What is your 2021 Myth Change?

​By: Floyd Carlson

As 2020 came to an end, many are ready to create a new Myth or story for 2021. In doing so we can take advantage of what Katie Milkman, professor at The Wharton School of Business and creator of the Choiceology podcast, calls the “fresh start effect.”

Her research suggests that the best time to break the status quo and create new habits is during key temporal moments, such as the start of the new year, a holiday, birthday, job or month. Tapping into times associated with change increases our ability to create a new story.

In Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC™), myth does not mean an untruth. It is used in the same way that Joseph Campbell uses this word in The Hero’s Journey, indicating the deep meaning within relationships. Alternative words can shape our story, narrative or perception of how things have been.

Here in the United States, we are experiencing a myth change involving our political and social systems. As systems undergo an identity crisis during a myth change, they will need help to stabilize. An entirely new myth, story or narrative may be required. Where do we as a collective begin when our story is not working? Through relationships, the weaving of “we-ness” of who we are together. Tools like myth change and others can enable these conversations and help formulate the new creation of what is possible for the relationship we want now.

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