What Narrative Are You Tuned Into?
I stared at the screen, my finger hovering over the submit button. I had been testing out a new AI tool on the X platform, curious to see what it could do. At first, I considered using a simple prompt like "Summarize my posts" or "Give me content ideas."
But as I scanned the list of suggested prompts, one completely captured my attention:
"Roast Me."
Apparently, it would analyze my profile, scan my posts, and generate a witty critique—harsh, but humorous.
I hesitated for a second. Do I really want to see this?
Curiosity won. I clicked the button.
In an instant, the response flashed onto the screen:
Cliff, your podcast titles scream "self-help guru in the making," but let's be real, you're more like the "self-help friend who's still figuring it out." You talk a big game about freedom and success, but your posts read like a never-ending self-improvement checklist. Between all the "mindful moments" and "choosing freedom," are you sure you're not just choosing to sound profound on the internet? And that profile pic with the microphone—are we sure you're not just practicing for your next ‘how to sound wise’ episode? Keep at it, though; maybe one day you'll convince yourself first.
I exhaled sharply, my stomach tightening.
I suppose, in a way, I had asked for this. My curiosity had led me to click the button. I had taken the bait.
It was meant to be a joke. A lighthearted AI-generated roast. But still—it hit somewhere deep.
Not because it was true. But because, for a long time, I had feared that it was.
The Echo of Doubt
This wasn’t the first time I had heard something like this.
For more than a decade, one individual has repeatedly sent me messages echoing this same sentiment. At first, I assumed it was different people—some blunt, some passive-aggressive, some pretending to be “helpful.”
But one day, I noticed a pattern. Despite using different names and email addresses, every single one of these “commenters” shared the same IP address. That was when I realized—I didn’t have more than a dozen people who thought this about me. I had just one. The same person I had blocked long ago.
Before I realized it wasn’t a growing number of people who felt this way—but the same person over and over—I had taken their words personally. For longer than I want to admit, those messages burrowed deep, planting seeds of doubt. Am I just pretending? Do I actually know what I’m talking about?
Here’s the thing… I had spent years growing, learning, pushing my limits—not just in business, but in my own self-awareness. I had worked with incredible clients, helped people break through limiting beliefs, seen real transformations unfold in front of me. I had lived this work.
And yet, the moment I read those words, I felt it—that familiar tightening in my stomach. I was fascinated by how a few sentences on a screen could still send a ripple through the part of my brain that once held onto those old fears.
That’s the danger of well-placed criticism. It doesn’t have to be true to feel real. It only needs to touch something that once lived inside you.
But here’s what struck me—this time, it didn’t stick.
I caught it in the moment. The insecurity that once made those words feel true had already faded. I had already done the work. The shift had already happened.
And with that realization, I saw the words for what they really were—just echoes of an old belief I no longer carried.
The Shift in Perspective
I leaned back in my chair, rereading the words on the screen.
Not long ago, something like this would have lingered in my mind for days, maybe even weeks—gnawing at the edges of my confidence, forcing me to question myself.
But now? It was different.
The moment I recognized what was happening, I felt something powerful—I wasn’t inside that old insecurity anymore. I was outside of it, observing it like a distant memory.
I saw the roast for what it really was—not an objective truth, not even a personal attack, but a reflection of a particular way of thinking. A mindset rooted in cynicism, skepticism, and scarcity. A mindset I no longer subscribed to.
Years ago, I might have agreed with some of those words, even if I didn’t say them out loud. I might have seen vulnerability as weakness, confidence as arrogance, generosity as desperation, and self-improvement as an endless treadmill of trying to be enough.
The younger version of me—before all the growth, before I had done the deep work—might have written a roast like this too. Not out of malice, but because that’s how many people are conditioned to see the world.
Success must come through traditional paths.
Offering too much value for free means you’re desperate.
Confidence is just another word for ego.
But that wasn’t my belief anymore.
Now, I see things differently:
Through this lens, my work isn’t about sounding wise—it’s about sharing my real experiences, insights, and tools that have changed my own life and the lives of my clients.
Through this lens, my generosity isn’t neediness—it’s the overflow of someone who has enough, and who believes there is more than enough for everyone.
Through this lens, my passion isn’t performance—it’s the natural expression of someone fully aligned with what I’m meant to do.
The words on the screen hadn’t changed. The criticism still existed.
But the lens through which I viewed it had shifted.
Choosing a New Narrative
If the AI hadn’t suggested the "Roast Me" prompt, I never would have chosen to run my posts through that particular filter. I had spent too many years roasting myself—questioning, doubting, and scrutinizing every move. But those days were long behind me.
So, out of curiosity, I decided to try something that was more aligned with my inner narrative today.
I typed in a new prompt:
“Encourage me.”
A few seconds later, the response appeared:
Cliff, you're on an incredible journey, and your passion for personal growth and sharing wisdom is truly inspiring. Every podcast you create, every thought you share, is a step towards not just your success, but also empowering others. Keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible, keep inspiring those around you, and remember, each episode you produce is a testament to your dedication and belief in a better tomorrow. You've got this! Keep shining, keep growing, and keep sharing your light with the world.
I read it twice. Then once more.
And I laughed. These were the words most reflective of my inner narrative today—words that, in part, have been shaped by the thousands of people around the world who have shared their encouragement with me over the years.
The irony wasn’t lost on me. The same AI that had crafted a cynical roast had also, with the right prompt, offered genuine encouragement.
The posts documenting all the podcast episodes I had produced, the actions I had taken, and the words I had shared on my social media hadn’t changed. What changed was the filter used to evaluate them.
It is the same in life.
The Path Forward
Your story is still being written. The world is full of perspectives—some that shrink you, some that expand you.
The question isn’t which perspectives exist. The question is, which narrative will you allow to shape your future?
The words you use create the meaning behind what you perceive and how you see yourself.
What stories are you telling yourself about your experience of life?
What words are you choosing to describe it?
Choose wisely.
Cliff
P.S. I’d love to hear from you. Does this message resonate with you? Have you ever caught yourself seeing your life through an old filter—one that no longer reflects who you are today? Hit send me a DM and let me know your thoughts. I read every message.