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✨ How to Stop Letting One Scene Define Your Story (And 6 Mindset Shifts to Reclaim Purpose and Perspective)
You’re Not Behind - You’re Still Becoming
This week’s issue is about seeing beyond the moment that broke you, and learning how to turn pain into perspective - and perspective into power.
What’s Inside This Issue:
A moment from Sarah Jakes Roberts that reframes shame and regret
6 mindset shifts when you're stuck in a “bad chapter”
A short action plan to reclaim your narrative
Picks of the Week (Book, Podcast, Quote)
Weekly Poll: What’s one moment you’ve had to reframe?
🎬 You Are Not the Moment That Broke You
I’ve been thinking a lot about how we replay certain moments from our lives like movie scenes - ones we wish we could rewrite, pause, or fast-forward through.
The other day, I heard Sarah Jakes Roberts say something that reframed all of that for me - and what she said hasn’t left me since.
She talked about becoming a mom at 14, growing up with shame, and spending nearly a decade believing her worst moment had disqualified her from a meaningful future.
Then she said this:
“We judge our lives by a single scene, instead of watching the whole movie.”
It stopped me.
Because we do this all the time - don’t we?
We get stuck in one job rejection, one failed launch, one presentation we bombed, one moment we froze, one decision we wish we could take back…
And we let that moment define everything.
But what if that wasn’t the whole story?
What if that scene wasn’t the ending… but the turning point?
🧠 6 Mindset Shifts to Reclaim Your Story
1. Zoom Out - This Is Just One Chapter
That moment you keep replaying? It’s just one scene.
Ask:
What came before it?
What came after?
What have I learned from it?
When you zoom out, you realize the moment didn’t destroy you - it developed you.
2. Reframe the Inner Narrative
Watch how you talk to yourself.
Change “I am broken” to “I was in a breaking season that built me.”
Here’s a simple script-flip:
“I’m failing” → “I’m learning how to handle something I’ve never faced before.”
“I’m behind” → “I’m building something solid, not rushed.”
The narrative you repeat becomes the identity you live. Choose one that empowers.
3. Reframe Setbacks as Strategic Turns
This isn’t just mindset fluff. It’s strategy.
“Every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being redirected to something better.” - Steve Maraboli
Real examples:
That position you didn’t land? It kept you open for one that aligned with your values.
That client who said no? It freed you up to work with one who pays more and respects your time.
That business idea that flopped? It taught you exactly what not to do next time.
Setbacks often make sense in reverse. Zoom out and look for the pattern.
4. Let Your Story Be a Bridge, Not a Burden
Sarah said it beautifully:
“Maybe I can’t be a spotlight for everyone - but I can be a flicker for someone.”
Your most vulnerable moment might be the most useful part of your story.
You don’t have to be a polished success story to make an impact.
You just have to be real.
5. Open the Cabinet - Use Every Ingredient
Sarah shared a metaphor:
“You’ve got to open the cabinet and use everything you’ve got.”
That “messy stuff” you’ve been hiding - your quirks, setbacks, struggles - those are the ingredients for something powerful.
You don’t need a perfect pantry.
You just need to start cooking with what’s already there.
6. Remember - You’re Still Becoming
You haven’t peaked.
You’re not too late.
You’re still unfolding.
What if this scene - the one you hate - is the one that ultimately shows your growth?
Stay open. Stay curious. Your purpose isn’t in the past. It’s in the becoming.
🚀 Mini Action Plan: Reclaim the Narrative
✍️ Journal Prompt:
What’s a moment I keep letting define me?
How would my story read differently if I zoomed out?
What lesson or clarity came out of that experience?
💡 Reframe It:
Write a new version of your story from a place of growth, not guilt.
🧭 Write a new line for your next chapter:
“This season is about ________.”
Example: “This season is about realignment.”
📚 Picks of the Week
📘 Book: The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest - on self-sabotage, shadow work, and becoming
🎧 Podcast: The Mel Robbins Podcast - episode with Sarah Jakes Roberts
💬 Quote:
“Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light.” - Madeleine L’Engle
📊 Weekly Poll:
👉 Vote here and see what your fellow readers say next week!
💬 Final Word
You are not the worst thing that’s happened to you.
You are the person who is still standing - still choosing to grow.
And that means your story isn’t over.
Let this be the moment you zoom out, take back your narrative, and write the next scene yourself.
But if you’re ready to turn the page, don’t wait for clarity to strike. Create it.
If part of your next chapter includes being seen, heard, and valued for what you bring,
then LinkedIn is more than a platform. It’s a tool to build the credibility and opportunities you’ve been working for.
📘 The LinkedIn Visibility Playbook breaks down 5 practical strategies to help you:
→ Show up with clarity
→ Build trust through consistency
→ Get noticed by the people who matter
Download it here - and start building a presence that matches your potential:
👉 Download your free copy and start where you are:
✨ What’s one past moment that ended up leading you somewhere better?
Reply and tell me - I’d love to hear your story.
Hit reply and share with me. Whether it’s a full story or just a sentence.
Also, if there’s a topic or challenge you want covered in a future issue, I’m all ears. This newsletter is here to serve you - wherever you are on your journey.
📩 Share the Lift: Know someone who’s stuck in their own hard chapter? Share this newsletter with them. This story might be the flicker they need.
Let’s keep lifting each other up, one intentional step at a time.🌟
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See you next week! 🚀
Founder, Linked And Lift