3 Powerful reasons why you need to discover the power of stories
Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 10:48PM I'm recommending that everyone read The Power of Story by Jim Loehr and there are 3 simple, yet powerful reasons why:
1. It is important to realize that the human mind is quick to make assumptions and it tends to create mental constructs on the fly to explain what is happening and this process often occurs rapidly, unbeknownst to us, and to our unfortunate and ultimate detriment
2. Your mind is constantly creating new stories and to be aware that this process is happening and to learn to notice when it is happening is very powerful because you will then have the presence of mind to ensure you are not creating stories that will cause you harm
3. Once you understand the process and can recognize when it is occurring, you can identify unproductive stories you currently hold or catch yourself creating unhelpful stories and then change or replace these stories to ones that support you and your mission
Developing an understanding of the power of stories is not only a lesson in personal development, but also a business lesson in marketing and persuasion. How do giant companies with virtually limitless advertising dollars influence our thinking or behavior? What stories do they bombard us with over and over again to impress their brand upon our impressionable minds?
When you grasp how the mind uses stories you begin to identify the stories others tell themselves to talk them in to or out of certain behaviors or endeavors. What stories do you tell yourself that may be preventing you from getting what you want out of life? Ask yourself, "What stories or fault assumptions am I using that may be sabotaging my ability to succeed in a certain thing or any aspects of my life?"
Depending on your level of introspective ability, answers may not come easily, or, they may come flowing forth freely with little effort. I encourage you to keep asking yourself these questions until you've identified at least a few faulty stories. As you successfully identify these destructive stories you're probably going to experience a few "ah-ha" moments as you realize that you've been sabotaging your own success. Now, however, you'll be able to move forward with new awareness and the ability to create new, more supportive stories

