New Year, New Perspectives: Redefining Your Narrative

Welcome to my Futurewise newsletter, where we will discuss the intersections of people, technology, and everything in between. You can learn more about me and what I do here.

As we step into the new year, it’s a perfect time to reflect on how we view our professional journeys. What if you listened to the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood from the wolf? An article notes that this tale is quite different from the wolf’s perspective, “The Wolf Was Framed!” Little Red Was No Victim. According to this article, the wolf was well-intentioned and even protective; Little Red Riding Hood was naughty and spoiled. This is a classic example of how stories can change depending on perspective.

The same principle applies to our professional lives. The challenges, failures, success we face in business are perceived differently depending on how we tell our personal stories. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly rewriting our personel narratives. How we shape those narratives has a significant impact on our performance, motivation, and overall satisfaction in life and work.

Take, for example, the obstacles we encounter at work. What one person sees as a failure, another may view as an opportunity for growth. As Lori Gotlieb puts it in her Ted Talk, “Changing your story can change your life.” If it does not serve you, you should detach from the story you've been telling yourself, become your own editor and rewrite your narrative from a different point of view.

When facing challenges, do you perceive yourself as a victim , or as a hero finding solutions? When you make a mistake, do you see it as a permanent flaw, or as a lesson to help you avoid similar pitfalls in the future?

As we step into a new year, consider this: your challenges and achievements are just chapters in a much larger narrative. The way you frame these events is crucial to your professional development. So, ask yourself: How will you rewrite your journey in the new year? What changes in perspective will help you evolve and achieve even greater success?

The views expressed in this newsletter are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer, company, or colleagues.