When It’s Time to Rewrite Your Story in Coaching and Life
There is a funny thing about the stories we tell ourselves. We love them. We need them. Sometimes, without realizing it, we get trapped inside them.
Stories shape our identity as athletes, coaches, and parents. They drive motivation, create culture, and influence how we approach challenges. But sometimes the story we tell no longer fits. And knowing when to rewrite your story can be one of the most important skills in coaching and life.
Why Rewriting Your Story Matters in Coaching and Life
For coaches, athletes, and parents, stories give us comfort. They give us a script to follow and a way to understand ourselves and others. Entire team cultures are built on them.
But what happens when the story that served you so well stops working? That is when it is time to pause and ask if rewriting your story might open the door to new growth.
Letting Go of Old Coaching Narratives
I remember a season where I clung to the story of being the hardest working coach in the room. The first in. The last out. The grinder. But life changed. My energy shifted. And yet I still chased that old identity until burnout hit. I talked about this in my Mental Cast episode I Wasn’t Prepared and it was a real moment of reflection.
Athletes do this too. They cling to being the underdog or the hardest worker long after they have outgrown that role. Parents can unintentionally do the same with the narratives they hold about their kids.
Rewriting Your Story Builds Mental Flexibility
Rewriting your story takes courage. It is easier to stick with what is familiar. But true mental flexibility in sports and life means recognizing when a new chapter is needed.
I see this with coaches stepping into new programs. They either continue old scripts or choose to create new, empowering stories for their teams. That is where growth happens.
If this resonates, you might also enjoy my past blog on I Am Not Gary Vee where I explored the dangers of chasing someone else’s narrative instead of writing your own.
The Power of Stories That Evolve
The stories we tell must evolve with us. If your story feels heavy or limiting, that is a sign it is time to rewrite.
Not erase. Not regret. Just turn the page. Start a new chapter that reflects where you and your athletes are today.
You get to be the author. And that is where real growth begins.
Until next time, here is to stories that grow with us. See you on the next page.
