What stories do you tell about yourself?
Michael Lewis is an author I admire. Never read one of his books that I didn’t feel smarter, more informed, and aware of a different way to think about how the world works.
Here are a few of his books:
On a podcast (The Tim Ferris Show) Lewis was described as one of the happiest people that anyone knew. In a CV lengthy discussion, he said he was known to be happy because he chose it as his identity.
In this interview, he offered this observation. “If you listen to the stories people tell about themselves, there is usually a theme.”
He says some are always the victim. Some are always the hero. Some are the wise ones.
Lewis says we would be wise to consider the stories we tell because they can become our character. He determined his story was going to be how happy he is. He said he has promoted his happiness for so long, no one who knows him asks him how he is feeling because they know his answer. He’s happy. Maybe happier than anyone else they know.
Here’s the lesson:
Whether you know it or not, your words and life tell a story.
Have you chosen a story that you endorse? Is your story one that you want to be your role in the world?
