This thing called life ... it's a story.
A story we tell ourselves.
And the story we tell ourselves influences our perception of events that 'seem' to happen to us.
Such a large part of the human experience is perception aka story.
That’s the kind of wisdom Seth Godin dropped in my recent conversation with him, and trust me, it’s the kind of insight that sticks with you.
Here are the key takeaways that may just change how you think about strategy, storytelling, and life itself.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Seth said something that stopped me in my tracks: “Depending on which story you want to tell yourself, you will make different choices.”
I realized that for a long time, I was telling myself a story about not being good enough. Not smart enough, not skilled enough, not “ready” enough. And guess what?
That story made me hesitate—over and over again—when opportunities came my way.
But the moment I started telling myself a different story—one about learning, growing, and figuring it out as I go—everything shifted.
Reminds me of what Guy Kawasaki had told me about the importance of having a growth mindset (as opposed to a fixed mindset).
What story are you telling yourself right now?
Is it one that empowers you or one that holds you back?
Why Shortcuts Aren’t Worth It
If you’ve ever felt tempted by the promise of quick success (and who hasn’t?), Seth’s two-word mantra is for you: Shortcuts aren’t.
The real path to growth isn’t glamorous. It’s about showing up every day, even when no one’s watching.
Small Steps, Big Impact
Seth’s idea of focusing on the “smallest viable audience” stuck with me too.
For years, I’ve felt pressure to reach more people, get more followers, grow faster.
But what if that’s the wrong approach? What if the real magic is in serving a few
people so deeply that they can’t help but tell others?
Process Over Outcome
We've always been obsessed with goals. Big, audacious ones that look great on paper. But Seth’s reminder was a wake-up call: “Outcomes are the result of process.”
It’s not about hitting the bestseller list or landing the big client.
It’s about building a practice—something you commit to, day after day, because it matters.
What’s the Story You Want to Create?
This conversation wasn’t just about business or success—it was about the way we choose to show up in the world.
It made me realize something powerful: the story I’m living isn’t set in stone.
We can rewrite the parts that don’t serve us, focus on what truly matters, and embrace the process instead of fixating on the finish line.
What about you? What kind of story do you want to create for yourself?
Here’s the beautiful thing: You don’t need to have all the answers today.
Just start. Pick one thing that aligns with who you want to be.
Take one step.
And trust that as you keep moving forward, the story will begin to write itself in ways you never expected.
Ciao for now,
Ash
PS
Want to hear more? Watch the full conversation with Seth Godin on our YouTube channel—it’s packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
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