We all have our stories—who we are and who we are capable of becoming. But the truth is, they’re just that—stories. Who we are, is a divine spark of consciousness with the capability of becoming whomever we can dream ourselves becoming.

But if you can’t dream it you can’t become it. And your internal “story” oftentimes keeps you from becoming all you could be and creating all you could create.

An artist (I will call. her “Amy”) recently wrote me about the panic that is rising in her as she becomes successful.

Panic? Because of success?

That’s right. Why? Because her internal story doesn’t match her external circumstance.

Internally she still identifies with the struggling artist story. She still sees herself as the mother of six, striving to get ahead. In fact, she was surprised that she had been as successful as she had—and didn’t even realize she was so successful until she sat down and added up her income over the past two years.

So even though this artist shifted enough to create change in her world, she was a smart enough conscious creator to notice the fear creeping in at the same time.

We are complex beings. We don’t bring all aspects of who we are onboard at the same time. Creating a new you and a new life is a process.

And what you deem your “story” can make or break your success.

So here’s the technique, to change your story—so that you can change your life. I am including sample answers that my artist friend might write.

Note: You have stories for your overall life and for each area of your life as well. I suggest you complete this exercise for the area(s) you are currently working on improving.

Step one – answer these questions:

Who am I (in this area)? (One sentence)

Amy’s answer in the “area” of her career: I am an artist with a gift to share with the world.

What is my dream (in this area)? (One sentence)

Amy’s answer: I intend for my art to create abundance in all areas of my life including financially.

Where am I in the process of creating my dream? (A paragraph or two)

Amy’s answer: I have created a body of work that is growing in favor but still isn’t commanding top dollar and I’m not yet well known. I am a country artist mother of six and still struggling some financially. I have had NO training in business or marketing.

Even though things are going well, I haven’t attracted the attention I had hoped and am not yet charging what I want to be charging for my work. I work hard but oftentimes feel overwhelmed with all there is to do and the slow progress.

How do you feel about yourself and your dream? (One sentence)

Amy’s answer: I feel excited on one hand, but afraid on the other. What if I can’t pull this off? Am I really capable of creating my career to be as big as I can imagine?

What am I afraid of if I get my dream?

Amy’s answer: I am afraid that I can’t handle the responsibility of success and money. I’m afraid that I’ll create the success but won’t be able to maintain it and it will all fall apart.

What is the title of your story?

Amy’s answer: Almost There

Take a moment and write your answers.

Step two – Put it all together:

Amy’s answer: Almost There

I am an artist with a gift to share with the world.

I intend for my art to create flowing abundance in all areas of my life including financially.

I have created a body of work that is growing in favor but still isn’t commanding top dollar and I’m not yet well known. I am a country artist mother of six and still struggling some financially. I have had NO training in business or marketing.

Even though things are going well, I haven’t attracted the attention I had hoped and am not yet charging what I want for my work. I work hard but oftentimes feel overwhelmed with all there is to do and the slow progress.

I feel excited on one hand, but afraid on the other. What if I can’t pull this off? Am I really capable of creating it as big as I can imagine?

[I probably won’t get my dream because] I am afraid that I can’t handle the responsibility of money. I’ll create it and then lose it.  Or that I’ll create the success but won’t be able to maintain it and it will all fall apart.

That is my friend’s current story. Write yours. And then …

Step three – re-write your answers:

Amy’s answers:

Who am I (in this area)? (One sentence)

I am an artist with a gift to share with the world.

What is my dream (in this area)? (One sentence)

I intend for my art to create flowing abundance in all areas of my life including financially.

Where am I in the process of creating my dream? (BUT focus only on the positive and write it as if you’ve achieved the next step of your dream as well.)

I have created a body of work that is loved by many and fabulously successful. It is attracting more attention every single day. I work magically and I attract the support and resources I need when I need them and I am achieving far more success than I’ve ever dreamed possible.

I am gradually raising my prices and people are more than happy to pay it. I receive surprise press and accolades and I feel I have “arrived” as a well-known and highly regarded artist.

