What story are you telling yourself?
Whether it’s “My clients won’t pay that much,” “I’m not ready,” or “That won’t work for me,” the stories we repeat often become the biggest obstacle to building the business we want.
In this episode, I sit down with IDBA’s Head Mindset Coach, Valerie Priester, to unpack how these internal stories are created and why they can feel so real, even when they’re based on fear rather than facts.
We discuss how a single past experience can become a deeply rooted belief, influencing future decisions and causing designers to hesitate, procrastinate, or avoid opportunities altogether. The more we repeat these thoughts, the more our brains accept them as truth.
One of the biggest takeaways is that confidence doesn’t come from overthinking; it comes from taking action. Rather than preparing for imagined scenarios, we explore how staying present, focusing on the outcome you want, and trusting your expertise leads to better conversations and better business decisions.
We also talk about the common stories designers tell themselves about pricing, clients, and change, and why many of these beliefs are simply assumptions that have never been tested.
Ultimately, your stories don’t have to define your future. Once you become aware of them, you can choose a different narrative, one that supports confidence, growth, and the business you’ve been working so hard to build.
Topics We Cover in This Episode:
- Understanding the stories we tell ourselves
- Why repeated thoughts become beliefs
- How fear creates self-sabotage
- Recognizing “what if” thinking
- Taking action instead of overthinking
- Why confidence grows through experience
- Common mindset stories designers believe
- Staying present in client conversations
- Creating a win-win mindset
- Building awareness to create lasting change
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
- Book a Clarity Call
- Learn about the Growth & Structure programs
- IDBA Mindset Coaching
Additional Resources:
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