Creating and Distinguishing Origin Stories: A Surprising Access To Autonomy
Most of us live inside stories we didn’t even know we were telling.
These narratives shape how we see ourselves, the choices we make, and what we believe is possible. Yet most of us don’t stop often enough to ask where those stories came from or whether they’re still the ones we want guiding our lives and our work.
I propose creating and distinguishing your origin stories is critically important for you and for your career/business. It’s how you reclaim power over who you are, what you do, and why it matters.
What is An Origin Story?
First, let’s look at what an origin story actually is.
The common understanding/definition of what an origin story is:
A narrative explaining the beginnings of something or someone, revealing the events, circumstances, and motivations that shaped its or their current state, identity, and purpose.
The problem with the above is it’s the kind of definition that doesn’t give one access to invention and creation.
Different from what an origin story is traditionally understood as, I have invented the following distinction and definition:
A narrative that sources and critically informs the identity, purpose, and avocation of who you now are.
Why Is It Important to Locate, Articulate and Distinguish Your Own Origin Stories?
1st fundamental answer: Because our brains think in narratives, in patterns, in stories. If you haven’t or don’t create yours or articulate yours your brain will have a default story, which will include narratives such as:
“I don’t really have an origin story.”
“I’m not good enough.”
“I’ve got to make my dad proud of me.”
“I’m going to prove them wrong.”
“My business failed because the market wasn’t right.”
“Once my company hits 7 figures, then I’ll have made it.”
And on and on.
2nd fundamental answer: It makes a profound difference to have an origin story that is big enough and inspiring enough to reconcile, align, hold and heal the constant chaos we encounter today.
Distinguishing, articulating, and telling your origin stories for your company, for your profession, and as a leader becomes a divine tailwind.
An origin story can include and begin to heal generational traumas, abuse or neglect. It can reach back to your ancestors. It can extend beyond your death. Your career, profession, and company ought to be giving voice to your origin story.
Your origin stories will include gifts you have developed. They will include moments of triumph and what still needs to get worked out.
When in challenging times, when going through the valley of the shadow of death, being connected to your origin stories gives access to taking the next necessary step, to courage, and to peace.
Without distinguishing and articulating your origin stories, your Calling (dharma, raison d’etre, ikigai, soul’s purpose) can sometimes seem to exist as an orphan.
An Example of An Origin Story
A great quote I came across from Dr. Fernando Flores that powerfully demonstrates someone choosing and creating an empowering origin story (Fernando was imprisoned with most of Chile’s other intellectuals in the Pinochet government overthrow):
"I never blamed Pinochet, or my torturers, or external circumstances... I never told a victim story about my imprisonment. Instead, I told a transformation story - about how prison changed my outlook, about how I saw that communication, truth, and trust are at the heart of power... I made my own assessment of my life, and I began to live it. That was freedom.”
Where You Can Begin
To get started, identify an existing narrative you have about your past that is disempowering. (Note: At first blush, usually our narratives don’t seem like narratives to us - they seem like the truth or what actually happened.)
How can you rewrite that disempowering narrative as an origin story?
I’d love to hear yours! Send it to me by emailing me here.