What’s the story?

Most of you will probably remember this idiom courtesy of the four-chord Manc wonders churning out hits with their bucket hats and objectionable awards speeches. But it poses a question worth consideration. 

What’s your story? 

We all tell stories about ourselves and our businesses. Sometimes these stories are helpful, “we’re the only team in town that can do that special thing”. Sometimes, not so helpful, “I’m not a creative person”. 

As you will have heard many a business guru or uncomfortably ardent internet life coach opine, your self talk and the story you craft for your persona are important. You can turn them into a boon that will see you through tough times, or they can create unhelpful, immovable definitions that leave you wallowing in a sea of helplessness and stagnating growth. 

2023 – A chance to redefine your story 

January marks the beginning of a new year. A fresh start if you like. I love this time and the opportunity to leave things behind in the past, and decide what you’re going to take forward with you into 2023. 

My story this year is all about consolidation and moderation. I’m hoping for a boring year where nothing exciting happens, so that I can crack on and do great work for my clients without the distractions of an exciting personal life or a court case or a house move.  

From a business perspective, I think we’re all hoping for a steady, predictable year. No new prime minster or housing minister please. A steady economy: wherever the base rate lands please let it stay there. Please leave the planning system alone (too much to ask for, I know, but I am an optimist).  

Tough times are-a-coming so get your story straight 

The stories we tell – about ourselves and about the world around us – influence the things that happen in our lives. If you talk yourself down all the time, “I don’t belong here, I’m not good enough…” you’ll talk yourself out of the best opportunities. It’s the same in the business world. 

If the stories you tell are of impending doom (recession) or focussed on the reasons not to do something, that’s the story you’ll create for yourself. Yes, we all need to be aware of the challenges ahead and be prepared for them. But if that’s your focus, that’s all you’ll see. 

Most stories follow the same basic arc: our hero goes on a journey, encounters some difficulties , overcomes those difficulties, learns from it and becomes someone wiser, stronger and more successful as a result. If our heroes all told these negative internal stories to themselves, we’d have no Lord or the Rings, no Robinson Crusoe, no Hunger Games.  

If your story is about the journey, a positive approach to challenges and the emerging from it all stronger and fitter, you’ll see that the challenges ahead are simply hurdles to overcome, not insurmountable mountains that prevent you from going any further. 

Powering into 2023  

It’s inevitable that there are going to be some challenges in 2023. Expect some sticky moments and make sure you have some fun along the way.   

Whatever happens to you this year, I hope the challenges pass quickly and the successes remain with you.  

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If you need some help telling your story, give luma marketing a call and together, we’ll craft a tale for the ages.