“Storytelling is our obligation to the next generation. If all we are doing is marketing, we are doing a disservice, and not only to our profession, but to our children, and their children. Give something of meaning to your audience by inspiring, engaging, and educating them with story. Stop marketing. Start storytelling.”
–Laura Holloway
What do you think of when you are asked the question, “What is your story?”
Do you think of yourself as the hero of your story? Do you think of the world and the numerous stories around you? Do you ponder the existence of something more? Do you think back on memories, good or bad?
Whatever your mind comes up with in response to that question, I want to be clear… You. Have. A. Story.
You, in all your wonder, brilliance, passion, inspiration, and drive, have a story to tell. You have the power inside you to inspire and drive positive change.
However.
I want to pause, as your story is not the one I want to focus on today. I would like to introduce your to a word.
Sonder.
Noun. The feeling one has on realizing that every other individual one sees has a life as full and real as one’s own, in which they are the central character and others, including oneself, have secondary or insignificant roles: In a state of sonder, each of us is at once a hero, a supporting cast member, and an extra in overlapping stories.
Every individual that you encounter has their own story. I want to shift our focus from our personal stories to the stories that surround us. We often get stuck in our little world and story, so much so that we forget to care about the impact of those around us. We fail to live and enjoy the words, lyrics, fantasy, reality, and stories surrounding our everyday lives.
Sometimes, we are so focused on what we are doing in our lives that we forget to even think about, let alone ask about, our coworker’s third cousin’s wedding that they went to over the weekend. Thus, we miss out on seeing the beautiful pictures and the story of how they introduced the couple as their third cousin had not met the love of their life if our coworker was not best friends with their new spouse.
Furthermore, we get sucked into the lack of a work-life balance. We go to work. We come home. The next day rolls around. We go to work. We realize that we forgot to call and check on our mom. We forgot about our kid’s recital. We get so wrapped up in the day-to-day that we miss out on the stories around us to the point that we have lost our own stories.
So, I ask you again. What is your story?
Is it time that you refocus the narrative of your story and shift your perspective? Is it time to remove the blinders and focus on the intertwining stories of the world around you?
This is for you, your business, your employees, and your family members. Let’s refocus on the full story rather than only our own.
- Dacey
