June Field Notes - What's Your Story?

Mike Smith | OSI Executive Director

The renowned performance psychologist, Dr. Jim Loehr, says that the most important story we will ever tell is the story we tell ourselves about our own lives. He calls it our “private voice”, the inner narrator, the voice that turns our perception into our reality.

Over the years I have seen how that private voice and one’s personal story acts as one of the biggest barriers to participation in outdoor sports. I’m not discounting the significance of other barriers we talk about so often such as gear, transportation, or instruction. But our personal story can be a much more insidious barrier. When the equipment is available, the trailhead is close by, and the opportunity is presented, the private voice can still be whispering…

“I’m not good enough.”

“I could never learn this.”

“People like me can’t do this”

“I’m too old / young / short / tall / fat / skinny / weak / scared / busy.”

“Maybe next week.”

I believe one of the most powerful ways to change story is through community. Our community reflects our culture, and if that culture supports trying, failing, exploring, and challenging ourselves, private voices are more likely to take notice. Community is also where we build close relationships and find mentors that can help guide us. And so far I haven’t come across anything that’s more likely to sustain a person’s journey in the outdoors more effectively than friends and mentors.

This is one of the reasons at OSI we’ve always seen community as a critical part of the outdoors, and it’s why we recently launched an internship this summer for aspiring leaders to explore the intersection of personal growth, outdoor leadership, and community development.

As their experiences here in the communities of Maine’s Katahdin Region unfold, we’ll ask them to share some of their own stories. In the meantime if the power of story interests you, check out Jim Loehr’s introduction to the topic here.

If you're reading this you're likely to be the kind of person with a personal story that supports you getting outdoors and getting active. As you enjoy the fleeting summer months and the opportunities they provide, I hope you're able to appreciate the value of that story. Perhaps this is the season in which you're able to positively influence someone else's private voice, and as Jim Loehr suggests, help them find the meaning in their own story that will draw them outside.