Once upon a time…
No, that would be far too obvious!
However, I am going to talk about the power of stories – because storytelling has been a constant thread through every chapter of my career. From television to confidence-building, and from the public stories we tell others to the private stories we only tell ourselves.
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Why stories matter (and always have)
In my former career as a BBC TV producer, I spent decades creating content for children. It was a privilege to help open children’s eyes to the world and encourage them to understand their role within it. And, if you want to hold the attention of a target audience full of under-10s, you quickly learn this: facts don’t stick, but stories do.
– Pre-teens’ brains are expanding, developing and learning – and compelling stories become the emotional glue that holds their understanding together.
– A strong story doesn’t just deliver information – it lodges deep in our memory. It engages all the senses. It opens the mind and lights a spark.
And it turns out, that doesn’t stop when we grow up.
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The stories we tell ourselves
One of the first things I often do with clients at Silverbrook Hypnotherapy is ask them:
What story are you telling yourself right now?
Because we all have them, playing on a constant loop in the background.
I hear a lot of hidden narratives like:
– “I’m not good enough.”
– “It’s too late for me to change.”
– “Other people are just naturally confident. I’m not.”
These stories might not be written in ink or told out loud, but they are deeply ingrained. They’re often subconscious, built from years of beliefs, assumptions, and second-hand fears. And just like those familiar bedtime tales, we repeat them to ourselves… even when they are no longer helpful to us.
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Rewriting the script
Changing the story you tell yourself doesn’t mean ignoring your challenges. It means shining the spotlight on something else: your potential.
Instead of endlessly rehashing the plot of what went wrong, what’s missing, or what you “should” have done by now, you can start focusing on the main character arc. Yours.
– All our stories are still being written – and the really good thing is that you are the one holding the pen or tapping away at the keyboard. You can decide what happens in your next chapter.
One of the tools I use with clients is future visualization. It helps them see, hear and feel the version of themselves they want to become – not just intellectually, but physically. That’s the power of storytelling. It activates your imagination and your emotions. And when those two get on the same page… magic happens.
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Real stories = real impact
When I began writing my book, Step Into Your Spotlight: the TV insider’s guide to feeling confident when all eyes are on YOU! I knew the best way to help readers understand was through honest and relatable stories. I didn’t want it to be a textbook – because I zone out when confronted by pages of stats and facts – but most people love to get stuck into a good story.
And who better to tell the stories than a collection of outwardly confident, familiar faces?
When I interviewed these celebrities and media personalities, they were all eager to share their stories of their behind-the-scenes journeys. Not the polished versions, but the private, real – sometimes embarrassing stuff. The stage fright. The wobbles. The fear. The self-doubt. And then also the unexpected moments of breakthrough and clarity. Telling the whole story of real growth and transformation.
The kind of stories that remind us that confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build.
And those stories, told in their own words, are powerful because people don’t remember bullet points – they remember people.
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Your next chapter starts here
Whether I’m working with clients, giving a talk, or writing an article like this one, I’m still doing what I’ve always done: telling stories to help people connect, understand, and grow.
In my TV career, I helped generations of children to understand and engage with a big world of opportunities. Now, through cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy and confidence coaching, I get to help adults do the same thing.
– Because no matter your age or your circumstances, you always have the option to turn the page.
– You can start a new chapter. You can edit out the bits that don’t serve you anymore.
– You can write the version of you that feels most aligned with who you are now – and who you want to become.
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So, what’s your story?
I encourage you to pause for a moment and ask yourself:
– What story am I telling myself?
– Is it empowering or is it limiting me?
– And if I could write a new chapter, what would I love it to say?
Because the stories we tell ourselves matter. They shape our identity, our confidence, and our choices. But they’re not fixed – they evolve, just like we do.
So next time you catch yourself stuck in an old narrative, remember: this isn’t the end. It’s just a plot twist.
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To be continued…
Name: Annette Williams
Professional Title: Confidence Hypnotherapist
Bio: Annette Williams is a cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist, author and former BBC TV exec. Now she helps women unblock their confidence, overcome fear, and say “yes” to the life they actually want. Founder of Silverbrook Hypnotherapy, Annette believes you’re not starting from scratch – you’re starting from experience.
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