27 Oct Tell Your Kick-Ass Story and Influence the World
“Is what you wrote today worth reading about tomorrow?”
-Danny Patterson
No one buys anything without a good story.
Your product won’t sell, you won’t get a date and you’ll be no different than the 100 other people who apply for that dream job–unless you have a story that kicks ass.
So what’s your story? What put you where you are? Made you you? Why would anyone want to hear it?
We all have a kick-ass story that sells right now. You just have to find it and tell it. (read mine at the end of this post)
Right now is the best time to write your story and start getting people to listen.
Your story tells people to pay attention to what you say or read what you write. It’s why they should trust you over the millions of other people saying similar things. The story is crucial. Let’s build it.
Take 15 minutes or even an hour or more to think through the following. I bet you have more to tell than you think.
6 Core steps to building a story that sells:
1. Think about what you’d want to hear. Know what is worth telling and keep to the very best juice you have. We all have boring parts. Would you want to hear those from others? Then leave them out. Think of the things in your life that are unique, that would hook your audience. Maybe an award, quitting a sweet job to pursue a passion, moving out of the country, living off 100 things or less like Everett Bogueor seeking out wild adventures like Tyler Tervooren. Your everyday activities may grab others more than you’d think.
2. What were your best and worst moments? These are the events that form us. They are also the things people want to hear. When were you most proud? You got a job, won a race, picked up on your dream date, sold a company. And even more important, what about the low points? You were rejected, fired or had a business that failed. Every one of these shapes us.
The seemingly awful events at the time can be the most important. There was this dream Product Marketing job I wanted out of university. I busted my ass in all the interviews. I had nailed it. Then I got the rejection call. I was crushed…until I realized I would have never ended up starting a business in Spain the following year if I got the job I thought I wanted. A few experiences like this make rejection a lot less scary. Use them to inspire others.
3. Ask people close to you. They’ll see things you won’t. Ask them to be brutally honest about what they think is most intriguing about your story and your background. Our mind is too biased to think clearly about ourselves. We need the help of those who know us better than anyone. This means your significant other, best friend, boss and family at the least. Be sure they’re honest and not just blowing smoke–that’s why you stick to those really close to you.
4. Take notes. I carry a journal around with me everywhere (My favorite is a Moleskine). A lot of what’s inside are the above ideas. The big events in my life, good and bad, that have shaped me. I spend a few minutes each week keeping track of the prior week’s accomplishments that I’m most proud of, as well as the things that didn’t work out. I review this each year. Your story unfolds every day and you want to capture it all. Keep your experiences in one place. The story will start to become obvious.
5. Start telling it. Don’t miss a chance to share and hone your story. Test different versions out daily if you can–whenever you meet someone new or are asked for a background piece or bio. If you have a website or blog, now’s the time to modify it. Take your 5-10 biggest standouts from the above and stick to those. You’ll have a slightly different version depending on your audience (personal, intimate, professional) and any recent experiences, but the core stays the same.
6. Be Honest. You don’t have to tell it all but be sure what you do tell is true. People will see straight through anything short of genuine. Enough said.
Do things because they make you come alive, not just to build a story.
We often make decisions for their story. “I’ll take this job I hate because it’ll be good on my resume for the job I really want later on.” This thinking is terribly flawed.
Everything we do adds to the tale, but that does not mean we spend our lives building our resumes only to hopefully do what we want later on (especially since later usually doesn’t come).
Do them because they light your hair on fire. Because they excite you and better open up who you are. These are the best additions.
With all this story talk, here’s a taste of mine.
After university, I was rejected from my dream job, so I traveled to Spain to run with the bulls. My 7-week trip turned into a year, where I co-founded an English teaching company for businessmen, and lead tours through Morocco and Portugal on the weekends. Spaniards prioritized enjoyment over money and I realized life did not have to be lived the way it was in the states. I sold the business only to move back and fall into corporate hell, which I couldn’t stand a day over 7 months. I fired myself in search of something I could actually screw up. I stumbled on a preventive health care startup, with a product I actually cared about, and spent two years running their Market Validation team and learning what made a business tick.
Now I wanted something of my own that better leveraged my time, gave me balance, helped others and lit a fire in my belly. So I launched a value investment fund (an area I’d studied for years) in the heart of the 2008/2009 crash. Good thing my fire was lit, because it was a terrifying start, but looking back the timing couldn’t have been better. Working for someone else in the space never crossed my mind because the lack of balance, ethics and wide-spread greed disgusted me (they probably wouldn’t have hired me anyway). I now own my calendar and balance is mine. I couldn’t ask for more two years later.
