Rewriting the Narrative: What Neuroscience Teaches Us About Growth

Your brain is always hard at work, turning scattered experiences into a cohesive story. But here’s the catch: what if some of those stories weren’t true?

In their book Mind Your Mindset, Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller recount a remarkable case from neuroscience that demonstrates just how far our brains will go to make sense of things. It’s a story that could reshape the way you approach your goals, relationships, and self-perception in the year ahead.

The Story of P.S. and the Split Brain

In the 1960s, neuroscientist Michael Gazzaniga studied patients who had undergone a radical medical procedure to sever the corpus callosum—the dense bundle of nerves connecting the brain’s left and right hemispheres. While extreme by today’s standards, this surgery was a last-resort treatment for severe epilepsy. It also gave scientists a rare chance to explore how the brain’s two sides operate independently.

One patient, known as P.S., provided a fascinating insight into how our brains work. Researchers flashed instructions—like “stand” or “wave”—to P.S.’s right brain, ensuring instructions were only seen by the eye connected to that hemisphere. P.S. followed the instructions, but his left brain, which governs speech, had no idea why.

When asked why he acted, P.S.’s left brain didn’t admit ignorance. Instead, it invented reasons: “I thought I saw a friend,” or “I needed to stretch.”

Gazzaniga discovered that the left brain acts as the primary storyteller, driven by an unrelenting need to make sense of personal experience—even if it has to make things up. As he put it,

“This is what our brain does all day long. It takes input... and synthesizes it into a story that makes sense.”

Here’s the interesting thing: this isn’t limited to people with split brains. It’s how all of our brains work - synthesising what happens into a story that makes sense. And while this helps us navigate life, it also means we sometimes tell ourselves stories that are completely wrong.

What Does That Mean For Us?

Gazzaniga’s discovery isn’t just a scientific curiosity—it’s a window into how our brains shape the way we see the world. Here are five ways to apply this insight to grow in meaningful ways:

1. Humans Are Meaning-Making Creatures

Our brains are hardwired to seek meaning. As Bessel A. Van der Kolk writes The Body Keeps the Score:

“Humans are meaning-making creatures”

But our drive for meaning can lead us to create stories that aren’t accurate. Recognizing how quickly we jump from observation to explanation is the first step to challenging those automatic narratives. Pause. Ask yourself: is the story I’m telling myself definitely true? Are there other possibilities?

2. We’re Experts At Rationalising Our Own Behaviour

Like P.S., we often explain our actions in ways that align with how we want to see ourselves—or how we want others to see us. If we struggle to assess our own behavior accurately, why do we assume we can perfectly understand others?

In 2025, give yourself and others grace. Instead of jumping to conclusions, approach situations with curiosity. What might be the story behind the story?

3. Our Assessment of Actions is Coloured by Personal Experience

When I run intercultural intelligence training, I often use an activity called “Describe, Interpret, Respond.” Participants practice observing a situation without immediately assigning meaning. It’s challenging because we naturally leap to interpretation - especially if we’re in leadership roles.

But skipping the pause to consider differences in culture, experiences, or context can lead to misunderstanding. Before assigning meaning, ask yourself: What am I assuming here? Could there be another explanation? Could differences in background be a factor?

4. Reflection Unlocks Clarity

Reflection is a powerful tool for growth. Regularly journaling around prompts that force us to reflect on why we reacted the way we did, or took a certain decision, can help us challenge our assumptions and uncover deeper truths. As Brené Brown reminds us,

“Owning our story can be hard, but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it.”

5. Cultivate An Environment for Success

The story of P.S. reminds us that our actions can be heavily influenced by environmental cues—even ones we’re not conscious of. Your environment isn’t just a backdrop; it actively shapes your decisions.

Be intentional about creating environments that support your goals. Declutter your workspace, keep healthy habits visible, and minimize distractions. Thoughtfully designing your surroundings can help align your actions with your aspirations.

6. Don’t Limit Your Goals Based on Yesterday’s Stories

As you plan for 2025, remember that your mindset—and the stories you tell yourself about your past—aren’t static. Reflect on whether the meaning you’ve assigned to your past actions is accurate or if it’s holding you back.

Carol Dweck, author of the classic book Mindset: Changing the Way You Think To Fulfill Your Potential, writes

“Becoming is better than being. The fixed mindset does not allow people the luxury of becoming. They have to already be.”

This year, let’s embrace the growth mindset. Challenge old stories, and stay open to new possibilities.

Final Thoughts

Your brain’s storytelling ability is both a gift and a challenge. It helps you navigate life but also has the potential to mislead you. By questioning your narratives, embracing reflection, and creating environments that support growth, you can step into 2025 with clarity and purpose.

The stories you tell yourself shape your life. Let’s make them the right ones.