While each of you have a story worth sharing, how many of you know what this story is?
Imagine you are at an event where there are many people you do not know. This might be a networking event for work or maybe a wedding reception where you find yourself in a room with 100 people you don’t know. You feel at relatively at ease, as you are interested in getting to know new people, when all of a sudden you find yourself put on the spot when asked by a stranger “What’s your story?”
How would you respond? Think for a moment and note what first comes to mind. Would you talk about your job and what you do for a living? Or go into great lengths about a vacation you just returned from? Or maybe you are inclined to talk about just how stressed you were in balancing your busy schedule so you could even think of attending the event in the first place!
I’m sure all of you can relate to listening to someone tell their story over lunch, a coffee or maybe it was at a conference, where you soon found yourself bored beyond tears.
While your mind drifted off, you kept one ear open to the conversation ever hoping that the person speaking would offer something that you could relate to. While the story may have been interesting, you failed to connect the dots on what the whole point of it was.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, I know you have also witnessed how it feels when you are listening to someone and your interest is captured right from the start. You find yourself listening intently, following the entire story in anticipation as to how it will end.
There is a definite art to telling your own story.
Everyone is necessarily the hero of his own life story. —John Barth
Truth be told, each of us has a compelling story to tell, one that can inspire and move others into action or into a state of deep self reflection.
We are all heroes in our own right, based on our own life experiences. I like to think of life being similar to a novel, you are the only one who can write your story. No one else has walked in your shoes, had the same life experiences as you and viewed them in the same way as you have.
How do I come up with my own story?
A story needs to have a clear purpose and takeaway for the person(s) you are sharing it with, with a distinct beginning, middle and end point. You want the listener(s) to be left thinking “what have I learned from hearing this?” rather than scratching their heads trying to figure out what really mattered in what they just heard.
There are many benefits to opening up and sharing your story with others and it can be quite powerful:
- You are able to leave a lasting impression with someone who could potentially carry it with them for the rest of their lives. Something that resonates in their heart.
- Stories give a deeper meaning behind what you are saying by making it personal, unique and enriching. They offer an emotional connection that draws people in. Facebook recognized this several years ago when they created a page that allows users to share their own personal story. There are over 2 million likes on this page which tells me they are onto something!
- Stories help you in drawing action towards your goal, whether you be speaking about a cause you care deeply for or you are the CEO of a million dollar company delivering a motivational speech to staff.
- Meaningful and heartfelt stories can take on a life of their own that may draw us to action. As we scroll through the newsfeed on the various social media outlets we are all guilty of having clicked on a link to read more about a story where we have felt an emotional pull. Everyone loves to read story that speaks to something good that is happening in our world.
- Sharing a story may be healing for you, pushing you to move beyond what may be holding you back in life.
- By owning and sharing your own story you may be the voice for others who do not have the same level of comfort to share their story that may have the similar message. Your wisdom that comes from experience helps to strengthen them and it may also give them the courage to begin sharing their story.
Are you stuck on ideas as to where you can start in creating your story? Below are a few life experiences that will have played some role in shaping you into who you are today. These would be a good starting point to explore and may help you in finding your inner voice:
- Parents/family
- Growing up experiences
- School
- Role models
- Career and/or your first job
- Educational path
- Hobbies, interests, talent
- Overcoming obstacles
- Finding your passion in life
Remember, your story is waiting to be told and the world is waiting to hear it.
The next time you are talking to someone, whether it be one person or a large group, look for the opportunity when you can make your message a bit more personal and begin by saying “Let me tell you a little story…..”
There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside of you. —Maya Angelou
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Thank you for the post. I really like the idea of reading about others personal stories. I think it can be really beneficial, and also inspiring in my own life. I wonder if my stories would do the same for someone else. It would be great to read the reactions people would have to my life stories.