2009 was one of the most challenging years of my life.

I got laid off from my investment banking job in January and struggled to find work.

I had 65 interviews during a four month stretch. I got rejected by everyone.

Despite it being the worst economic environment since the great depression, I let doubt and self-limiting stories creep in.

“I got laid off because I’m not smart.”
“I don’t think I have what it takes.”
“I’m just not good enough”

I eventually found a job. I was hired as an inventory analyst, responsible for allocating baby clothes to retail stores. Despite being color blind and clueless when it comes to fashion (both true), I was thrilled to be wanted. I had a job!

Eventually the markets rebounded. Investment banks started hiring. I interviewed for five roles, but they all fell through. The same stories came back. “You’re not smart enough. You’re not good enough.”

I stopped looking for jobs. My wife and I moved into a smaller, cheaper apartment. I embraced our new reality. I looked for hobbies to distract myself.

One day, a recruiter called me. I’d interviewed at his firm a month earlier and didn’t get the job. But the person they hired never showed up. They were bringing in four candidates for a final round. He wanted me to interview.

I told him I’d think about it, but I planned to say no. I couldn’t do it. My confidence was shot. I had moved on. I was done with banking. I had embraced my new path. Or so I told myself.

The next day I was walking to work when I was struck by an overwhelming feeling. To this day I can tell you exactly where I was standing. It was powerful: “Nathan, you HAVE to do this. You have to face your fears. You can’t embrace mediocrity.”

I knew if I got the job I’d be working 80+ hour weeks. I knew if I got the job I might not succeed. I knew that if I interviewed but DIDN’T get the job, my confidence would take an even bigger hit. The only easy option was to not interview. That was my initial thought. But I had to go for it. I just had to.

I interviewed. I got the job. It was really hard. But it was exactly what I needed.

For years I’d been telling myself crappy stories. These stories—which were mostly false—shaped my identity. They drove my beliefs about who I was and what I could do.

Interviewing for that job was the first step in telling a new story. Eventually, I compiled enough evidence to convince myself that my old story was garbage. A new story was emerging.

Stories are powerful. Stories shape who you become. But know that YOU ultimately choose your story. And that story determines how far you’ll go.

If your story sucks, you can tell a new one. You owe it to yourself. It won’t be easy, but nothing meaningful ever is.