A close colleague recently reminded us that some of the career exercises we shared over the past couple of months, can be quite helpful in other areas of life.
The one she found particularly helpful was about crafting your stories. In that post, we encouraged you to make some notes about stories that describe you at your best, NOT at your best, feeling accomplished, and during a challenge, all to support you in telling your stories in your resume, cover letter, and interviews.
Crafting your stories can also be helpful when:
- you need a pick-me-up
- you’re doubting yourself or your worth
- you’re nervous for a big event
- when you’re feeling mired in negative thoughts
- when you want to remember successes or learnings
We’ve also found that specifically remembering your Hero Story, can be quite empowering.
Like Superman, we each have our own hero story. Superman’s is filled with deeds that seem heroic to us, but to him, he’s just using the gifts and talents that came with being born on Krypton.
In fact, he goes to great lengths to minimize his gifts and talents, just as we often do.
Today, we’d encourage you to think about your Hero Story and write it down. You can magnify the effects of your story, by sharing it with a close friend, colleague, or even us!
If you’re having trouble thinking about your hero story, look through some of these prompts.
Perhaps you…
- are living successfully with a chronic illness or pain
- were raised by someone who was unfit to parent and yet you survived, thrived even
- are supporting your family even though it means staying in a job you don’t love
- worked 3 jobs to put yourself through college
- are raising your children alone
- are helping your parents to age with dignity
- have overcome an addiction
- survived the dissolution of a marriage or job
- stood on the front lines and defended our nation (whether abroad or right here at home)
In this current social media world, we are overloaded with the “wonderfulness” of everyone else’s life. What we don’t see is the reality behind the scenes – that we’re all living with and and/or have overcome something.
The struggles and challenges of life
have helped to make you
who you are.
What’s your hero story? We’d love to know.
If you’d like support
naming and claiming your hero story,
contact us today.
