What's the Story You're Telling Yourself?

I'm too tired...I don't have time...I want to but I have to do something else first...I'll do it tomorrow! The list goes on and on.

These are stories that many people keep telling themselves. Unfortunately, these stories are holding them back from achieving their desired goals.

If you fit into this category of individuals then you need to realize that:

The only thing keeping you from what you really want is the STORY you keep telling about why you can't have it!

You can call stories EXCUSES if that works better for you. The point is that in order to achieve your goals you need to stop telling yourself (and others) stories about why things haven't worked out for you OR that you don't have time (to exercise) OR whatever else!

Why do we make up stories in the first place?

Every human being has the same needs. You just have to figure out which of those needs is being met by making up stories and believing them.

The 6 basic human needs are the following:

1. the need for certainty2. the need for variety3. the need for significance

4. the need to feel connected and loved5. the need for growth6. the need to contribute

For instance, if you're looking to lose weight and have not succeeded, then perhaps you've been telling yourself that you don't have time to exercise or that other people might judge you while you're working. As a result, you haven't taken action.

But here's the interesting part...does your story give you a feeling of significance? Does it make you feel more connected or loved by others? Does your story give you a sense of certainty?

I'm almost certain that it doesn't give you a sense of growth or contribution (which are ultimately what we want to be striving for)!

Think about this for a second. Everything we do, we do for a reason. Some people tell stories so that others will empathize or feel sorry for them and so they feel a sense of connection or love from other people.

The point is that you need to find other ways to get these primal needs met. If you keep telling a story to get sympathy from others you will not succeed at attaining your goal because you've associated too much pleasure to the story (because of the attention you receive).

So here's what you need to do to break the habit...

Ask yourself the following question:

"What is this story costing me?"

Get associated with the pain that your story(ies) have cost you. What have you missed out on? What have you not become?

Once you identify these issues then you can redirect your energy to find empowering ways to feel a sense of growth, contribution, and love each and every day.

Exercising, eating well, learning new things, loving others and yourself, are just a few examples of empowering DAILY HABITS that will make feel more fulfilled.

Stop telling stories and take action!

YURI