As an essential component of your brand, your narrative is a framework that enables you to express who you are in a simple, memorable way that others can easily follow. Additionally, it shines a light on your unique value proposition, i.e., the unique gifts you bring forth in your daily actions that make you, YOU.
What you tend to share with others can offer you a reflective glimpse into your inner world and whether you’re living in congruence or not. This understanding can help you assess if your narrative needs a little refresh or a full upgrade to propel you forward and align with the present day.
Investigate the story behind your narratives.
Self-reflection is the process of observing and evaluating how you think, feel, and act. This introspective process can help you enhance your brand by increasing awareness of your conscious and unconscious thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.
Your world is ever-changing, with endless possibilities and a core story that can be told in various ways. Just like a kaleidoscope, the particulars you choose can evoke different perspectives, meanings, and responses.
For instance, two people let go from their jobs could experience the rift differently, one as failure and another as an opportunity, demonstrating how two possible narratives can form from the same scenario.
How you talk to and treat yourself in these circumstances affects your self-worth, self-esteem, and self-image.
Harness your You-Ness through decision making.
When you’re confident in what makes you, YOU, you’re able to trust and acknowledge all parts of yourself—“the good, bad, and ugly”—and choose what’s right for you in the context of your environment and the people in it.
Dr. Dan Siegel coined the term “Mindsight” to describe the vast human capacity to alter your brain and your thoughts. He teaches the “Wheel of Awareness” to access the “plane of possibility,” where reinvention is achievable with focus, purpose, and motivation.
By expanding your perspective, you can shift your mindset, transform your outlook, and unlock your potential to see your experiences as lessons and welcome new possibilities. Harnessing your You-Ness helps you authentically connect with yourself and script a story that supports your highest expression.
Here are five steps to help you assess your narrative and refresh or upgrade it.
#1 Gain a clear perspective of the past, present, and future.
Evaluating your time orientation can help you discern the origin of your storyline. For instance, when voices of the past are causing negative patterns or behaviors to surface, listen to what this part of you is trying to do, which, often from an internal family systems lens, is to protect you.
Reminding yourself that you’re in a different place in your life and are older, wiser, with much more experience and skills than you had prior can be helpful. Then, look to the future to expand your thinking and open yourself up to what is imaginable. Once you gain clarity, return to the present moment. Focus on what is true of who you are and who you are becoming, and give these thought patterns 100% of your attention.
#2 Gather and assess the facts.
Ask yourself, “What reflects me now?” and “What do I need to update or reframe?” Separating essential facts from less essential data can help you organize relevant themes. For example, information that describes your background and expertise for a job interview. If you’re having difficulty with categorizing what’s meaningful, learning your Human Design (HD) can help. Your customized HD blueprint provides a visual representation of your energy schema, traits, tendencies, soul, and life purpose. It offers insight into “conundrums” that influence you, such as inner conflicts where you may feel like an “impostor” in your own skin or act in self-sabotaging ways. Once you are aware of these challenges, you can work to minimize or eliminate the instinctual patterns and subtexts that form in response to them.
#3 Structure your content centered on your desired state.
Your brand should get to the heart of you—your essence—and depict who you are, what you do, and where you’re headed, guided by core principles that shape your actions and behaviors. Use the message triangle tool to help you build your vision, goal, and core messages of your narrative for multiple applications. To further amplify your message, choose power or action words that give your message a dynamic vibe and add oomph, such as “spearheaded, surpassed, maximized, created.” Then, as your own advocate, you can “live your brand” and position yourself in an articulate, coherent, and consistent manner.
#4 Take aligned actions.
Your activities need to support your narrative for it to be personified. Consider: “How do I feel?” and “How do I want to feel?” and notice if there is any disparity between the two. Additionally, assess, “What’s holding me back?” and “What would help me move toward my goal?” From there, you can choose actions to bring your description to life in your mind, body, and heart. If you seem stuck or in a negative loop, what you’re saying and doing may be misaligned. The Beckhard-Harris Change Model indicates that your desire, vision, and first steps must be present to overcome resistance, i.e., you must be dissatisfied with your current status and have a strong vision for where you want to go. Crafting a change action plan can help you navigate through any challenges.
#5 Believe in yourself through practice.
As Christoper Robin tells Winnie the Pooh in the classic film Pooh, “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Confidence levels are dynamic depending on your interpretations, circumstances, and the influence others have over you. Strengthening your emotional intelligence skills and self-connection can help you build the discipline to trust in yourself and your abilities. Also, working with your entire Enneagram Profile can help you understand how you relate to the world and those around you, empowering you to be more objective, reclaim your authority, and show up with executive presence.
Share your distinctive magnificence with the world.
Finding what works for YOU is key, as your stance on YOU makes all the difference. With focus and intention, you can become more self-aware and mindful, using what you learn to make minor adjustments that magnify your presence through stories and narratives that represent and propel you forward.
Activate your best with those around you.
Self-leadership is about getting to know yourself better and applying that knowledge to how you interact with others. As a lifelong student, certified professional coach, and consultant, activating the best in others through self-leadership, interpersonal relations, and team dynamics are passions of mine. My approach is personalized and customized, tapping into various assessments, disciplines, modalities, and techniques. Contact me to schedule a free consultation.