Why Stories?

June 15, 2017

Stories speak volumes why stories?

It occurs to me as I write this that we are surrounded. By dozens and hundreds and thousands of invisible, powerful, ever-changing things.

By air molecules and dust spores, yes. By tiny single-celled organisms that live in our eyelashes and intestines, true. (And, yuck!)

But that’s not what I mean.

We are surrounded by stories.

Don’t believe me?

There’s the story of why I’m writing this, why you’re reading this, what you hope to get out of it, what you’ll do when you’re done…

There’s the story of the chair you’re sitting on, the clothes you’re wearing, how you are feeling today, where you will take your next vacation, where you’d like to be two or twelve or twenty years from now…

There’s the story of your broken heart, your bank account, your dreams and ambition, that scar on your knee, why you named your kid “Rocko,” what will happen when you go to CVS later to buy toothpaste…

“But, Story Lady!” you say, “Going to CVS to buy toothpaste is not an interesting story.”

Well, I didn’t say every story was interesting. Maybe it will be.

Who knows what will happen when you go to CVS?  I once bumped into Ben Vereen in CVS…

But this much I do know… we are surrounded by stories, enveloped by those past and ready to unfold those of the future.

So, what does this have to do with work?

Everything.

Your business tells a story about the product or services it sells and markets. It tells a story to its employees about what it means to work there. Employees have their own stories about what it means to work there. Sometimes those stories differ.

Your resume is a story, your elevator pitch is a story, every time you think about asking for a raise or a promotion or a new assignment you are already telling yourself a story about why you do or don’t deserve it and what will happen if you do or don’t get it.

So. Many. Stories.

But, what does this have to do with me?

That’s for you to figure out. After all, it’s your story.

You are your own central character. What adventures await?

OK, Story Lady, I’m listening…

If you’re interested in learning how to tell better stories you work with a speech coach.

If you’re interested in learning how to write better stories you work with a writing coach or an editor.

And while I can help with both of those things, what I can do most of all is show you how to take command of your stories.

It’s why I created “What’s Your Story? Storytelling Secrets for Success,” my signature workshop. Participants dig into past stories for meaning, reframe and rewrite old or unhelpful ones, and plan the plot points for successful and satisfying next chapters.

There is so much more to your story than the page you keep re-reading.

It’s your story.  What happens next?

Make it a page-turner!

Valerie gordon your story matters web why stories?

Valerie Gordon is an award-winning television producer, lifelong storyteller, and the founder of career and communication firm, The Storytelling Strategist. She helps audiences and clients find the power in their stories and how to present them for greater impact and influence. See her list of services, read more from the blog, and follow her on LinkedIn

Blog Archive