Since the beginning of time, humans have used stories to educate, entertain, empower and inspire.
There has been a lot of research done on story telling and the results show that memory is increased when information is presented in a story format.
Then there is the power of emotion.
You take people on a journey that makes them laugh or cry or, even better, both and you will understand the power of story.
To paraphrase Maya Angelou, people might not remember what you said but they will remember how you made them feel.
If you open up, and share in a vulnerable and authentic way, you will connect with your audience and they will trust you. Then, you can sell them anything.
Is it just me or does that seem a tad manipulative?
This whole share “who you are and all of the bad things that happened to you” seemed like complete bullshit to me. I mean, who cares what happened to you in your childhood or last week in the grocery store. Just tell me what you can do for me.
You see, I was the person who believed if you worked hard enough, you would be successful. You didn’t need to get all weak and sappy. Just work hard. Eventually, people will trust you, do business with you and you will be successful.
I was working so hard to get people to know me and trust me, I had the whole jazz hands going on and was running on the treadmill as fast as I could at the same time. I thought if I ran fast enough, I would impress enough people. I found out THAT was bullshit.
Well, not at first.
I ran fast enough to achieve remarkable success. I just couldn’t sustain it.
I had a complete and thorough breakdown. I was completely burnt out.
I thought, what am I doing wrong?
Then I had a breakthrough.
I was working too hard to get people to know me, understand me and trust me because I wouldn’t be vulnerable or weak. I was a hard ass. I was a professional. I went above and beyond. But, I wouldn’t let people in. I needed them to see who I really was.
So, I told my story.
I told the icky, feel-like-a-complete-woowoo, I- am-risking-all-credibility kind of story and everything changed.
I spoke from the soul.
And you could hear a pin drop.
You see, I went through a period of time when… and I woke up one morning and had no feeling at all in my arms. I was paralyzed. Talk about a wake up call.
And it was then that I knew I had to change everything.
My physical recovery was eighteen months long.
My spiritual recovery took a little longer.
But, because I put in the work, both the inner work and the external work, I am now at a place where my insides match my outside.
And the one thing I know for sure is that you cannot have sustained success in anything…personal or business…without being clear about who you are.
Never be afraid to tell your story. It could make all the difference in the world to someone.
You have the ability to make a difference.
Your soul story can make an impact on one person and it can make an impact on the world.
It can help you in your business as it sets you up as a trusted expert, it can spread an idea that inspires change.
It can educate people who are challenged by the same roadblock you conquered.
It can inspire people to better themselves, and it can help people feel like they are not alone.
Your soul story helps people determine whether you are someone they want to hang out with and be a part of your tribe.
It is your differentiator and their identifier.
If your story is truthful and authentic, there is nothing salesy about it because it is only relevant to those who care and connect on that level.
No one can hear your story if it is disjointed, stuttered over, or silent.
Never be afraid to tell your story.
It could make all the difference in the world to someone.
I want you to have a talk that can be a 90 minute workshop, 30 minute keynote, five second micro-talk or thirty second intro based on your unique soul story that allows people to know you and trust you.
Because people buy YOU, not your stuff.
I can help you. Let’s make it happen.