Episode 1240 – How the Stories You Tell Yourself Are Shaping Your Business—For Better or Worse
Your Thoughts Create Your Reality
Mike Campion and Suzanne Bandick had a powerful conversation about a business owner’s secret weapon—our own thoughts. They explained that everyone tells themselves stories, whether they realize it or not. Some stories lift us up, while others hold us back. The key is recognizing which stories serve us and which ones don’t. If we believe something is impossible, we act like it is. But if we believe in possibilities, we start seeing opportunities everywhere.
Identifying the Stories We Tell Ourselves
Many people repeat the same negative thoughts without realizing it. “No one wants to work,” “Facebook ads don’t work,” or “I can never find good employees.” These are just stories, but they can become our reality if we let them. Mike suggests paying attention to these thoughts and questioning them. Did one bad hire really mean all employees are bad? If we challenge our stories, we might find they are just “paper castles” that crumble when touched.
Rewrite the Story to Change the Outcome
Once we identify an unhelpful story, we have the power to change it. Instead of saying, “Good employees don’t exist,” we can say, “I attract great team members.” By focusing on what we want, we start noticing more of it. This isn’t just positive thinking—it changes how we act, which changes our results. For example, if we believe our team is amazing, we treat them with more respect and trust, and in turn, they rise to meet that expectation.
Tell the New Story Until It Becomes Reality
To make a new story stick, Mike says to repeat it to yourself and to others. If you keep telling people you have the best employees, you start acting like a leader who attracts top talent. Your team starts believing in themselves, too. Over time, this new belief becomes reality. The same principle applies to customers, pricing, and personal goals.
Small Story Shifts Lead to Big Changes
The conversation ended with a challenge: what story do you need to change today? Maybe it’s a fear of raising prices or a belief that business is always hard. Whatever it is, examine it, challenge it, and rewrite it. The stories we tell ourselves don’t just shape our businesses—they shape our lives. Why not create a story that leads to success?