Every hero has an origin story—a series of pivotal moments that shape who they are and how they navigate the world. Your origin story is no different. It’s the narrative of your life experiences, challenges, and triumphs that have molded your mindsets, values, preferences, communication style, and ways of thinking. The key to leading a meaningful life and creating powerful impact starts with understanding this story. But here’s the catch: while your origin story shapes you, it doesn’t have to define or limit you.
In the W.I.N. Framework, understanding your origin story aligns with WHO you are, the foundational first step. Here’s how tapping into your origin story can help you identify, ignite, and nurture the best version of yourself.
1. Identify Your WHO: Recognize the Influence of Your Origin Story
Your origin story is the lens through which you view the world. It explains why certain values resonate with you, why some environments feel more comfortable than others, and why you communicate and think the way you do.
To start this journey, reflect on these questions:
• What experiences have significantly shaped your values and beliefs?
• How do those experiences show up in your daily decisions, interactions, and leadership style?
• Are there aspects of your origin story that still trigger fear, doubt, or resistance?
Understanding your WHO means embracing your story with both honesty and curiosity. It’s not about labeling your past as “good” or “bad,” but about seeing how it has built the foundation of who you are today.
2. IGNITE the Power Within: Rewrite What’s Holding You Back
Not all parts of your origin story are meant to guide you forever. Some beliefs or mindsets shaped by early experiences can become outdated or even counterproductive.
For example:
• Did an early failure teach you to avoid risks, even when growth requires stepping into discomfort?
• Has past criticism led to a communication style that is overly cautious or indirect?
• Have you internalized beliefs that limit your capacity to lead, innovate, or connect?
IGNITING your strengths means learning from your origin story without being trapped by it. Recognize where the lessons are no longer serving you, and rewrite those parts of your narrative. Instead of saying, “This is who I am because of my past,” shift to, “This is how my past has shaped me, and this is who I choose to become.”
3. NURTURE Yourself and Others: Share Your Story to Build Connection
Once you’ve owned and redefined your origin story, it becomes a tool for connection and growth. Sharing your story authentically—with its highs and lows—creates bridges with others. It helps your team, colleagues, or community see the humanity in you and feel safe sharing their stories in return.
NURTURING yourself through self-compassion and celebrating how far you’ve come is essential. Similarly, when you nurture others by listening to their origin stories, you create environments where trust and collaboration thrive.
Your Origin Story is Your Power—Don’t Let It Be Your Limitation
The beauty of the W.I.N. Framework is that it starts with self-awareness. Identifying your WHO is the first step toward leading a life and career full of purpose and authenticity. Your origin story is not the end of your growth—it’s the beginning.
So, what’s your story? Take a moment to reflect on it. What has shaped your mindsets, values, and preferences? What needs to be embraced, and what needs to be rewritten? When you do this work, you’ll find that the power to W.I.N. with yourself, your work, and the people you lead has been inside you all along.
Call to Action:
I challenge you to take 10 minutes today to write down one key moment in your origin story. Reflect on how it has influenced your leadership, communication, or relationships. Then ask yourself: is it serving me, or is it time to rewrite this chapter? Remember, W.I.N.ning starts with you.
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