Social Entrepreneur: Conscious Companies | Benefit Corporations | Impact Investing

How Our Inspirational Story Can Keep Us Stuck What happens when our inspirational story keeps us from transformational change? We all have a story. Sometimes those stories hold us back. “I’m not good at math.” “Women aren’t supposed to behave like that.” “It’s too late for me.” Stories can also inspire. They drive our life forward with their narrative. “I’m creating something epic.” “I’m going to help a billion people.” “I overcame adversity to make an impact in the world.” But is it possible that an inspirational story can only take us so far, and, in fact, can become a burden that keeps us from reaching the next level. Maria Rodriguez had a story that she had to overcome. Maria grew up in Guatemala City. Her family owned a coffee plantation. She was a 20-year old, rebellious student. She was a woman in Guatemala. And she was studying the hospitality industry. Her story was on a particular trajectory. While she was at university, a guest lecturer came to speak. In typical fashion, Maria was not listening.