"Nuestras narrativas moldean nuestras percepciones y realidades"

The core idea here is all about the stories we tell ourselves. These stories, or narratives, play a huge role in how we see the world and our place in it. Think about it—if you constantly tell yourself that you’re unlucky, you’re going to start seeing evidence of your bad luck everywhere. These narratives aren't just neutral. They shape our reality.

Historically, this concept has roots in various fields, from psychology to literature. In the 20th century, for example, a psychologist named Jerome Bruner emphasized how our life stories influence our personal identity. He believed that the way we stitch together our experiences into a coherent story shapes who we are.

Now, let's bring this to life with a practical example. Imagine a high school student, Jane, who has always struggled with math. Her narrative? “I’m just not a math person.” Because of this story, she doesn’t try very hard in math class; she avoids studying and doesn’t ask for help. Her grades suffer, confirming her belief. This becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. But what if Jane changes her narrative to, “Math is tough, but I can get better with practice”? She might start putting in more effort, seeking help, and slowly improving. Her perception of herself and her reality changes because she’s telling herself a new story.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by identifying the narratives you’re telling yourself. Are they negative or limiting? Once you spot these stories, challenge them. Rewrite them in a way that empowers you. If you catch yourself thinking, “I always mess up,” change it to, “I sometimes make mistakes, but I’m learning and getting better.”

Let’s look at a relatable scenario. Imagine you’ve been working at a company for a few years, and you’re eyeing a promotion. Your current narrative might be, “I’ll never get promoted because I’m not leadership material.” You see every little mistake you make as proof of this story. But what if you shift that narrative to, “I have valuable skills and experiences that make me a strong candidate for promotion”? With this new mindset, you’ll be more likely to take on challenging projects, seek feedback, and demonstrate your leadership potential.

Think about it like this: your narratives are the lens through which you see the world. If that lens is dirty or scratched, everything looks distorted. Clean the lens—rewrite your narrative—and you’ll see things more clearly and positively.

In my own life, I used to have a narrative that I wasn’t creative. Growing up, I struggled with art and music, and I told myself that creativity just wasn’t my thing. This narrative led me to avoid creative pursuits altogether. But a few years ago, I decided to challenge that story. I started writing, trying my hand at photography, and slowly, I began to see that creativity isn’t just about art and music. It’s about how you approach problems, how you think. Changing my narrative opened up new passions and opportunities for me.

So, take a moment to reflect on your narratives. Challenge them. Rewrite them. Remember, the stories we tell ourselves have immense power. Shape those stories wisely, and they’ll, in turn, shape a better reality for you.