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Your Stories Are Making You Unhappy

One of the things I've noticed recently is that there are a lot of unhappy parents and teens out there. 

This is something that I've been coaching on regularly for the past several months. 

And, to be honest, this is something that I've been struggling with in my own life recently. 

Then recently I heard my coach say, . . . 

"Unhappiness comes from the gap between where your current life
is (story) and where you think it should be (story). That gap in between is the
'unhappiness gap'.” 

~ Jim Fortin

The truth is, EVERYTHING is a story. 

Be The Hero Of Your Stories

Another thing that causes unhappiness, and one that I am a master at, is positioning yourself as the victim in your story. 

I do this all the time. 

I blame the guy who cut me off, or my wife or business partner for a disagreement. 

The problem is, anytime you blame someone else, you position yourself as the victim in your story. 

If you or your teen are unhappy, check your stories. Are you blaming someone or something outside of your control?

If the answer is "Yes," that's awesome news because YOU have the power to be the hero of your stories. 

Start Developing New Stories

There's a trend in life coaching to really focus on what you are thinking. 

This isn't bad, and I love thought awareness, but I think there's also power in focusing on HOW you are thinking. 

Blaming is a way of thinking. 

Catastrophizing is a way of thinking. 

On the other hand, being accountable or taking responsibility are ways of thinking.  

As you change how you think, you will start practicing new stories. 

You can do this both on the individual level of WHAT you are thinking and on the bigger picture of HOW you are thinking. 

Want to Be Happier? Tell Better Stories. 

There was a time when my business was new, we weren't making much money, and we had to get help from our church to provide food for my family. 

I remember thinking things like:

• I'm a failure. 
• My business isn't working. 
• I should quit. 
• This isn't working. 
• It's the market's fault.

As I did some self coaching, I started replacing my old stories with more helpful stories like:

• This is an opportunity for me to grow from desperation. 
• This will be a good story to help inspire future clients. 
• If I can get through this, I can get through anything. 

Making sense of your past or current trials and struggles is kind of like connecting the dots between where you were and are and where you want to be. 

Making sense of your life is simply choosing the stories that you will tell and the interpretations you will make. 

Merry Christmas!

I want to give YOU a FREE GIFT, my podcast-mini-series to help YOU grow as a parent. 

This mini-series will only be available for a limited time, until Wednesday December 14, 2022. 

This is a gift that will impact not only you, but your whole entire family as well. 

As you grow and develop your parenting skills, things will change in your whole home. 

Ma

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