Meanwhile my desire to learn and help people on a more personal level kept me up at night. I began teaching speed reading and writing and coaching on helping people find their freedom. I’ve since written for some of the biggest blogs and websites out there. My success is measured on whether I can help even one person. So far so good.
I also constantly test physical and mental limits to expand my reality of what’s possible-for myself and my readers. This year has included trying out a vegan diet for a month (I’ve since stuck to 95% of it), running an ultra marathon in barefoot shoes, summiting Mt. Shasta, swimming from Alcatraz and across the San Francisco Bay and gaining 10 lbs of muscle in 90 days with no supplements or meat. Along the journey I bought an engagement ring from Warren Buffett (he owns a sweet jewelry store in Omaha) and married my girlfriend of seven years. This is my greatest success to date.
Now I know the meaning of two valuable concepts: Happiness and Location Independence.
The full version can be found here (halfway down the page).
Own your story. Influence the world.
Once you know your story, the world will feel it. In your voice, in your posture and in your words. You’ll speak with unmatched energy. And this is the biggest influencer of all. A cool site I recently found, Spread Your Influence, has a few more awesome ideas.
When a story is yours and only yours, people will notice and they will listen. Relentless passion is the best competitive advantage known to man. That’s difficult to have without a story you own in your soul.
You have lived the experiences worthy of a book. We all have. It just comes down to choosing the right chapters.
Find your story. Tell it, live it and spread it. The world could use the entertainment.
What’s your story? Tell us in the comments section. This would be an awesome way to get us all fired up. Every story starts with a sentence. Leave one below.
Other Resources to Help You Along the Way:
Be Your Own Most Valuable Brand and Sell Yourself to Anyone: 13 Steps
Discovering Happiness through Purpose in 3 Natural Steps
Chelsea
Posted at 16:10h, 27 OctoberVery helpful to walk us through the steps! Thanks 🙂
Scott
Posted at 17:22h, 27 OctoberMy pleasure. Telling your story is a ton of fun once you realize how interesting it actually is.
Beverly
Posted at 10:45h, 28 OctoberMy life is the amazing adventure it is today, only because I became… and overcame being a raging alcoholic many yesterdays ago. (Thanks for the above tips, Scott – often, the challenge in beginning any journey is knowing where to put your foot when you take that first step!)
Scott
Posted at 17:46h, 28 OctoberNice work on your progress Beverly. Sounds like your on a powerful path. I recently heard a quote regarding where to put your foot, that I thought was fitting: “If you can see a path ahead, you can be sure it’s someone else’s.”
A path is made by walking! Have confidence that the dots will connect looking back because you won’t see them connecting looking forward.
Aimee @ Simple Bites
Posted at 10:53h, 28 OctoberI have so many stories, that I don’t know where to start or which one to share. Thanks for this helpful post, and perhaps, one day, I’ll start writing!
Scott Dinsmore
Posted at 08:57h, 31 OctoberWell at least you know you have the amazing stories Aimee! Now start having some fun with telling them. This can be done any way you want. Casual chatting, writing, speaking, you name it. I’d love to hear a little of yours.
Hyder
Posted at 07:00h, 05 NovemberCome to think of it, why didn’t I write my stories on a blog where millions of people can see. Like many others, I have gone through ups and down. And I believe that the issues, problems that we face make us who we are today.
I think by writing stories about my personal life, I have the power to influence people and make their life better.
Couldn’t get any wiser than changing a person’s life right?
Scott
Posted at 21:23h, 05 DecemberThat’s where it starts and that’s where it ends as far as I’m concerned Hyder!
Nazurah Begum
Posted at 05:59h, 06 NovemberCarrying a journal is a MUST! despite all other hi-tech gadgets, I still feel that a diary and a pen is the most effective tool. Why I say this is because when you write, your handwriting actually reflects the feeling you are having at that point of time. And that reflects yourself! If you know what I mean.
Ifran Bolt
Posted at 06:16h, 06 NovemberI too have many stories to tell. And I’m quite embarrassed to tell it actually. Well here’s one anyway. It’s a story I’m proud to tell but may not be for others. It was april fool, and I thought I wanted to know what my friends would feel if I actually died.
Hence, I made the best april fool’s prank where I actually made a scenario that I was dead. And the reaction by my classmates was shocking! Some cried. When I could not take their tears, I finally decided to tell the truth and it was just a prank. Boy, was I hated back then. Hehe
Amy Piper
Posted at 06:31h, 06 NovemberLike the saying goes, Honesty is BEST policy!
