for the newsletter here.

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