I am absolutely sure the perfect path is unfolding before me, and my unseen friends have this handled. I trust them. My only job is to be as present as I can and create the very best art I am capable of. Everything is unfolding in perfect timing.

How do you feel? (one sentence)

I feel at peace, powerful and excited.

How will my fears be assuaged when my dream manifests fully?

I know I will handle the responsibility of money with grace, elegance and ease. My unseen friends support me in this, and I can and do change any and all beliefs that stand in the way.

I remember that I create not only the success, but also the results of that success—how it manifests, how I choose to deal with it, and allowing it to affect me and those I love in only positive and fun ways.

I know that I create it all—and I have no need to worry about losing anything because even if I did I could simply create it all again.

I know that no matter how great my success becomes, I will remain at peace, powerful and in charge of my own destiny.

What is the title of your story?

A Master Artist and Creator

Your turn!

And then …

Step four – Now combine your answers for your new story:

A Master Artist and Creator

I am an artist with a gift to share with the world.

I intend for my art to create flowing abundance in all areas of my life including financially.

I have created a body of work that is loved by many and fabulously successful. It is attracting more attention every single day. I work magically and I attract the support and resources I need when I need them so I achieve far more success than I’ve ever dreamed possible.

I am gradually raising my prices and people are more than happy to pay it. I receive surprise press and accolades and I feel I have “arrived” as a well-known and highly regarded artist.

I am absolutely sure the perfect path is unfolding before me, and my unseen friends have this handled. I trust them. My only job is to be as present as I can and create the very best art I am capable of. Everything is unfolding in perfect timing.

I feel at peace, powerful and excited.

I know I will handle the responsibility of money with grace, elegance and ease. My unseen friends support me in this, and I can and do change any and all beliefs that stand in the way.

I remember that I create not only the success, but also the results of that success—how it manifests, how I choose to deal with it, and allowing it to affect me and those I love in only positive and fun ways.

I know that I create it all—and I have no need to worry about losing anything because even if I did I could simply create it all again.

I know that no matter how great my success becomes, I will remain at peace, powerful and in charge of my own destiny.

You know what to do …

Step five – Keep your (new) story top of mind.

Your new story remains your story only as long as you keep it your story. You can decide to go back to your old story if you like.

But if you want to keep your new story as your reality (and it shall soon become so) you need to revisit it often:

Read it morning and night.
Remember it throughout the day.
Say the title to your story over and over, and feel yourself becoming more and more connected to it.
Live your story.
Imagine yourself as this new person.

Step six – Re-write your story often.

Your new story should feel great! When your success increases, you’re going to have to change and stretch your dream and your story. This will be fun—enjoy it!

Step seven – Change any beliefs that keep you from owning your new story.

This step comes last but it is important. If anything in your story doesn’t feel possible or likely, or good to you, you have a belief (or more) than needs to be changed.

In the example of the artist, some of the beliefs she might hold include:

I can’t handle the responsibility of money.

If I create lots of money I’ll lose it all.

If I create the success I won’t be able to maintain the success.

I don’t have the knowledge or skill it takes to create a super successful business.

I am not good enough to create the success I desire.

But she can change these beliefs, and thus, the reality. The new beliefs might be:

I can handle the responsibility of money.

If I create lots of money I’ll expand it all.

If I create the success I will be able to maintain the success.

I will attract the knowledge or skill it takes to create a super successful business.

I am good enough to create the success I desire.

Beliefs are not reality. They are a product of your past experiences and stored in your subconscious mind. And they can be changed. If you are serious about this work, you must take beliefs seriously.

Bonus step – Make it fun.

How about a “Story Changing Party” with some of your close friends (via zoom?)? Or how about one with your unseen friends? Light some candles, play some soft music, and bid your old story (not to mention your old reality) goodbye.

Now, be off—and re-write history (or herstory, as the case may be).

Love,

P.S. Let me know what part of your story you are going to change in the comments below. I’m so excited for you!!