How multiple career stories create confidence

Drop the myth of a single career story

We human beings tend to gravitate towards simplicity. We crave understanding, we yearn for a sense of order, and we get satisfaction from coherent narratives. Stories satisfy these deep needs, providing constructs that bring meaning. We love a good story, one with a well-defined beginning, an engaging middle, and an impacting end.  We often end up projecting this narrative idea onto our own life stories. Since we are kids, our education and social conditioning have taught us to create narratives about ourselves that make ‘sense’ to others, and in our professional lives, this phenomenon seems to amplify exponentially. 

The idea of having a single overarching story to encompass our professional life and experiences seems justifiable, doesn't it? Well, here's the catch. This approach is like trying to compress a library into a single book, with the unreasonable expectation that this book will be a romance, a thriller, an encyclopedia, a scientific manual, and a business brochure, all at once. 

Unfortunately, the trouble with this single ‘super-book’ approach is that it limits the potential versatility of your story. Restrictions will inevitably apply to the kind of character you can create, the audience that can comprehend your narrative, and how enjoyable the reading experience can be.

Your stories essentially serve as the ‘lenses’ through which you interpret the world, perceive yourself, and construct your identity. If these lenses become too narrowly focused, they tend to limit the range of opportunities you perceive around you. Consequently, the options you feel deserving of start to dwindle, resulting in a shorter list of potential future paths. This can hold you back from pursuing and living the life you want.

So what can we do? Don't create a super book, create a library. 

Picture this: You are the main character in several unique stories, each one showcasing a different part of your professional journey. Having multiple career stories means you get to play various roles, all of which highlight the skills and strategies you've learned along the way. 

By having this broad view of the characters we played in different adventures of our professional lives - from the horror tales to the magic adventures to the corporate scandals and drama - we start to have a full picture of who we are and what we can do.

Consider how each unique plot outlines the diverse roles you've assumed in your career. Whether it's overcoming difficult tasks, reveling in unexpected achievements, or navigating through company politics, each story demonstrates your potential and capabilities. 

Accepting these diverse narratives as parts of our greater professional identity can boost your confidence and belief in yourself. It's no easy task to encapsulate all your experiences into one story, but when you piece together multiple authentic narratives, you create a more comprehensive image of who you are professionally. 

We exist in a world of endless interpretations, none of which can entirely define us. Your perception of your stories, how others see them, and how you want the world to view you – these factors continually influence the way you tell your career story. And they are in constant flux.

It's time to move away from the notion of a single career story. Each one of your stories highlights a different part of who you are, providing a multifaceted view of your professional self. No single story can combine your entire career. Embrace the freedom of your narratives, each contributing to a complete, authentic picture of you. 

Ultimately, the variety and depth of your career are up to you. And I'm here to help you uncover those stories and turn them into compelling narratives in my upcoming workshop, 'Storytelling Your Career'. Join me as we discover the richness of your career stories together.

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To guide you through this transformation, I invite you to join me in my workshop, where I will help you master the art of career storytelling, and unlock your potential to adapt, evolve, and thrive.

Reserve your spot at the workshop and start a journey towards a more sustainable, fulfilling, and resilient career.