The Story You Tell Yourself Creates Your Reality

At a young age, I began to tell myself a story that would greatly impact the course of my life:

I decided I wasn’t very smart.

Both of my parents went to the University of California and on to Dental School at UCSF.? I figured I would never measure up, so I didn’t bother trying.? I ended up going to a “State” school – Chico State to be exact, where I majored in Physical Education.? Not exactly a major for smart kids.

My parents did their best to convince me otherwise, but I lacked the confidence to tackle honors classes.? Instead, I showed some prowess on the athletic field as a distance runner, and even won a few awards along the way.

It wasn’t until well into my 30’s that I was able to eliminate my insecurities, appreciate my own intellectual capabilities and come into my own.? Heck, I even went to graduate school in my mid-30’s.? It took me that long before I felt smart enough to dip my toe in the water and give it a try, one class at a time!

There is one piece of wisdom I would share with the younger version of me:? Pay close attention to the stories you tell yourself, because stories create your reality.

Or as Mark Twain eloquently phrased it:

“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble.? It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”

One original, baseless story sends out powerful ripples…

What are the original stories you’ve been telling yourself?? Place them under a microscope:

·?????? Why do you believe those stories to be true?

·?????? Is there real evidence to support them?

·?????? What if the story is incorrect? What might you change?

The stories you tell yourself can either hold you back or push you forward.? There is no in between.

As Stuart Smalley famously said, "I'm good enough, smart enough and doggone it people like me."