What if we flipped the script?

Did you know that 80% of our interactions are assumptive? That’s right, most of the time, we’re not just reading the room; we’re writing the whole script. We assign meaning and motivation to other people’s words and actions like we’re bestselling authors of a drama we didn’t even audition for. Spoiler alert: many of us are terrible at it. We unknowingly pen negative stories that chip away at our self-esteem, tank our confidence, and generally make life feel like a low-budget tragedy. We let our own insecurities inspire the plot line.

So, one day, I asked myself: what happens if I flip the script? What if, instead of letting my inner critic run the show, I consciously wrote a positive narrative, one where I’m the hero (cape optional, but highly recommended)? Why not? Why can’t I win in my own story?

Through a little conscious effort, and a lot of reminding myself to quit assuming the worst, I’ve slowly started to flip the script. Now, when someone says, “I like that sweater,” I believe them instead of assuming they’re just being polite. When I hear, “You did a great job on that presentation,” I accept the compliment instead of mentally drafting their “actually, you could’ve done better” footnote. And bonus: flipping the script has me giving more genuine compliments too. I notice the good in others, which somehow makes me feel even better. Go figure.

The result? Life feels lighter. My daily narrative isn’t a soap opera about failure and self-doubt, it’s a story where the hero actually gets some wins. So, if your current storyline is more “tragic indie film” than “feel-good blockbuster,” maybe it’s time to flip the script. After all, you’re the author. You can be the victor in your own story. Why not??