Are you intentionally creating the future you want, or are you just a passive participator in your own story?

Grab the Companion Self-Reflection Guide & go deeper

In this revelatory episode of The Story I'm Telling Myself, host Rita Ernst sits down with recurring guest and recently retired businessman Gary Spencer to explore the internal narratives that define our most significant life transitions.

Why You Should Listen

If you have ever felt like you are standing in your own way, this conversation provides a roadmap for moving from being "bent by the wind" of change to becoming an active initiator of your journey. Gary and Rita dive deep into how to maintain your character and intention when stepping into a space filled with unknowns.

In this Episode You'll Discover

The Personal SWOT Analysis: Move beyond business audits and learn how to apply Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to your own life. Discover how to identify if you are the "weakest link" or a primary risk factor in your own growth.

Active vs. Passive Transitioning: Whether you are facing retirement, a career shift, or global uncertainty, learn to distinguish between responding to what happens to you versus initiating the life you want.

The "Yearly Word" Practice: Gary shares his transformative tradition of choosing a prophetic word—moving from "Resilience" to "Open"—to project into the future and remove the "planning blockages" obstructing his view.

Harmonizing Head, Heart, and Gut: Understand why your head and heart must resolve their relationship so you can trust the decisions your gut makes.

Jettisoning Life’s Clutter: Explore the metaphors of the "comfortable chair" and the "box of old screws"—the habits and artifacts of yesterday that we must jettison to move forward.

Final Takeaway

"The darkness does not have the power that you think it has." Gary illustrates this with the powerful story of a single match lighting a massive salt mine cavern, reminding listeners that their innate internal light is sufficient to dispel any darkness or uncertainty.

Stop letting the story own you and start owning the story. Listen now to discover how to strike the match of self-awareness and unblock your perspective for the season ahead.

Subscribe to The Story I'm Telling Myself for weekly insights on authentic leadership, mindset shifts, and overcoming self-limiting beliefs.Connect with Gary

Gary's company, which he founded with his sons: www.mngspencer.co.uk

Learn about Gary's leadership work: Caleb.org.uk