What is the story that you tell yourself about your life, relationship or performance?

Do you hide behind certain beliefs or people?

Are you telling the truth about yourself?

“Yes” you say but what if you’re not and just living a life you feel you should versus the one you want. You want to be a success or maybe you are but certain things still get in your way. Certain thoughts pop up either about yourself or what you think about others.

The story or life you are living you realize isn’t the one you want. You wonder how to shut it down or change it. Your story is the mask you wear that you hide behind and it could be holding you back. The definition of a mask is a covering for all or part of the face, worn as a disguise, or to amuse or terrify other people. Your mask could be created by the words you use, the environment and people you surround yourself with or the way you behave at certain times to impress, feel better or get results or reactions. Maybe it’s driven by ego, fear or others expectations.

If what you are getting in your career, life or sports performance is not what you want, you can change it. When you know things aren’t feeling right and your values and needs aren’t being met it’s time to reflect and figure out if you are hiding behind a mask. It may be negative beliefs, thoughts and behaviors that hold you back and prevent you from achieving what you want.

Ask yourself these questions to determine the masks you may be wearing?

• What labels or words describe yourself?
• Are the labels ones you have given yourself or others have described you as?
• Do these labels light you up or make you cringe?
• Is there an expectation of others that you feel you must be or behave?

If labels motivate you to take action and get results then great. If not maybe it’s time to explore what would.

Does your self-talk boost your confidence or drag you down?  Does your self-talk reflect your goals and desires or does it haunt you? What statements are you telling yourself?
What thoughts are you thinking that you believe?  Who or what are driving those thoughts?

Who you become is based on the thoughts you think, the choices you make, the behaviors you elicit. Combine them all together and that’s your experience. It’s an ongoing cycle and if things go your way the emotions will be uplifting and if not look out. You have 60,000 to 70,000 thoughts per day and 90 % of those thoughts you repeat. So, make sure they support your goals and desires. Realize the cycle is a program you are running and maybe it needs some fine-tuning.

Some of you may have ghosts that haunt you. What I’m referring to are the people in your life and/or the beliefs you hold onto.  Who are your ghosts? Maybe they’re your bosses, parents, spouses, coaches or thoughts that limit you like “I can’t do it” or “I’m not good enough”.  If they have been there for a long time they need to be removed. Figure out what purpose do they serve? Sometimes you hold on to these just out of habit or maybe fear.

Answer these questions if you want to shift your story and release the masks and ghosts:

• What story about your life would you like to be telling?
• What would that sound like? Look like? Feel like?
• When do you want this?

To support your new story write it down and then visualize or imagine something to connect to it. Create a symbol to remind you of it. Maybe it’s a vision board or a picture you can look at daily. Journal about it and imagine or meditate on it daily. When you start to envision it, you move towards it. Also, when the old story or mask pop up recognize it and change it to the new one.

If you want assistance to create a revised story with new beginnings, choices and desired results – sign up for a complimentary session with me and leave with an action plan, feel refreshed and revived!