Shaping
Self
Each day, we write a little bit more of our stories. As you reflect on what matters to you, ask what stories you want to keep developing over time. Here’s how you can revise your personal story to help you explore purpose.
Each day, we write a little bit more of our stories. As you reflect on what matters to you, ask what stories you want to keep developing over time. Here’s how you can revise your personal story to help you explore purpose.
How do you describe yourself when you are talking about yourself? Take a few minutes to write down as many phrases that you use to describe yourself. These might range from qualities that describe you to your skills or challenges (see examples below).
Story Starters
When you think about it, each of these statements is a story that you tell about yourself to the world. You have the power to keep telling the stories that align most with how you want to see yourself. Select one phrase that you feel are positive, and you want to keep developing and expressing.
Story Stoppers
Sometimes the stories we tell ourselves are not very helpful, detract from our confidence, or make us feel like we can’t do something. The good news is that you can always change the stories you tell yourself. Pick three phrases that you might like to stop telling yourself and take this opportunity to change them. For example, if you said “I am not creative,” you could reframe your story to: “I can be creative if I choose to be.” Use the tips below to break down one story that is no longer aligned with who you want to be.
my story reframe TIPS
Even small changes to the stories you tell yourself can help build your confidence, but it takes practice to reframe how you see yourself. Grab a notebook, and one page, write a positive story that you want to keep telling yourself (from Step 2). On another page, write your reframed or changed story (from Step 3). As you explore purpose in your life, check in on these stories throughout the rest of the process and use them to help inform the next steps you choose to pursue.
Sometimes the way we describe ourselves or the stories we tell about ourselves can be self deprecating or not representative of who we want to be anymore. You can make changes to your story by simply changing the words you use to describe yourself. Notice as the people around you follow your lead.
Our personalities can evolve and grow as we take on new qualities and identities. Lean in to different aspects of your identity, or even take on a new one! For example, maybe you have always wanted to be more outdoorsy or more artsy – how might you take actions that show these sides of yourself?
Meeting new people is the perfect chance to play around with new ways of introducing yourself. Pretend you’re going to meet someone new — what will you mention first? What stories will you share about yourself? Plan a quick introduction and try it out. Notice how it feels to you and where it takes the conversation.