To have a successful friendship, it’s important to be honest with your friends. To be honest with your friends, you need to open a line of dialogue where everyone feels comfortable communicating about their feelings. You’ll also need to learn how to admit your own flaws and mistakes. Having open and honest friendships is a great idea, and will help your friendships grow stronger and closer.
Graham Phoenix
Posted at 20:45h, 08 NovemberYesterday I wrote My Story and I was amazed at the reactions. Scott, you are right about telling stories and your outline on going about it is very helpful. I loved reading your story and look forward to reading more.
Scott
Posted at 21:25h, 05 DecemberThanks for stopping by Graham and congrats on putting together an exciting story yourself. We all have one. Just have to find the right way to tell it!
Stick around for more fun. We’re just getting started!
Rachel Denning
Posted at 23:52h, 08 NovemberOur story- quit the corporate job, sold everything (including my wedding ring) to pursue our passion of traveling the world (with 4 kids).
Drove through Mexico & Central America, lived in Costa Rica and Dominican Republic.
Failed financially, and failed again, lost everything, nearly had to declare bankruptcy, found the perfect job living abroad in India, but then ‘lost’ it when we found out #5 was on the way.
Never gave up. Now making our own ‘job’, location independent style, and making plans for a tour through South America.
See our story here http://ow.ly/36CFs
Thanks for this great post!
Scott
Posted at 21:26h, 05 DecemberNow that is inspiration Rachel! Hat’s of to a life well lived. And I know you are just getting started. Please continue to share the adventure with us. The world needs it!
Farzad
Posted at 12:11h, 12 NovemberScott, thank you for this great article.
What’s interesting is that our stories are a reflection of people that we deal with and encounter. So it’s really not “one story”, but also stories of those who shaped us in one way or another, and stories of those that we inspired, affected, and touched.
Scott
Posted at 21:27h, 05 DecemberSo true Farzad. Our life is a reflection of the people who surround us. No one story stands alone. Right on!
Angela Schaefers
Posted at 12:36h, 12 Novemberhello Scott- great article hitting the key points of the value in sharing our story.
On my own journey I discovered that sharing my personal story of overcoming obstacles and challenges since childhood and finding myself facing stage IV cancer was healing for me and a great encouragement and inspiration for others.
My first book about ‘my story’ was a catalyst to the creation of Your Story Matters radio show, where I share my story and others around the world of overcoming things such as addiction, poverty, illness, disability etc.
It is amazing how many stories out there are unknown and those things that others have learned from their own journey and can share to help many are not publicized. Yet the media floods the world with stories of those people deemed “famous” & “influential” based on statistical data.
Your Story Matters radio show is here to break down the cultural, influential and other barriers that prevent stories of courage, hope and faith of being shared globally!
And all because I realized my story mattered!
Scott
Posted at 21:30h, 05 DecemberNow this is EPIC stuff Angela. Creating a career out of sharing your story and encouraging others to do the same. That is life changing work indeed. Nicely done. I’m officially inspired.
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Sean
Posted at 22:48h, 28 AprilWow! Very well written Scott! I feel like I could quote every word in your last few lines! I really appreciate your own story.
I like how you mentioned basically to not put things of for a potential return. I think the time is always now to do what you love. Fortunately, I can now walk the walk instead of sitting in a cubicle reading this post and driving myself nuts desperate to be free.
Thanks again for the great post!
PS – Last summer my wife and I summited Mt. Shasta too. It was an awesome experience!
John Bardos - JetSetCitizen
Posted at 13:59h, 13 JuneBusinesses focus on Universal Selling Propositions (USP) but I think stories are much more powerful.
My story is:
*After university and some failed startups, I left Canada with no job, no visa and $1000 to my name.
*Got married, started a new company and lived in Japan for 14 years.
*Got tired of a consumption focused life so made a one year plan on my blog to change careers and countries.
*Left Japan and now live a nomadic life with few possessions.
*Only working on projects I enjoy with lots of time for exercise, hobbies, family and friends.
Great Post!
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Damien
Posted at 03:52h, 12 OctoberHi Scott !
I discovered your blog just days ago and I wish for you a LOT of success, you truely deserve it.
I just want to thank you for this post.
I’m involved in self-growth (well in living we should say) since years, I have an habit of journalling, but I never wrote my story in the way you encourage to do since then.
Well I did it (in french, my mother tongue) and I realize it is beautiful. 🙂
Still I can’t join my WHY with my daily work but I’m confident and persistent and I know I come closer day after day.
Again : thank you Scott ! 🙂
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