What is Your Story?

A beloved friend was sharing a story with me recently. She was having a conversation with her son and talking about being mindful of how we show up every day. She suggested that each day he consider the impact he was making on the world. If someone in his class was asked about him, what story would they tell? As his mother, what story would he tell about her?

It’s a powerful concept.

What is your story?

How much richer would each of our lives be if we had this north star every day and used it to focus our attention, guide our actions and how we treat others?

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I wrote down her wise words on my note pad at work (isn’t it cute??) and have been staring at it for a few days.

It’s a bit of a daunting exercise. And feels a bit like you’re writing your own eulogy, which is kind of icky.

But it is powerful.

I want my story to be as follows:

• She loves her family wholeheartedly.
• She is full of positive energy and lights up a room.
• She has a kind heart and is a good friend, generous to others.
• She seeks to inspire and encourages others to live their best life.
• She values health and making the most of our health.
• She likes to set big, audacious goals and achieve them.
• She loves adventure, seeing new places, and unexpected experiences.
• She is a creative soul and loves to write and make beautiful things.
• She is curious and commits to lifelong learning and growth.

I’m sure there is more to my story. But in stream of conscious fashion (literally two minutes or less), without a lot of thought, this is my story.

It’s interesting to me that my story doesn’t mention my workplace, it doesn’t mention desired professional success, it doesn’t mention wealth or status. Instead, it focuses on the parts of my life that must really, really matter to me.

So how do I make my story real? How do I deliver on it every day? How do I have tangible examples of each item that will add up over the course of my life to make my desired story my reality?

I like this as a challenge. Because each of us writes our own book, building our narrative, and charting our course every single day. Knowing your story and doing everything you can to make it real is perhaps the most important work we will do.