What's Your Story?

Well, it's Super Bowl Sunday and everyone seems to be talking about who will win the big game and claim the coveted trophy. Regardless of who wins, the battle between the Chiefs and 49ers will soon be entered into the NFL history books. I'm sure it will be a great story and people will be talking about the tales of fumbles and field goals, turnovers and touchdowns, failures and successes for days to come (or possibly longer)!  

Success can have a very different meaning to different people. Some define success as winning the Super-Bowl-equivalent of their chosen field. Many would define it in terms of financial condition because, after all, that is what the world is constantly pushing for us to believe. They would say "You get the big money, you're a success!"

Contrary to those beliefs, some of the most successful people I know don't live lavish lifestyles or even have the ways or means to do so. They live simple and modest lives and while many of them may even be considered poor, they are (in reality) hugely successful.

The type of people I am talking about are those who overcame the odds and created lives better than what they had before. Ones who grew up in a home with an alcoholic father and drug-addicted mother, yet they remain sober, get up every day, and go to work.

Others who grew up in an abusive household yet loved their own kids and would never dream of hurting them mentally, physically, or emotionally. Even beyond those are the people who fell down a rabbit hole and had to dig themselves back out. To me, these are the real success stories of this world!

Here is what makes their stories truly special though: In almost every case they shared their stories at some point in their life's journey with other people. Some while they were still at the bottom of the well and others after they had overcome. Some by testifying in church and others by speaking at meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Some just shared their story privately with trusted friends or to people they found in need.

Telling your story is a powerful experience for many reasons but there are two main ones that I would like to share with you today: 

Sharing your story has a cleansing effect for you.

The simple exercise of putting your experiences into words helps to depersonalize them and robs them of whatever negative power they may hold over you.

Sharing your story helps other people.

No matter how terrible your experiences may have been, there is someone out there who is going through the same things as you went through and suffering in silence just as you have suffered. By giving a voice to your story, you are letting them know that they are not alone and that there are others who can understand their suffering and lend a helping hand.

Success isn't always what people believe it is. Sometimes the greatest successes are those less obvious to the outside world. Telling your story multiplies your victories while helping others achieve theirs.

My challenge for you this week:

Tell YOUR story!

1. What is your definition of a success?
2. Do you live your life in a way that demonstrates that definition?
3. Does your daily behavioral practices align with your desire to achieve success?
4. Write your own inspiring life story of achieving success. (Limit your story to two written pages!)

Send me a copy of your short story. I can't wait to read it!