The Power of Story: Rewrite Your Destiny in Business and in Life
The Power of Story: Rewrite Your Destiny in Business and in Life
In his groundbreaking new book, Dr. Jim Loehr, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Power of Full Engagement, examines the way we tell stories about ourselves to ourselves — and, most important, the way we can change those stories to transform our business and personal lives.
“Your story is your life,” says Loehr. As human beings, we continually tell ourselves stories — of success or failure; of power or victimhood; stories that endure for an hour, or a day, or an entire lifetime. We have stories about our work, our families and relationships, our health; about what we want and what we’re capable of achieving. Yet, while our stories profoundly affect how others see us and we see ourselves, too few of us even recognize that we’re telling stories, or what they are, or that we can change them — and, in turn, transform our very destinies.
Telling ourselves stories provides structure and direction as we navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and helps us interpret our goals and skills. Stories make sense of chaos; they organize our many divergent experiences into a coherent thread; they shape our entire reality. And far too many of our stories, says Loehr, are dysfunctional, in need of serious editing. First, he asks you to answer the question, “In which areas of my life is it clear that I cannot achieve my goals with the story I’ve got?” He then shows you how to create new, reality-based stories that inspire you to action, and take you where you want to go both in your work and personal life.
For decades, at the Human Performance Institute, Loehr has been examining the power of story to increase engagement and productivity, and Fortune 500 companies have paid millions to send employees to his program, in which he applies the principles and methods that he now offers in this book. Global business leaders, world-class athletes, military special forces, and thousands of individuals from every walk of life have sought out and benefited from his life-altering insight and expertise.
Our capacity to tell stories is one of our profoundest gifts. Loehr’s approach to creating deeply engaging stories will give you the tools to wield the power of storytelling and forever change your business and personal life.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars One of the ten all-time best books ever written
If you have a social problem, whether personally or in connection with someone else, then I would like to strongly recommend that you (both) learn and apply the messages contained in this book.
I am currently putting together a non-profit organization whose goal is to stop to revolving door our prisons seem to have. Dealing with these offenders is, to say the least, challenging. However, since reading this book (not less than three times), I can say with an absolute certainty that the results of our initial screening process has measurably enhanced our potential for successfully redirecting our clients into a law-abiding lifestyle.
We received special permission from both of the wardens we are working with to separate our candidates by reassigning their cell assignments such that they are now housed together. The reports concerning their behavior are nothing short of astonishing. Each client has begun to display completely new characteristics which have been described as praiseworthy.
As you might have guessed, the only difference is the one empowered by giving these individuals the benefit of a new story about themselves. If these techniques can accomplish these results with “hardened criminals” I feel bold enough to proclaim that this stuff really, really works.
In other words, BUY THIS BOOK.
5 Stars What Label Would You Give the Story of Your Life - Tragedy, Comedy, Romance, Thriller or Drama?
Best selling author (The Power of Full Engagement), Jim Loehr, followed his passion, and combined his love of psychology and sports to create a specialized business helping elite athletes achieve optimum performance by changing their story. His initial high-profile clients included Monica Seles, Jim Courier, Mark O’Meara, Grant Hill, among many others. In changing their stories, he redefined how they ate, practiced, rested, recovered and, most importantly perceived themselves. Since then, his clientele has expanded to include the Navy SEALS, Army Special Forces, the FBI elite anti-terrorist force, and high profile businesses and executives.
“The Power of Story” outlines the principles he followed and has applied to achieve “success.” His own story was one where he felt he needed to focus his energy on his career to achieve maximum success. He then came to realize in the process of gaining professional success that he was about to lose something far more valuable - his family.
Loehr came to understand the key to almost all of our problems, faulty storytelling of the most important story we will ever tell - the story we tell ourselves about ourselves. This story drives the way we gather and spend our energy.
He provides this example:
“Losing a wallet or being in a car accident is factually what happened but the meaning or significance you give to either of these two events - `I am a careless person’ or `bad things happen to me’ becomes the reality you create… these form the only reality you will ever know in this life.” These stories which we tell ourselves may or may not conform to the real world. “They may or may not inspire us to take hope-filled action to better our lives. They may or may not take us ultimately where we want to go.” But they will influence as our destiny “follows our stories.”
“The Power of Story” centers on the imperative that we must do everything in our power to get our stories right for personal happiness. The book provides the tools and exercises to identify and rewrite our story, and delivers insights on performance psychology, exercise physiology, and nutrition based on hard data.
Do you know what stories are speaking to you?
Are they good or bad? If yours is bad story, you will continue to give energy to a bad story, and you will almost assuredly beget another bad one, or ten. This diet of faulting thinking will ultimately have long-term negative consequences.
“The Power of Story” will help you seriously edit your story, and create the success and meaning you truly want.
5 Stars The power of your story
What story are you writing in your head right now? You have to power to control if that story is real or just another part of your imagination. This book helps reveal how to write your “story” so that it actually happens. When you decide to read this book you will discover how to effectively convince yourself to move forward. Overall an easy great read.
Practice telling your story out loud with vivid detail.
4 Stars the power of story
great read with a lot of practical info and help in organizing one’s business and life. shows the importance of exercise and nutirtion in attaining one’s daily and longer term goals.
5 Stars A Must Read. Highly Recommended.
As I get older I have found a greater respect for the power of words and story telling.
This book helps you understand your story and yourself and the opportunity to put your life in perspective. This is a book for becoming or transformation as an essential guidebook for your life. It helps you build a foundation for life, understanding and happiness.
Changing where we are is a difficult task. This book can help. I am often reminded of the Buddhist Proverb, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” We are often way too busy to stop and understand it is time for that teacher now.
Ever find a book that you would want to buy multiple copies to share with your family and friends? This is one of those books.
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