Seeing possibilities and taking hold of opportunities aligns closely with a growth mindset, which is the belief that our abilities, intelligence, and personal growth are not fixed but can develop through effort, learning, and resilience. This perspective is also deeply connected to narrative practice, which helps us re-author our life stories in ways that empower us rather than limit us. Let’s look at 5 ways a narrative approach can support us in pivoting away from seeing our life situation as fixed or hopeless and to choose rather to pay attention to possibilities.
Reframing our Dominant Narratives
People often carry limiting beliefs or dominant narratives such as "I'm not good enough," "I never succeed," or "Opportunities are not meant for me."
In narrative practice we would help externalise these beliefs (separating the person from the problem) and explore alternative narratives that emphasise a person’s strengths, resilience, and possibilities.
Expanding our Sense of Agency
A resistant mindset might say: "This is just how I am," or "Things never change for me."
Narrative practice supports seeing oneself as the protagonist of their own story, capable of making choices that lead to growth and transformation.
Identifying Times of Strength & Overcoming Challenges
Narrative practice encourages people to look back at times when they successfully adapted to or overcame difficulties to reinforce the idea that they are already capable of change.
This mirrors a growth mindset, which sees past failures not as proof of inability, but as learning experiences that inform future success.
Encouraging Future-Oriented Possibilities
Narrative practice asks, "What kind of story do you want to be living?" rather than focusing only on the past.
This aligns with a growth mindset, which encourages people to step into new opportunities, embrace challenges, and reimagine their potential. You can download our free template What Kind of Story Do You Want to be Living? to explore a way to reframe of dominant problem story and choose to start focusing on new possibilities for your life story.
Resisting the ‘Fixed Story’ and Opening New Pathways
Someone with a resistant mindset may say, "This is just the way my life is."
A narrative practitioner would encourage expanding the narrative, showing that change is possible, and that we can take action to create a new storyline.
Why is it useful to choose a life brimming with possibilities? Here are some great reasons:
It allows us to see that we are not the problem, but rather the author who can rewrite their relationship to it.
It brings awareness to unconscious scripts that we may have been inherited from family, culture, or past experiences.
It expands possibilities beyond the limiting beliefs and introduces new ways of seeing ourselves.
It shifts focus from the past to a hopeful, future-oriented identity aligned with our values.
It solidifies the shift from passively living an old narrative to actively shaping a new one.
It strengthens our belief in our new identity and prevents relapse into old patterns.
It reduces fear of change and reinforces the idea that agency is always available.
If you’d like to explore your life stories in more detail or begin a journey of reinvention, why not reach out to Made Better Human. We offer a comprehensive program, Made Better Stories which guides you through an approach you can take to unfold new meaning and perspective on your life stories. Or you might like to work with one of our narrative therapists / coaches who can offer one-on-one coaching that will support you as you work through your stories and the re-authoring process. Contact us here.