The Stories We Tell Ourselves – How Your Mindset Shapes Your Reality

Written By Salvatore Iacona

Welcome back, fellow traveler!

Have you ever stopped to listen to the stories you tell yourself? Not the ones you share with others, but the ones that play on repeat in your mind—the ones that shape how you see yourself and the world.

  • "I’m not good at this."

  • "Things never work out for me."

  • "I’ll always be this way."

These are not just thoughts; they are beliefs, and beliefs create reality. If you keep telling yourself the same limiting story, you will keep living within its limits. But here’s the good news: You can change the narrative.

The Power of Your Inner Story

Our minds are like record players, playing the same old tracks over and over again. But what if the record is scratched, playing a tune that holds you back instead of pushing you forward?

Think about it:

  • A person who believes they are unlucky never takes risks—so they never discover new opportunities.

  • Someone who thinks they’re bad at socializing avoids people—so they never develop their confidence.

  • A person who believes they "just don’t have what it takes" never tries—so they never realize what they are truly capable of.

Your mindset creates your actions. Your actions create your life.

How to Rewrite Your Story

1. Identify Your Limiting Beliefs

The first step is awareness. Pay attention to the thoughts you have when you’re faced with a challenge. What do you tell yourself? If the voice in your head is negative, ask yourself:

  • Where did this belief come from?

  • Is it even true, or is it just a story I’ve been repeating?

  • What if the opposite were true?

Most limiting beliefs are not facts—they are just old, unchallenged thoughts.

2. Flip the Script

Instead of saying: "I’m not good at this," try:

  • "I’m still learning, and every step makes me better."

Instead of: "I always fail," try:

  • "Every mistake is making me stronger and wiser."

Your mind listens to what you repeatedly say. Choose words that empower you.

3. Take Action to Prove Your New Story

It’s not enough to just change your thoughts—you have to back them up with action.

  • If you want to believe you are confident, act confidently—even when you don’t feel like it.

  • If you want to believe you are disciplined, start small habits that prove it.

  • If you want to believe you are capable, try something that challenges you.

The more you act in alignment with your new belief, the more your mind will accept it as truth.

4. Surround Yourself with the Right Voices

Your environment plays a huge role in your mindset. If you are surrounded by negativity, doubt, and small thinking, it will reinforce the old story. But if you surround yourself with people who challenge themselves, believe in growth, and push beyond their limits, it will inspire you to do the same.

5. Keep Rewriting Until It Becomes Your Truth

Changing your mindset is not a one-time event—it’s a daily practice. You are the author of your own life, and every day, you have a chance to edit the story. The question is: Will you keep repeating the same old script, or will you write something new?

The Choice is Yours

The stories we tell ourselves shape our reality. You can keep living the same story, or you can choose to create a new one—one where you are capable, strong, and unstoppable.

So, what’s the first sentence of your new story? Write it down, say it out loud, and start living it today.

Your journey begins NOW.