What's a Better Story

2-Minute Read

Our lives are ultimately a collection of experiences and memories. Every choice we make shapes the stories we'll one day tell about ourselves.

When we find ourselves facing difficult decisions—whether to push forward or step back, to persist or to quit—asking the question “What’s a better story?” provides clarity. It reminds us that each decision we make contributes to the narrative of our lives, impacting who we become and how we see ourselves.

Life as a Collection of Stories

Our lives aren’t defined by outcomes or accomplishments. Instead, they’re enriched by meaningful experiences and vivid memories. If there is overlap between accomplishments and unforgettable experiences, then all the better. The stories we create become our identity, and these stories shape how we perceive ourselves.

Each difficult moment, each choice to keep going or to stop, is an opportunity to choose the story we’ll one day look back on. Thinking in this way shifts our focus away from momentary discomfort and towards a broader vision of the life we want to lead.

Courage vs. Comfort

When faced with the choice between quitting or continuing, the decision often boils down to two options:

• Comfort: Quitting usually provides immediate relief. It feels safer, easier, and more comfortable in the short term... because it is. But comfort rarely produces memories we cherish or stories we’re proud to tell.

• Courage: Choosing to push forward, even in difficulty, is uncomfortable in the short term. It challenges us physically, mentally, and emotionally. But it's exactly this discomfort that makes the story worth telling later. Courage creates meaningful memories and develops strength of character.

Years from now, the discomfort of a tough run, the frustration of slow progress, or even the embarrassment of a failure won't matter. What matters is that you chose courage—that you didn't quit, that you kept going when it mattered most.

Small Decisions Become Big Stories

It might seem that only big decisions matter, but in reality, our life stories are shaped most significantly by small, consistent choices. Every moment we decide to keep running when tired, to stay disciplined when motivation fades, or to choose discomfort over comfort, we’re building the narrative of our lives.

Over time, these seemingly minor decisions compound into something meaningful. They become our legacy—the story of who we are and who we've become.

Wrap It Up

Life is short, and the stories we create define our experience of it. The next time you face a challenge, instead of asking yourself what's easiest, safest, or most comfortable, ask yourself:

"What's a better story?"

And with this mindset, we can build a routine we love and train consistently. Because with consistency, we build passion.