We all have a past composed of great, good and not so good experiences. It’s up to us each moment of each day to decide exactly which experiences are a part of who we are today.

Client Sean is a great example of updating his story. Sean was a product of his environment in college--smoking, drugs and alcohol. He carried these behaviors into his 20s, never giving it a second thought. One surprising day, Sean learned that he had cancer. Though shocked and in the victim role for a short period, his focus turned to survival.

Now, ten years later, he is a marathon runner, amazing husband and dad, health nut, and emerging leader in his company and community. In fact, few people in Sean's world even know that he had cancer. It's simply not a part of today's story.

What is your story? Is something in your past holding you from moving forward strongly and powerfully? It could be something that happened only last week. You have it within you at this moment to simply breathe and let it go. It really is that simple.

Before you update your story, you do need to release the old one. Here are some methods to do just that:

• Talk about it to the point of nausea. You’ve circled around this wagon so much that it has become who you are. So just go there. Tell the story to one or many individuals so that you once and for all get it out and get whatever you want from reliving it over and over again—pity, sympathy, understanding? Once and for all get it off your chest and release it.


• Journal. This is personally my favorite technique, as it slows your mind down long enough to get to a deeper meaning. Go somewhere and pull out a pad of paper, stack of napkins - whatever works for you - and write until your hand aches. Then write some more. As the words come out, so will the healing and deeper meaning. If you are worried about someone reading your words later, just burn them. The key is that you get the learning.


• Draw, write a song,or dance or belt it out. For those of you who are more artistically talented, these are means to more rapidly get to the center of your story. Once at the center, it all makes more sense. You know what the moving parts are and precisely what to do with them. Follow your style. For some of you it will be loud and bold, while others will benefit from softness.

The next part is easy. As you release your old story, a brand new one will evolve. Your new story may surprise you as it may be nothing that occurred to you before. How could it? Your mind and heart were so filled with what was holding you back, how could you possible entertain thoughts of what will move you forward.

Enjoy your process and your new, updated story.

Ann

P. S. We'd love to hear how you used our ‘Success Thought of The Week’ in your business or personal dealings.

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Copyright & Permission Copyright © 1998-2006 All rights reserved

Permission is granted to either reproduce copy or distribute "Your Success Thought for the Week for March 28, 2007" as long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting the author is attached. The author is Ann Golden Eglé, Golden Visions Success Coaching, LLC, 541.385.8887, 21775 Rickard Rd., Bend, Oregon 97701, www.GoldenVisionsSuccess.com