Hello hello, and welcome back, dear reader!
I hope you had a fantastic week or month filled with soul-nourishing experiences. It's yours truly, Heike 🤭, and I'm excited to dive into a topic that has been on my mind lately: The power of the stories we tell ourselves.
As the part of me that is the mindset coach and a passionate lover of storytelling and metaphors, I firmly believe that the narratives we construct about our lives, businesses, and brands play a significant role in shaping our reality.
So, let's explore this concept together, starting with the stories we tell ourselves.
Our personal narratives are like a compass guiding our lives. We often perceive them as absolute truths, much like knowing the Earth is round and orbits the sun. But remember a time, not so long ago in the grand scale of human history, when people believed the Earth was flat (and carried on top of four elephants, which stand on top of a giant turtle), and was at the centre of the universe? (How rude!) Our belief systems are moulded by the stories we've been told, just as the young and curious beings we once were.
These stories come from various sources: grandparents, parents, teachers, mentors, and society itself. We absorb them like sponges, and they shape our beliefs. For example, if you were raised with stories of hardship and sacrifice, you might carry the belief that life is tough, and you don't deserve the good things that come your way.
If your father told you that "money doesn't grow on trees," you might have internalized the idea that success requires relentless effort and the burden of providing for your family rests solely on your shoulders. Similarly, if your mother juggled multiple roles and never questioned the family's financial decisions, you might have absorbed the notion that women must be like a sacrificial lamb, selfless, and money is a man's concern.
These inherited beliefs blend with the ones we form ourselves as we grow up. For most of us, the journey into entrepreneurship doesn't happen right after school. We spend years in the corporate world, and sometimes, the mindsets we adopt there can hinder our progress as self-employed individuals.
One common misconception is that a brand is separate from the company. This might hold true for large corporations, but for small business owners and solopreneurs like many of us, our brand and our personal identity are intertwined. Our belief system profoundly influences how we perceive the world and our capabilities – and therefore the business and all that comes with it.
For instance, if a family member's entrepreneurial endeavours repeatedly failed but they displayed unwavering resilience, you might have internalized the idea that business doesn't work, but with enough determination, you can persevere. Such beliefs can operate in your subconscious, affecting your actions without your awareness.
However, your upbringing can also empower you. If you come from a background where entrepreneurship is celebrated and setbacks are viewed as learning experiences, you'll likely approach challenges with greater resilience and optimism.
Now, here's the good news: our brains are malleable, much like Playdough. This quality is known as neuroplasticity. You can reshape your belief system. It's not set in stone. Take a moment to sit down with a cup of tea and ponder the origins of your beliefs. Examine the small, everyday habits or dislikes, and ask yourself why you do them that way. How did these beliefs form? Many of them likely came from other people.
For instance, consider the case of your mother's coffee preferences. Her initial dislike for a press coffee maker was influenced by your father's liking for it. Your brain absorbed this preference, and it affected your choices for years until you revisited the idea and made a change.
So, challenge your belief system. Reflect on where your beliefs originate and how they relate to your actions. To help you get started, here are some business-specific questions:
1. What is my belief about being self-employed? Why? Where does it come from?
2. What is my belief about earning and deserving money? Why? Where does it come from?
3. What is my belief about branding and my business? Why? Where does it come from?
4. What is my belief about my ideal clients? Why? Where does it come from?
5. What is my belief about my capability as a business owner? Why? Where does it come from?
Remember, your beliefs can be reshaped and adapted to new ideas, experiences, and beliefs. You have the power to transform your mindset and create a new narrative that aligns with your goals and aspirations.
And when you want to reshape and adapt new ideas and create the experience you desire, book in for my discovery call here, and start the journey into your dream future:
And with that, dear reader, I'll leave you to contemplate and challenge your beliefs.
Yours truly, Heike 🤘🌊🐙🌊🤘
コメント